MODERN RIDING. 



285 



other times, are of little service ; the emula- 

 tion and eagerness of horses will carry them 

 beyond what they can hold ; and the whip or 

 spurs discourage, if too much or injudiciously 

 applied. 



You will observe in the hunting and racing 

 systems of riding, that pressing the feet in 

 the stirrups to increase your pull, is not 

 allowable if it can be avoided, but particu- 

 larly in racing ; for you must thereby con- 

 siderably increase your weight or pressure 

 on the saddle. Though it is called riding in 

 the stirrups, when you ride properly, the stir- 

 rups sustain a very inconsiderable weight; 

 and when the horse is extended and pulls 

 fair, you may ride in the same position with- 

 out the stirrups and the grasp with the knees, 

 and the pull of the horse will keep your 

 position steady. 



Having pointed out what operates to the 

 advantage and disadvantage of the horse's 

 speed, the rest must be left to that practice 



