CHAPTER V.

THE SEAT ON HORSEBACK.

The absolute necessity for a correct seat.--Natural riders rarely acquire a correct seat.--The dead-weight seat.--The wabbling seat.--Essential to good and graceful riding that the body be held square and erect.--The correct seat.--Proper attitude for the body, shoulders, waist, arms, hands, knees, and legs, when on horseback.--Uses and advantages of the third pommel.--Lessons in position should always be taken by the novice in horseback riding.--Faulty positions of ladies called "excellent equestriennes," pointed out at an imaginary park.--Remarks concerning the improper use of stirrups and pommels.--Pupils and teachers frequently in erroneous positions toward each other.--Obstinacy of some pupils, and wrong ideas of others.--Ladies should not be in too much haste to become riders before they understand all the elementary and necessary requirements; but should advance carefully, attentively, and thoroughly.--Suggestions to teachers of ladies in equitation. 114