44 THE HORSEMAN. 



necessity of passing abruptly from one extreme to an- 

 other. 



Were the rider to go at once from a firm hand to a 

 slack one, the horse would be deprived of the support to 

 which he trusted, and consequently be precipitated on 

 his shoulders so as to stumble or fall. On the contrary, 

 were he to change suddenly and abruptly from a slack 

 rein to a tight one, he would not only injure the horse's 

 mouth, but throw him upon his haunches with a shock, 

 and perhaps fling himself over his head. 



SECTION XVI. The use of the Stirrups and how to be 

 adjusted. 



The stirrup is intended only to support the weight of 

 the leg, enable the rider to mount and dismount, and, in 

 extreme cases, to assist him in regaining) not maintain- 

 ing his equilibrium. 



It should hang with the eye inside and the flat sides of 

 the leather against the saddle skirts ; and when the ri- 

 der's foot is in it, the flat side, instead of the edge of the 

 leather, should be next to his leg, always placing the 

 foot in from the outside of the iron. 



When the rider stands erect in the stirrups, the space 

 between his fork or crotch, and the seat of the saddle, 

 should be four inches or the breadth of his hand. 





