26 HORSE AND MAN. 



be equall}' distributed on both sides. Like a man in his 

 saddle, she ought to sit in her saddle exacth' as she sits in 

 a chair, namely, with the hips and shoulders parallel to the 

 ears of the horse. This is a question not only of correct 

 attitude, but also of strength of seat, which is the main thing. 



A lady is rarely thrown to the left, because she is supported 

 on that side by the crutches, and, if need be, b}' the stirrup. 

 All the danger of a fall is therefore on the right, and it 

 increases in proportion as the left shoulder is drawn back. 



It is easy to understand that if a horse makes an abrupt 

 movement, or makes a shy from the right to the left, the 

 upper part of the body will be forcibly thrown to the right, 

 a displacement which can be easily prevented by the lady 

 holding herself in a correct position, that is to say, if her 

 shoulders are placed as I have just indicated. If, on the con- 

 trary, the left shoulder is not so far advanced as the right 

 one, her equilibrium will be unstable and she will be in dan- 

 ger of falling off, which kind of fall should be provided 

 against, because it is dangerous ; for the lad}^ will fall on her 

 head, supposing that she gets clear of the crutches and 

 stirrup. If, in falling, her foot catches in the stirrup, or if her 

 skirt becomes hooked on the crutches, she will become 

 dragged without having any means of freeing herself 



That which gives firmness of seat to the horsewoman also 

 endows her with elegance. Consequently, she need not sacri- 

 fice either of these advantages for the other. It is necessary: 

 Firstly, that the knees are brought as closel}' together as 

 possible, the right leg being firmly hooked round the upper 

 crutch, with its pressure acting from front to rear. The left 

 leg, on the contrary, by reason of the fulcrum afforded b}^ the 

 stirrup, exerts its pressure from rear to front. Secondly, 

 the left shoulder should be carried well forward, and the 

 body slightly bent forward, so as to make it more supple. 



If the left shoulder is drawn back when the horse is at a 



