straight, and the horse will be trained to answer to its application in exactly the same way as to the pressure of the man's leg. It is only necessary to say a few words about the seat. I have no improvement to suggest in a saddle by a good maker, beyond remarking that it must fit the rider, and insisting that in addition to the double safety-stirrup the leathers should hang from springbars in the tree, the bar inclining upwards from the front, so that the stirrup may not be detached in case the rider carries her left leg back, as many are in the habit of doing. The lady should so sit upon the horse that her weight will fall perpendicularly to the back of the horse; her face directly to the front, her shoulders drawn back, and her elbows held to her sides. She will permit her body, from the hips upwards, to bend with the motions of the horse, in order that she may preserve her balance. The reins are to be held in the manner prescribed for men, the hand in front of the body, and in a line with the elbow. The whip is to be carried in the right hand, with the point towards the ground. The horse should never be struck with the whip upon the head, neck, or shoulder. To apply the aid upon those parts will teach him to swerve, and render him nervous at the motions of the rider. In a lady's hand the whip simply takes the place of a spur for the right side. The horns of the saddle, the superfluous one at the right being dispensed with, should be of such lengths and curvatures as will suit the rider. The right leg will hold the upright horn close in the bend of the knee, by such a pressure as the action of the horse, or other circumstances, will dictate. The left foot will be thrust into the stirrup to the ball of the foot, and the heel will, as a rule, be carried down; but when the heel is elevated the upper part of the left knee should find support in the side-horn, and for that end the stirrup-leather will be given such a length as will permit this. By the grasp given by the elevation of the left knee from the stirrup and the embrace upon the upright horn by the right leg, the rider will have as strong strength can afford; a seat as her and proper balance she will not be likely to find a horse that will unseat her. As a fall of the horse is attended with great perils to a lady rider, she should never be mounted upon an animal whose legs betray any weakness, or whose knees give evidence of stumbling, or upon one that is not master of her weight. The lady must see that, in turning to the right or left, her horse leads on the side to which he bends, and she should carry her inside shoulder slightly back at the same time, so that the centre of gravity of the mass will be preserved. The leg will support the horse in turning to the right, the whip will give support in turning to the left. The lady who desires to excel in horsemanship should, when an opportunity offers, witness the performance of some school-rider of her sex. A few public lessons from such mistresses of the art as Mademoiselle Guerra or Mademoiselle Elise de Vienne, will be of very great advantage. |
