THE LADY'S HOJBSE. 25 



and with her shoulders square to the front. The left 

 knee must touch the so-called third pummel, and the 

 right should hang easily over the other crutch, not 

 sticking out the right foot, or the hold will not be firm. 

 This seat when correct, is firmer than that of any man. 

 Above the waist there should be no more stiffness than 

 is necessary to keep a square and upright position, and 

 while the shoulders are right the arms will hardly go 

 wrong, unless, as sometimes happens, any extraordinary 

 position of the whip hand is indulged in ; but the more 

 the elbows are carried back and inwards the better the 

 effect, provided the attitude is not stiff. 



The military directions for holding the reins are to 

 place the bridoon rein, apart from the bit, aross the palm 

 of the hand, quite loose. The bit reins are divided by 

 the little finger, and the thumb, closed firmly on them 

 to keep them in their place. This of course applies to 

 riding on the bit alone, which a lady seldom or never 

 wants to do ; but the method has this advantage, that by 

 drawing the bridoon rein through the hand it is taken up 

 at once, and you have an equal feeling of both reins, 

 which is what is usually wanted in hacking or hunting. 

 A beginner, after taking up her reins in the first-named 

 manner, may with her right hand draw the bridoon rein 

 on the near side tight, letting it hang on the off side. 

 The off rein she can take up to what length she prefers 

 with the right hand, and she will then be riding with 

 both hands on the reins in a manner that will be found 

 useful in more than one way. It will keep the rider 

 straight and square in her saddle, and she will be able to 

 turn her horse more readily. 



Very few ladies pull the right rein when they want 

 their horse to turn to the right. A well-broken horse 



