THE LENGTH OF THE STIRRUP 31 



would be necessary to be riding the customary 

 " hunting" length. 



Let us now study diagram IV. The line A B 

 represents the direction of the force of impact. 



Jar absorbed by 

 action of knee joint 



Action of ankles ^ ^ 

 a further shocK adsorber] -^ 



Knee forced by impact to 

 this position 



b 



Point of impact 



Dligram IV 



The point B is where the horse's fore foot meets 

 the ground. (The principle is the same whether 

 trotting, galloping or jumping. But as the points 

 are more clearly brought out in the latter, we will 

 assume the horse to be landing over a fence.) 

 Now, it will be noticed, if my readers will look at 

 any of the sketches or photographs representing a 



