176 THE AMERICAN HORSEWOMAN. 



ears of her steed. When the animal turns com- 

 pletely around to the right or to the left, the 

 shoulders and head of the rider must also turn 

 a little toward the direction taken by the horse, 

 while the hand must be slightly carried in an 

 opposite, direction. When turning a corner, the 

 entire body from the hips upward must in- 

 cline toward the centre of the circle of which 

 the turn forms an arc, or, in other words, the 

 body must incline toward the direction taken 

 by the horse, and the degree of this inclination 

 must be proportioned to the bend of the horse's 

 body, and to the rapidity of his pace while 

 turning. 



When the horse advances, and the hands 

 are relaxed, the body must momentarily lean 

 slightly forward without rounding the shoul- 

 ders; this will aid the horse in commencing 

 his forward movement. In stopping him, the 

 rider's body must be inclined slightly back- 

 ward as the hands rein him in. All these move- 

 ments should be made gradually, and never ab- 

 ruptly. 



When a horse stumbles, or plunges from vi- 

 ciousness or high spirits, the rider's body must 

 be inclined backward, as this will enable her to 

 maintain her balance more effectually as well 

 as to throw more weight upon the reins. On 



