MAN'S SEAT. 21 



the enemy, because it helps them to avoid being displaced by 

 the shock. With this seat, it is difficult to keep close to the 

 horse when he changes from the canter to the trot. In con- 

 clusion, I may point out that a rider who has a good seat sits 

 on a saddle in the same manner as he would do on a chair. 



When the rider uses stirrups, his toes ought to be higher 

 than his heels. Without stirrups, the feet ought to fall 

 naturally, and consequently the toes will be lower than the 

 heels. We may see that with the feet out of the stirrups, it is 

 impossible to keep the toes up without contracting (stiffening) 

 the muscles of the legs. In Germany, pupils are taught to keep 

 the toes higher than the heels, when riding without stirrups, 

 which practice gives German horsemen their characteristic 

 stiffness. I am aware that Germans are naturally stiff. Even 

 a Frenchman made to ride in that manner would become 

 stiff 



The length of the stirrups should be proportionate to that 

 of the legs. The traditional plan of measuring the length of 

 the stirrups by that of the arm, affords a useful approxima- 

 tion which one has always to rectify when mounted. To do 

 this, it is necessary to take the feet out of the stirrups and to 

 leave the legs hanging down. Then the stirrup leathers will 

 be the correct length when the " tread " of the iron comes 

 just below the ankle joint. It is generally recommended to 

 keep the foot in contact with the internal side of the stirrup 

 iron. I place my foot at an equal distance from both sides of 

 the iron. We can give great suppleness to the ankle joints by 

 working them in various directions, and can then let go or 

 pick up the irons very easily. In the open I ride with the 

 leathers one hole shorter than in the school, and then obtain 

 a better support in quick paces, especially when rising at the 

 trot. In the manege one requires to have the legs lower 

 down than in the open, so as to get the legs round the horse, 

 and it is also necessary to be entirely on the buttocks, in 



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