42 Modern Riding and Horse Education 



is possible with even the straight-legged seat. This 

 gives the horse increased power of propulsion, and 

 the crouching attitude adopted by the rider reduces 

 wind-pressure to a minimum. I have been told by 

 a well-known owner that, rogues go better if ridden 

 in this manner, which would seem to point to the 

 fact that it is more comfortable for the horse for a 

 short distance. 



This is the bright side of the picture, but no one 

 can say that the American seat is an easy one; the 

 only part of the rider's body to touch the saddle is 

 his leg from the knee downwards, and all his grip- 

 ping must be done with this surface alone. Balance 

 is rendered extremely difficult, and the same may be 

 said of the use of the lower part of the leg. A few 

 jockeys can spur their horses, but the majority 

 merely punish the flaps, and it is not uncommon 

 after a race to find spur-marks in front of the 

 saddle. It is obvious that with no support to either 

 the thighs or the seat, all but the very best riders 

 must depend largely on the reins for maintaining 

 their balance, and must lose the greater part of tlicir 

 control over shifty, uncertain, or awkward horses. 

 It is much harder to use the whip when this seat 



