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CHAPTER VIII. 

 THE SEAT. 



Theory of the Seat — Practical Details. 

 THEORY OF THE SEAT. 



The best seat for all practical purposes is evidently one 

 which affords security and comfort to the rider and 

 freedom from injury to the horse. The lady should 

 sit (not lean) forward in the saddle, so as to get a 

 good grip of the crutches ; and should bring her seat 

 well under her ("sit well into the saddle"), in order to 

 bring the centre of gravity of her body well back, as 

 regards her base of support, and thus to increase her 

 stability, which will depend almost entirely on her 

 power to resist forward propulsion, when the horse 

 suddenly stops or swerves to the left. Her hold of 

 the reins will in any case prevent her from toppling 

 backwards over the animal's tail, in the event of his 

 making an unexpected movement forward from the 

 halt, or suddenly increasing his speed when in motion. 

 The faulty practice of riding the crutches, instead of 

 sitting down in the saddle, brings the weight forward, 



lO 



