A manual of saddles and collars, sore backs and sore shoulders / by F. Smith.

  • Smith, F. (Frederick), Sir, 1857-1929.
Date:
1897
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: A manual of saddles and collars, sore backs and sore shoulders / by F. Smith. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    over the forelegs, for it is the natural position in which a jockey places his body in racing. The argument is fallacious. The position assumed by the jockey is not in order to throw his weight for- ward, but to offer as small a surface as possible to the resistance his body experiences passing rapidly through the air. This view is supported by one of the most celebrated trainers in England, who has told me that if he could put the jockey further back the reduction in cases of “breakdown” would be considerable. It is right to say that there are other views about the position of the jockey, one being that by leaning forward it enables the rider’s body to go in unison with the horse; the other is that it allows of the centre of gravity of the rider being thrown forward, a position apparently necessary in travelling rapidly, as seen in the bicycle rider, but this latter is proba- bly another way of stating the resistance theory just mentioned.