PROPER POSITION FOR A IADY. 127 



riding, this position should be maintained. It was 

 well-nigh impossible in the old deep-cut saddles, in 

 which the head was so high, for this to be the case 

 without the very greatest exertion and consequent 

 fatigue. In a straight-seated saddle, however, the 

 case is different, and there is no reason why a 

 proper seat, such as I have described, should not 

 be acquired. Too often, alas ! is it the case that 

 as soon as a horse begins to trot, and the lady rises 

 to it, she does so sideways, and not truly forwards ; 

 and her foot goes kicking out in a fashion by no 

 means graceful, although both rider and foot may 

 be everything which is charming. The result of this 

 sideways movement is that the saddle receives a 

 side-twist, and the wretched horse gets the benefit 

 of it, generally in two places at once — viz., the off 

 wither and near side of the back. My reason, 

 therefore, for laying extra stress on the necessity of 

 side-saddles fitting well, and the use of a back-stay 

 with them, is, I conclude, very apparent. 



As regards stirrups for side-saddles, I say, By 

 all means use anything which is best calculated to 

 avoid an accident. A woman is so at the mercy of 

 her horse, she is necessarily so encumbered with 

 her habit (no matter how well it may fit, or how 

 ingeniously it may be arranged, there is still a great 

 amount of cloth which can catch on pommels, etc.), 



