148 THE SEAT. 



extent, on the off side of the backbone, under the 

 cantle of the saddle, with the result that ladies' horses 

 frequently get sore backs at these places. As this 

 unequal distribution of weight on the near side varies 

 more or less at each stride of the horse ; the saddle 

 has a strong inclination, during movement, to keep 

 working from one side to the other, and consequently, 

 in order to check this hurtful tendency, a lady's saddle 

 has to be girthed up much tighter than a man's saddle, 

 and also to be provided with a balance strap (p. 53). 



The only means by which the rider can maintain her 

 position in the saddle are balance and grip, both of 

 which are accomplished by muscular action, though in 

 different ways. What is popularly known as "grip," 

 is effected by continued muscular contraction, which 

 speedily gives rise to fatigue, and consequently can be 

 kept up for only a comparatively short time. The 

 balance required for holding the body more or less erect, 

 as in walking, standing and sitting, is, on the contrary, 

 preserved by the alternate contraction and relaxation of 

 a large number of muscles, the work of which, being- 

 intermittent and more or less evenly distributed, can be 

 maintained for a long period without fatigue. It is 

 therefore evident that a lady should ride as much as 

 possible by balance, and that she should use grip only 

 when its aid is demanded for keeping her secure in the 

 saddle. It is obvious that grip is the riding function of 

 the legs ; and balance, that of the body. As grip has 

 generally to be put in action at a moment's notice, the 

 legs should be kept in such a position as to enable 



