Riding and Driving, by 'Stonehenge' - Softcover

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1863 edition. Excerpt: ... HOW TO SIT WHEN GALLOPING. 37 totally distinct paces, as different as walking and running in the human subject. There is, however, the same variation in the leading leg, and the same mode of compelling the lead of one particular leg, as well as of causing the change of lead, though it is much more difficult to effect these objects in the faster pace than in the slower one. The Proper Seat In The Gallop is either to sit down in the saddle or to stand in the stirrups, according to circumstances. The former is the usual seat, and it is only in racing or in the very fast gallop at other times that the latter is adopted. In sitting down, the feet may be either resting on the ball of the toe, as in the other paces, or with the stirrup "home" to the boot, as is common in all field-riding. The body is thrown easily and slightly back, the knees take firm hold, the rider being careful not to grip so tight as to distress the horse, which fault I have known very muscular men often commit. The hands should be low, with sufficient pull at the mouth to restrain him, but not to annoy and make him "fight;" and if he is inclined to get his head down too much, or the reverse, they must be raised or lowered accordingly. When the standing in the stirrups is to be practised, the weight is thrown upon them, steadying it with the knees, which should keep firm hold of the saddle-flaps. The seat of the body is carried well back, while at the same time the loin is thrown forwards; but by this combined action the weight is not hanging over the shoulder of the horse, as it would be and often is, when the breech is raised from the saddle and brought almost over the pommel, with the eyes of the rider looking down his horse's forehead, or very nearly so. If a jockey...