IN THE SADDLE. 21 



to. Take the proper position in tlie saddle, with the 

 whole inner part of the thighs, as far down as the knees, 

 pressing firmly and immoTably against the saddle, and 

 the legs below the knees hanging vertically — the toes 

 pointing a little downward. Then have the stirrup- 

 leathers so adjusted that the irons will just touch the 

 hollows of the feet, giving them support without raising 

 their position. There will then be no danger that the 

 stirrups will disturb the seat, either by raising the knees 

 or by the effort of the rider to reach down to them when 

 the straps are too long, while by drawing back the feet, 

 so that their balls rest on the irons, a leverage will be 

 given — ^from the balls of the feet to the ankle joints — 

 that will be sufficient to maintain an even pressure, even 

 if the person is thrown a little from the saddle by the 

 movement of the horse. As men's legs and their arms 

 are generally of proportionate length, and as the stirrups 

 are usually fastened a certain distance down on the sides 

 of the saddle, the stirrups are of the proper length when 

 the whole length of leathers and irons is a trifle less than 

 that of the arm and hand ; that is, lay the tips of the 

 fingers on the band of the leathers where they pass 

 around the bolt on the saddle-tree, and draw the irons 

 toward the arm-pit. If they just touch the muscle 

 under the shoulder-blade (not reaching away into the 

 ribs), the straps are usually of the right length. 



In ordinary riding, it is best to have the ball of the 



foot touch the stirrups, as the play of the ankle-joint 



gives more elasticity to the support ; but in rough gal- 



n loping or leaping, it is best to "drive the feet home," 



and carry the stirrup in the hollows. Especially must 



