I have a question for riders!

[mme_hardy]

This is famed courtesan Cora Pearl and Prince Achille Murat in an 1865 posed studio photograph. You will notice that Prince Achille's legs are nearly straight, and stretched forward of the saddle. Is this a French thing, or was it the proper seat all over Europe? And when did it change, do you know?

Comments

[green_knight]

I've not come across it in French riding, but this is reminiscent of James Fillis, who was trained by a student of François Baucher. (For all his faults, Baucher's leg position is not as horrible.)

It's at best a brief phase, reminiscent of the old-style hunting seat (which one still occasionally spots in Horse and Hound), though there you'd expect shorter stirrups. Don't think I've ever seen a picture posed like this. The horse looks remarkably happy, given his seat.

[mme_hardy]

Yeah, her horse is definitely discovering an urgent appointment elsewhere. Without her.

[clanwilliam]

I don't think that's her horse. I think someone's trying to flog a pretty nag with awful conformation.

[mme_hardy]

Thank you!

[clanwilliam]

That's standard and still used, but less extremely. The modern seat, aka the forward or Caprilli seat, really only came in the early 20th century, ideal for jumping.

That seat is still best for Aussie stock saddles (which ironically are brilliant for positioning learners' legs in the forward seat) and I've seen it used by people on slow bits of hunts.

Also, have used it myself because 8 hours of shoulder-hip-heel alignment is not good for either rider or horse. TBH, while my body defaults to forward seat, Pegs and I cheerfully ambled along with my legs stretched out and her reins on the buckle. Arse twitch was first indicator for her to pay attention. Reins gathered up and seat shift was "okay, we have to cross a road now".

ETA: his feet are in a horrible position - even with a farmer's seat, you keep the stirrup on the ball of your foot.