26 RIDING TO HOUNDS 



caused by a misfitting saddle or the un- 

 even seat of the rider. Sit well down in 

 your saddle so as to balance your weight 

 over the center of gravity. Side saddles 

 are peculiarly apt to cause sore backs, par- 

 ticularly when the rider rises with a churn- 

 ing motion. To avoid this she should rise 

 as the horse brings forward his off fore- 

 foot. 



The comparative merits of a side or 

 Side or cross seat for women in the hunting field 



is a perennial subject of controversy. The 

 fact is that each has peculiar advan- 

 tages. The side saddle gives a much 

 firmer seat, and while a horse keeps his 

 feet, is therefore the safer; also most 

 women look better on side saddles. Al- 

 though some women ride astride grace- 

 fully, I have never yet seen a woman with 

 a really first class seat on a man's saddle, 

 and most women are so shaped that when 

 riding astride they exemplify the ugly 

 "tailor's" seat. On the other hand, a cross 

 saddle is lighter and easier on one's horse 

 and is far safer if the latter comes 



Cross 

 Saddle for 

 Women 



