ightened so as to press against the horse's neck.

To direct the horse to the right, the hand should quit the first
position, the nails be turned upwards, the little finger brought in
towards the right, and the thumb moved to the left: the left rein will
thus press the neck, while the right one is slackened.

To stop the horse, or make him back, the nails should be turned, from
the first position, upwards, the knuckles be reversed, and the wrist be
rounded as much as possible.

[Illustration]

THE SEAT AND BALANCE.

The body should always be in a situation, as well to preserve the
balance, as to maintain the seat.

[Illustration]

One of the most common errors committed by ladies on horseback, who have
not been properly taught to ride is hanging by the near crutch, so that,
instead of being gracefully seated in the centre of the saddle, with the
head in its proper situation, and the shoulders even, the body is
inclined to the left, the head is brought to the right by an inelegant
bend of the neck, the right shoulder is elevated, and the left
depressed.

To correct or avoid these and similar faults, is important. All the
rider's movements should harmonize with the paces of the animal: her
position should be at once easy to herself and to her horse; and alike
calculated to ensure her own safety and give her a perfect command over
the animal. If she sit in a careless, ungraceful manner, the action of
her horse will be the reverse of elegant. A lady seldom appears to
greater advantage than when mounted on a fine horse, if her deportment
be graceful, and her positions correspond with his paces and attitudes;
but the reverse is the case, if, instead of acting with, and influencing
the movements of the horse, she appear to be tossed to and fro, and
overcome by them. She should rise, descend, advance, and stop _with_,
and not _after_ the animal. From this harmony of motion result ease,
elegance, and the most brilliant effect. The lady should sit in such a
position, that the weight of the body may rest on the centre of the
saddle. One shoulder should not be advanced more than the other. Neither
must she bear any weight on the stirrup, nor hang by the crutch towards
the near side. She ought not to suffer herself to incline forward, but
partially backward. If she bend forward, her shoulders will, most
probably, be rounded, and her weight thrown too much upon the horse's
withers: in addition to these disadvantages