THE SEAT AND BALANCE, 47 



the trot : generally speaking, therefore, as we have 

 already remarked, none of the weight of the body 

 should be thrown upon the stirrup. The left leg must 

 not be cramped up, but assume an easy and comfortable 

 position : it should neither be forced out, so as to render 

 the general appearance ungraceful, and the leg itself 

 fatigued ; nor, should it be pressed close to the horse, 

 except when used as an aid ; but descend gracefully 

 by his side, without bearing, against it. 



Although hanging by the left crutch of the saddle, 

 over the near side, is not only inelegant, but objection- 

 able in many important respects, the near crutch, properly 

 used, is a lady's principal dependance on horseback. 

 The right knee being passed over the near crutch, the 

 toes being slightly depressed, and the leg pressed against 

 the fore part of the saddle, the pommel is grasped, and 

 the rider well secm*ed in the possession of her seat. It 

 is said, that when a lady, while her horse is going at a 

 smart trot, can lean over, on the right side, far enough 

 to see the horse's shoe, she may be supposed to have 

 estabhshed a correct seat ; which, we repeat, she should 

 spare no pains to acquire. In some of the schools, a 

 pupil is often directed to ride without the stirrup, and, 

 with her arms placed behind her, while the master holds 

 the long rein, and urges the horse to various degrees 

 of speed, and in different directions, in order to settle 

 her firmly and gracefully on the saddle, — to convince 

 her that there is security without the stirrup, — and to 



