USE OF THE LEG IN RIDING. 113 



man to use in riding" are those which are situated 

 on the inside of the calf of the leg, and not those 

 at the back of the calf. Now, these muscles are, in 

 the majority of people, latent ; but I do not say 

 with everyone. If the support given by the use 

 of a knee-roll is taken away, it is evident that a 

 greater strain must be laid on the muscles of the 

 leg ; but anyhow, in all cases, the side-muscles 

 should be used — in other words, the leg and foot of 

 the rider should be fiat to his horse's side, and it 

 should be kept well back in its place, and never 

 allowed to swing forward. If such is the case, a 

 horse is very likely to get spurred on the shoulder 

 when jumping. If these side-muscles are braced, 

 the muscles above the knee, the thigh-muscles, must 

 be braced also, though it is not inversely so, as the 

 thigh-muscles may be braced and yet those in the 

 lower part of the leg may be comparatively idle ; 

 but in order to secure a good, firm, and elegant 

 seat (and the latter will usually follow the former), 

 the grip of the saddle should be maintained 

 by the whole of the leg, thereby distributing 

 the pressure required, and minimizing the fatigue 

 of any particular set of muscles. Now, if the sup- 

 port given by the knee-roll be taken away, there 

 must be a tendency (in most people) for the leg to 

 go forward ; and in order to prevent this, a greater 



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