102 HORSEMANSHIP FOR WOMEN. 



not be pleasant. Children should certainly be kept on 

 the right, and so should any inexperienced or very timid 

 person ; and at all times a gentleman should interpose 

 himself between the lady under his charge and danger 

 of any kind — as, for instance, reckless drivers, rude 

 strollers, or a drove of cattle. When riding on the left, 

 the lady is undoubtedly in a more exposed position, es- 

 pecially if her horse is disposed to dance or shy at rat- 

 tling wagons and the like ; but her escort, being able to 

 ride closer to her, is enabled more quickly and safely to 

 take the animal by the head, if necessary, and under all 

 circumstances he should hold his reins and whip in his 

 right hand, and in case of danger keep his horse well 

 " collected," so as to be ready to act promptly and with- 

 out any show of excitement. 



THE SEAT. 



Position. — The lady's position on horseback is so con- 

 spicuous that the fact ought to stimulate the most indif- 

 ferent so to place and carry herself as to show her figure 

 to the best advantage, and this graceful carriage of the 

 person will be found to be the first step towards achiev- 

 ing a firm and easy seat. The posture should be erect, 

 the back slightly hollowed, the breast thrown forward, 

 the chin drawn in so that the neck will be nearly verti- 

 cal. The lower limbs should rest easily but firmly in 

 their respective places, the left leg hanging perpendicu- 

 larly from the knee downward, with heel slightly de- 



