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