106 HORSEMANSHIP FOR WOMEN. 



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to expand the chest and make a hollow waist, such as 

 is observed in waltzing, but always flexible. On the 

 flexibility of the person above the waist, and on the 

 firmness below, all the grace of equestrianism, all the 

 safety, depend. Nervousness makes both men and 

 women poke their heads forward — a stupid trick in a 

 man, unpardonable in a woman. A lady should bend 

 like a willow in a storm, always returning to an easy 

 and nearly upright position. Nothing but practice — 

 frequent, but not too long continued — can establish the 

 all-important balance. Practice, and practice only, en- 

 ables the rider instinctively to bear to the proper side, 

 or lean back, as a horse turns, bounds, or leaps." It is 

 evidently not simply pounding along the high-road 

 in a straight line on a steady nag which is here meant. 

 The following advice, given by a lady who is herself 

 an accomplished horsewoman, will furnish a clew to the 

 sort of exercise which will be really profitable. She 

 says, "Let the pupil practise riding in circles to the - 

 right, sitting upright, but bending a little to the horse's 

 motion, following his nose with her eye ; beginning 

 with a walk, proceed to a slow trot, increasing the action 

 as she gains firmness in the saddle. When in a smart 

 trot on a circle to the right she can, leaning as she 

 should to the right, see the feet of the horse on the 

 right side, it may be assumed that she has arrived at a 

 firm seat." Another excellent exercise is to lean over, 

 now to one side, now to the other, now in front, far 



