The Seat and Balance. 79 



nothing can loosen her seat. But the firmness 

 here necessary is that hold with which she keeps 

 herself on horseback, without employing strength, 

 trusting entirely to the natural balance of her 

 body to accompany all the motions of the horse. 



Nothing but practice can give this balance, and 

 consequently this hold upon the horse. 



By the direction and motion of the horse's legs 

 the balance is governed. If the animal be either 

 standing still, or merely walking straightforward, 

 the body should be preserved in the simple posi- 

 tion which we have directed the lady to assume on 

 taking her seat. Should it be necessary to apply 

 the whip, so as to make the animal quicken his 

 pace, or to pull him in suddenly, the body must be 

 prepared to accommodate itself to the animal's 

 change of action. When going round a corner at 

 a brisk pace, or riding in a circle, the body should 

 lean back rather more than in the walking posi- 

 tion : to the same extent that the horse bends in- 

 ward, must the body lean in that direction. If a 

 horse shy at any object, and either turn completely 

 and suddenly round, or run on one side only, the 

 body should, if possible, keep time with his move- 

 ments, and adapt itself so as to- turn or swerve 

 with him ; otherwise, the balance will be lost, and 

 the rider be in clanger of falling, on the side from 



