The Gentleman's Seat. 99 



The observations regarding the seat, bare- 

 back, apply equally to the seat in the saddle. The 

 rider should sit well into the saddle, and not back 

 on the cantle, as so many do. This latter un- 

 graceful seat thrusts the head and body forward, 

 and renders the maintenance of the equilibrium 

 quite impossible. In fact no man who does not 

 sit well into his saddle i.e. to the front can ever 

 become a good horseman. Head and shoulders 

 should be slightly inclined backwards, heels de" 

 pressed, toes raised, hands down, but nothing 

 rigid 



Let it be observed that there is as much room 

 for the display of good riding in walking as in any 

 form of equitation ; and, indeed, I might almost 

 say that a good rider is detected the moment he 

 sits in the saddle. 



