THE HANDS. 171 



resulting from the rider not sitting square. The two 

 most common faults which prevent ladies holding them- 

 selves straight, are : (i) Bringing the right shoulder too 

 much forward ; and (2) sitting too much over on the off 

 side of the saddle, and then leaning over to the nearside 

 in order to preserve their balance. This fault is usually 

 practised when the stirrup is too short. If it be too long, 

 an indifferent rider may, when pressing on it, sit too much 

 to the near side, and then lean her body over to the off: a 

 position which will cause a " drag " on the saddle, which, 

 if continued, will soon give the horse a sore back. No 

 weight should be put on the stirrup, except when 

 trotting. 



Action of the Hands.— The elbow, or elbows, accord- 

 ing as one or both hands are on the reins, should 

 work close to the sides, and be kept back so as to 

 allow the horse a long rein. When both hands are 

 used, they should be held about six inches apart, and 

 just clear of the right knee. The single hand ought to 

 work in a line with the centre of the horse's body, and 

 just clear of the right leg, on which it should not rest. 

 The wrists should be kept loose, and the hands allowed 

 to fall into an easy position with the knuckles at about 

 an angle of forty-five degrees to the ground. The hands, 



