86 . EQUITATION AND HOKSE TRAINING. 



The German regulations give the same instructions as 

 the Austrian. (See also paragraph 247, U. S. Cavalry 

 Drill Regulations.) 



When the stirrups are too long, the rider is said to be 

 on his crotch (fork seat) ; he loses all stability ; his legs flap 

 about the sides of the horse and act with neither strength 

 nor accuracy. 



When the stirrups are too short, they support more 

 than the weight of the legs; they raise the knees and 

 thighs and force the seat back. The trooper is then said 

 to be hung up, and, although he has a stronger support 

 in the stirrups, he is less secure, because he is not so far 

 down in the saddle. Moreover, the legs necessarily be- 

 come rigid; they lose all freedom of movement and in 

 consequence all nicety (of action as aids). 



The stirrups, then, should be neither too long nor too 

 short. But of the two faults the latter is the more serious ; 

 a trooper can shorten his stirrups without anxiety, where- 

 as he feels a certain reluctance about lengthening them. 

 It is to be noticed that the man who loses his suppleness or 

 his confidence always has a tendency to diminish the 

 length of his stirrup straps. 



Position of the foot in the stirrup. — ^At least one-third 

 of the foot should be inserted into the stirrup; the heel 

 should be slightly lower than the toe; the part of the sole 

 of the foot included between the joint of the great toe 

 and the little toe (ball of the foot) should rest upon the 

 tread. 



The support should be secured mainly on the inside 

 portion of the foot ; this method results in closing the knee 

 and holding the lower leg in proper position. 



