A lady seldom appears to greater advantage than when mounted on a fine
horse, that is, if her deportment be graceful; and her position
corresponds with his paces and attitudes; but the reverse is the case,
if, instead of acting with, and influencing the movements of, the horse,
she appears to be tossed to and fro, and overcome by them. She should
rise, and descend, advance, and stop with, and not after the animal.
From this harmony of motion results ease, elegance, and a good effect.
The lady should sit in such a position, that the weight of her body may
rest on the centre of the saddle, and so far back, as just to admit of
her right leg passing easily round the crutch, for if the knee be too
far forward, the seat will be very insecure; the right foot should be
flat to the saddle, the toe turned downwards, that it may not be seen
through the habit, when a firmer seat is required, the heel should be
depressed, as doing so, will tend to brace the muscles of the leg, and
give a firmer hold on the crutch.
The _left leg_ and knee must be in close contact with the saddle, from
the knee the leg should fall in a natural position, the foot should be
parallel to the horse's side, and close to it, the heel slightly
depressed. The stirrup leather should be adjusted accordingly, as it is
only of use, to support the foot in its proper position, too long a
stirrup throws the rider on one side, and raises the right hip, too
short a stirrup again, forces the knee outwards, and throws the seat too
much to the right, giving to the rider a distorted appearance. A small
strap fastened to the surcingle about two inches above the stirrup,
passing round the stirrup leather, with a play of about three inches,
adds greatly to the security of the seat, as it prevents the leg from
flying out from the saddle.
The _arms_ should hang straight down from the shoulder, nearly close to
the sides, but not stiffly, the elbows bent, and the hands level with
the elbows, the right arm and hand, when not occupied with the reins,
may be allowed to hang straight from the shoulder. The whip should be
held with the lash downwards, between the two fingers and thumb. The
whip may also be carried in the manner adopted by gentlemen; but care
should be taken that its point does not tickle, or irritate the horse.
_The proper position of the bridle hand_, is immediately opposite to the
centre of the waist, and about three or four inches from it, the wrist
should be slightly rounded, the back of the hand to the front, the
knuckles opposite to the horse's ears, the thumb uppermost, and pressed
over the third joint of the finger. The hand should not be allowed to
move across the body, all the movements being made by the wrist. The arm
from the shoulder to the waist, must be one continued spring, impulsive
to the motion of the horse's head, moving backwards and forwards as he
moves, for if it be not so, the horse's mouth will be spoiled by the
dead pull upon it.
The _body_ must always be in a situation, as well to preserve the
balance, as to maintain the seat. The shoulders should be thrown back,
so as to open the chest as much as possible. The rider should look in
the direction, and lean to the side the horse is turning to, which is in
fact the _necessary balance_.