GRACEFUL RIDING. 55 



THE LEGS. 



The right leg from the hip to the knee should be 

 kept down in the saddle, and, as much as the rider 

 possibly can, without moving. The lady will mate- 

 rially assist herself in this object by drawing the 

 heel backwards. The left leg must hang steady, 

 yet not, by any means, rest its weight in the 

 stirrup, for in consequence of the muscles of the 

 leg being round, the foot will naturally turn out- 

 ward, thus causing a wavering, tottering seat, 

 inclining the body too much out of balance, and 

 giving a disunited motion to the horse, and an un- 

 graceful and deformed appearance to the rider. To 

 prevent this, the knee must be kept firmly pressed 

 to the saddle ; and, as before remarked, by depress- 

 ing the heel, the toe will be naturally turned in. 



THE STIRRUP. 



The position of the foot in the stirrup is of great 

 importance ; upon it depends much ; keeping the 

 correct balance of the body on the horse, which 

 consists in sitting perfectly square and erect, and 

 preserving a steady position in the saddle. In fitting 

 the stirrup the lady ought to have her length cor- 

 rectly arranged, which is done in the following 



