Though this is called rising in the stirrups, no great stress or
dependence is to be put on them. Such improper use of the stirrups
causes many persons to be thrown, by the horse shying or suddenly
turning round. The rising of the body must not be accompanied by any
motion of the arms, or lifting of the shoulders. The hand is to be held
steady as well as low, to prevent galloping (which the forwardness of
the haunches would render inevitable if the hand were either eased or
lifted), and the reins should be of that precise length which preserves
as much correspondence as possible between the hand and mouth. The
steadiness of the hand is also necessary for the support of the horse.
The slight inclination of the body permitted in road riding must not
occasion any roundness in the back, which is invariably to be hollow,
not only for appearance sake but for safety. The action of the body
likewise must not cause the legs to move or press the horse, which
might cause him to gallop. In trotting, the rider must pay the greatest
attention to correct every propensity to lift, hitch, overrate, or
gallop; and, whenever he feels these propensities, he must check them
with the greatest nicety, in order not to retard the horse’s speed. (Pl
XXXIX. f. 2 illustrates the Seat, &c., in Road Riding.[68])
[68] In road riding, the rule of taking the right hand of all you
pass is well known; but there are some exceptions, which are thus
noticed by Mr. Bunbury, in his ironical style:--
“In riding the road, should a man on horseback be in your way leading
another horse, always dash by the led one; you might otherwise set
the man’s horse capering, and perhaps throw him off; and you can
get but a kick or two by observing my instructions.--In passing a
waggon, or any tremendous equipage, should it run pretty near a bank,
and there be but a ditch, and an open country on the other side,
if you are on business, and in a hurry, dash up the bank without
hesitation; for, should you take the other side, and the horse shy
at the carriage, you may be carried many hundred yards out of your
road; whereas, by a little effort of courage, you need only graze the
wheel, fly up the bank, and by slipping or tumbling down into the
road again, go little or nothing out of your way.”