LADIES' HORSEMANSHIP 187 



assisted by drawing the heel backwards, by which the 

 muscles ot* the calf and the tendo Achillis come to the aid 

 of the position. The left leg should hang easily, not resting 

 the weight of the body on the stirrup ; if this is done, the 

 foot naturally turns outward, inclines the body to an inse- 

 cure balance, and gives a wavering and ungainly appearance 

 to the rider. To avoid this, keep the left knee pressed 

 against the saddle, depress the heel, and turn the toes 

 slightly inwards. 



The position of the stirrup has much to do with the seat 

 of the female equestrian. The stirrup must be correctly 

 adapted to the length of the lady's foot when seated in a 

 square and exact position in the saddle. The wtodus 

 oferandi is as follows : Let the stirrup-foot hang down 

 freely from the hip-joint, the knee slightly flexed, the toes 

 raised and turned towards the horse's side. Then, while 

 the foot is immovable in the stirrup, let the strap-holes be 

 taken up and permanently kept at the approved length. 

 The pressure of the foot in the stirrup should come alone 

 from the toes to the arch of the foot, which will give the 

 desired elasticity of movement in the quicker paces of the 

 horse. Should the lady be impelled to the endeavour to 

 retain her foot in the stirrup, her weight must preponderate 

 on the left side. On the contrary, if the stirrup be too 

 short, it necessarily gives a rolling motion to her body, 

 destructive alike to grace, elegance, and security of seat, 

 and will prevent her seating herself sufficiently back in her 

 saddle. Thus much of seat and stirrups. The arms should 

 be held freely and unconstrainedly, but near the sides. 

 The motion of the bridle hand must be, like that of skilled 

 pianoforte players, confined to the wrist. From that alone 

 must its action be derived. The motion of the lady's hand 

 should be confined to the wrist, the action coming from^ it 

 alone. By the management of the reins, in concert with 

 the yielding or retraction of the wrists, the horse is guided 

 in his paces. By this mode the sensibility and goodness 

 of his mouth is preserved ; the beauty of his action is 

 developed ; steadiness is combined with security in his 

 paces ; and the safety of his rider is secured. The degree 

 of command which the animal can be placed under entirely 

 depends on the degree of proficiency acquired in this 

 branch. 



There are four motions requisite in guiding a horse : 



