February 28.

Ian Grant Cumming and his partner Helen do not sit deep, safe, nor

indeed happily in the saddle (Weekender, February 28). Helen's feet are

full home in the sturrups with toes pointing to the ground, a dangerous

practice should a stumble or fall occur.

Ian Grant Cumming's right foot is similarly full home in the stirrup

and while his left foot appears to be properly positioned (the ball of

the foot in contact with the stirrup bar), his left stirrup leather is

obviously at least three inches longer than his right -- not a

comfortable combination either for horse or rider.

I would say to both that they must sit deep in the saddle, that is to

say the seat bones or ischium ought, on a well-designed and properly

fitted saddle, to be situated somewhere about the fifteenth vertebra of

the horse. Then:

Your head and your heart keep

up,

Your heels and your hands keep

down,

Your knees keep close to your

horse's sides,

And your elbows close to your

own.

Should they follow this advice they will have found a base upon which

to build a secure, independent, general-purpose seat.

Walter T. Hogg,

141 Kingswood Drive,

Glasgow.