32 HINTS ON HORSEMANSHIP 



horse and rider under similar conditions, that the 

 line of the thigh is in almost exact continuation 

 of the line of that leg which the horse is putting 

 to the ground first. In other words, the line A B 

 is composed of the rider's thigh as well as the 

 horse's leg {vide sketch No 15). 



Now, as the force of impact occurs it drives the 

 thigh downwards along that line, causing the knee 

 (which must be pointed) to slide from the point C 

 to the point D. The foot should remain in the 

 same position, taking the full weight of the body on 

 the stirrup leather, which is always perpendicular. 

 As the shock occurs, the muscles of the knee joint 

 come into play, forming a spring, which absorbs 

 all the shock, so that the body is entirely unaffected. 



If the rider happens to be riding with his irons 

 on the ball of his feet (as showTi in the diagram), 

 a second and almost equally effective spring is 

 brought into play in the ankle joint. Here, again, 

 as the knee is depressed, so is the heel, acting as 

 a double shock absorber for the body. 



Unless our stirrups, therefore, are short enough 

 to enable us to keep our knees pointed at this 

 moment, then we are riding too long. It is not 

 a rule of thumb, but of experiment, varying with 

 different horses under varying conditions, and the 

 stirrups must be adjusted accordingly. But having 

 satisfied oneself with these conditions, the stirrups 

 then should be as long as possible. 



Were I asked to express the whole question 

 axiomatically, I would say "keep your knees 

 pointed always." 



