THE HORSEMAN. 45 



SECTION XVII. Position of the Foot in the stirrup. 



The foot should be inserted about one-third of its 

 length, or the ball resting upon the bottom iron; the 

 heel should be about an inch lower than the toe, and the 

 foot parallel to the horse's side. 



By keeping the heel below the toe, the foot remains 

 in the stirrup without effort ; and the horse is more se- 

 cure from the constant pricking of the spur. 



If the stirrup is too long, or the foot not inserted far 

 enough, it cannot support the weight of the leg ; besides, 

 the rider runs the risk of losing it at every sudden move- 

 ment of the horse. If the foot is too far through, the leg 

 cannot be supported. 



The practice of standing' and rising in the stirrups is 

 common in turf and road riding ; and as there is but the 

 . one simple movement of the horse, " going a-head" on 

 level ground, an ordinary horseman can sit him with ap- 

 parent skill and security to himself; but the accomplish- 

 ed and scientific horseman alone can conform and ac- 

 commodate himself to the violent and sometimes unex- 

 pected counteractions of the animal in leaping, turning, 

 halting, shying, &c. 



SECTION XVIII. The use of the Spurs, and where to be 

 applied. 



Spurs can be employed only with much safety and ad- 

 vantage by accomplished horsemen. When the spurs 





