THE SEAT ON HORSEBACK. 125 



The novice in ridino; should never be allowed 

 to touch rein or whip until she has acquired a 

 good seat, and a correct balance. During her 

 first lessons, some one should ride by her side 

 and lead her horse, while she, folding her hands 

 in front of her waist, should give all her atten- 

 tion to gaining a correct seat ; or, she may 

 practice circling to the right by means of the 

 lunge line, which will prove excellent training, 

 and will teach her to bear toward the off or 

 right side, for it has already been stated that 

 the motion in the side-saddle has a tendency to 

 impel the rider toward the left, and this ten- 

 dency must always be guarded against by bear- 

 ing the body a little to the right. Circling to 

 the right, when riding in the track of the riding- 

 school, is also a useful exercise for this purpose, 

 but as riding-schools are not always to be had 

 conveniently, the lunge line will be found very 

 useful, many riders, indeed, considering it even 

 better than riding in the ring, as it keeps the 

 horse well up to his gait. 



During a few of the first lessons, that the 

 rider may not fall from the saddle, the stirrup- 

 leather may be somewhat shortened, but as soon 

 as an idea of the proper balance has been ac- 

 quired and the reins and whip are placed in her 

 hands, the stirrup must be lengthened, as this 



