ratively
short, when we are looking to the front. Even when walking at ease, the
direction of the shoulders, which alters at every step, in no way
affects that of our line of sight; and it certainly would not do so,
when we are riding. The continued maintenance of a perfectly square seat
entails so much muscular rigidity, that it is unsuitable for
'cross-country work, or for the riding of "difficult" horses. In any
case, it causes the body to assume a twisted and therefore an unnatural
position; because the fact of the right hip joint being more advanced
than the left one, will prevent the lower and posterior part of the
trunk (the pelvis) from being parallel, as it ought to be, with the line
connecting the shoulders. To facilitate the attainment of a "square
seat," some saddlers incline the upper crutch a good deal towards the
off side, and thus curtail the space between that crutch and the near
side of the horse's shoulder and neck so much, that the rider is unable
to get her right leg into proper position, and is consequently obliged
to "hook it back." I need hardly say that such saddles do not suit good
horsewomen.

An absurd fallacy of some of the "square seat" school is that the right
thigh (from hip joint to knee) should be kept parallel to the horse's
backbone, a position which would put a great deal more weight on the
near side of the saddle than on the off, and would consequently be
liable to give the horse a sore back. On the contrary, the even
distribution of the rider's weight is an essential condition of comfort
to the animal and of security of seat to the rider, and is of
infinitely greater importance than the attainment of a conventional and
unnatural attitude.

[Illustration: Fig. 82.--Length of stirrup.]

The majority of riding-masters are such admirers of the "square seat,"
that when giving a lady her first few lessons, they will as a rule keep
constantly telling her to keep her right shoulder back, which she
cannot do without twisting and stiffening her body.

For practical requirements, as out hunting or on a long journey, the
seat should be free from all constraint and rigidity, so that it can be
maintained without undue fatigue for several hours, during which time
the rider should be able at any moment to utilise the grip of her legs
with promptness, precision and strength. A lady, with a good seat and
properly made saddle, will ride quite square enough (Fig. 81) to avoid
any lack of elegance