122 THE AMERICAN HORSEWOMAN. 



throw her shoulders somewhat back, so as to ex- 

 pand her chest, taking care, however, to keep the 

 shoulders in line, and not to elevate one more 

 than the other. There should also be, at the 

 back of the waist, a slight inward bend which 

 will throw the front of the waist a little for- 

 ward. The arms, from the shoulders to the 

 elbows, must hang perpendicularly, and the 

 elbows be held loosely but steadily and in an 

 easy manner, near the rider's sides, and not be 

 allowed to flap up and down with every move- 

 ment. The hands must be held low and about 

 three or four inches from the body. The bear- 

 ing of the head, the backward throw of the 

 shoulders, and the curve at the waist, are ex- 

 actly like those assumed by a finished waltzer, 

 and if the reader is herself a dancer, or will 

 notice the carriage of a good dancer gliding 

 around the ball-room, she can readily under- 

 stand the attitude required for a correct seat in 

 the saddle. 



The right knee should grasp the second pom- 

 mel firmly, but not hang upon it in order to 

 help the rider keep her seat and balance. The 

 right leg, from the hip to the knee, must be 

 kept as steady as possible, because from a 

 woman's position in the saddle, the movements 

 of her horse tend to throw her toward his left 



