io8 Seats and Saddles, 



military leader on a horse in the position in which 

 grooms used to ride to water? It disgusts, from being 

 altogether out of character. 



But, as we have shown, the safety of the horse's back 

 and the life of the rider — that is to say, the efficiency of 

 the cavalry — depend altogether on perfect equilibrium ; 

 and this, we take it, is a much higher consideration than 

 appearance. Fortunately, however, what is really good 

 and to the purpose does please the eye in this as in many 

 other matters. Lastly, far from thinking that a good 

 method of riding to hounds is incompatible with, or an- 

 tagonistic to, ^ good system of military riding, we be- 

 lieve that the former has been of great use to the latter 

 in emancipating it to a certain extent from the pedantry 

 of the old haute ecole^ and laying the foundation for the 

 modern S3'stem of "• campaign riding," which is better 

 adapted to our present cavalry tactics. And, after all, 

 there is not so much difference between a good hunting 

 and di good military seat as many people suppose ; nor 

 should they, on the other hand, bo considered identical, 

 as many others believe, the objects to be attained and 

 the means being different. And this is quite certain, 

 that the wash-ball seat" is just as useless for the one as 

 '' tongs across a wall " is for the other. Exaggeration 

 spoils good riding, as it will the best argument, and is 

 ridiculous into the bargain. 



