116 THE AMERICAN HORSEWOMAN. 



ably seldom gives the subject any thought ; yet 

 he wonders, after carefully watching and cor- 

 recting the position of the body, why his pupil 

 does not retain the erect position as directed. 

 A lady teacher of experience is, therefore, much 

 to be preferred to a gentleman, unless the lady 

 pupil is willing to wear, while taking her les- 

 sons, trousers similar to those worn during cal- 

 isthenic exercises. 



It sometimes happens that a lady, even after 

 being carefully instructed how to sit in the sad- 

 dle, and when she seems to understand what is 

 necessary, will yet present a very erect but stiff 

 appearance, as if she were made of cast-iron, or 

 some other unyielding material. This may be 

 due to nervousness, fear, tight-lacing, or affec- 

 tation. Practice in riding, loose corsets, and 

 less affectation, will soon remedy this stiffness. 



Another faulty position is one which may be 

 termed '' the dead weight seat," which is only 

 possible when riding on an English saddle. It 

 consists in sitting or bearing chiefly upon the 

 left side of the saddle, the right leg firmly 

 grasping the second pommel, and the left leg 

 squeezed tightly between the stirrup and the 

 third pommel, as if held in a vise. In this po- 

 sition the rider will be fastened to her horse as 

 closely as if she were a package of merchandise 



