,transcriber's ,note ,obvious typographical errors have been corrected4 ,a list of corrections is found at the end of the text along with a list of inconsistently spelled words4 ,oe ligatures have been expanded4 ,,the ,,horsewoman ,illustration3 ,alice ,m4 ,hayes ,,the ,,horsewoman ,a ,practical ,guide to ,side-,saddle ,riding ,,by ,,alice ,m4 ,,hayes ,,author ,,of ,,my ,,leper ,,friends4 ,,edited ,,by ,m4 ,,horace ,,hayes1 ,f4,r4,c4,v4,s4 7,late ,captain ,the ,buffs7 ,,author ,,of ,,points ,,of ,,the ,,horse1 ,,veterinary ,,notes ,,for ,,horse-,,owners1 ,,riding ,,and ,,hunting1 ,,etc4 ,second ,edition1 revised1 enlarged and #acc photographic illustrations added4 ,,london ,,hurst ,,and ,,blackett1 ,,limited #ac ,,great ,,marlborough ,,street #aijc ,all rights reserved ,,printed ,,by ,,kelly',s ,,directories ,,ltd41 ,,london ,,and ,,kingston4 ,,preface4 ,the first edition of this book was the result of seven years' experience of riding hundreds of horses in ,india1 ,ceylon1 ,egypt1 ,china and ,south ,africa2 the most trying animals being those of which ,i was the rough-rider at my husband's horse-breaking classes4 ,since that edition came out1 ,i have hunted a good deal1 chiefly1 in ,leicestershire and ,cheshire1 and have taught many pupils1 both of which experiences were of special advantage to me in preparing this new edition2 because ,english ladies regard riding1 principally1 from a hunting point of view1 and the best way to supplement one's education1 is to try to teach4 ,the directions about side-saddles and seat are the outcome of practical work and fortunate opportunities2 and ,i hope they will be as useful to my readers as they have been to my pupils4 ,although ,i have ridden1 when abroad1 some of the worst buckjumpers that could be found in any country1 ,i have never cut a voluntary1 thanks to the adoption of a seat and saddle which gave the necessary grip4 ,of course ,i have had purls1 when horses have come down with me out hunting2 and on one occasion in ,china1 when a horse which ,i mounted for the first time1 reared and came over4 ,i have taken ,figs4 #cb to #ea1 #ga to #gh and ,fig4 #ij from ,riding and ,hunting1 and ,figs4 #adg and #adh from ,points of the ,horse4 ,my husband has written ,chapter ,,xxii4 ,i have omitted the chapter on my ,riding ,experiences1 as ,i thought it out of place in a purely teaching book4 ,knowing the immense value of photographs in explaining technical subjects1 ,i have gladly availed myself of the expert help of my husband and son in that form of illustration4 ,i am greatly obliged to ,miss ,harding1 ,miss ,burnaby1 ,miss ,neil1 the ,rev4 ,g4 ,broke1 the ,rev4 ,r4 ,j4 ,gornall1 ,mr4 ,clarence ,hailey of ,newmarket1 the ,editor of ,country ,life and the ,editor of ,the ,queen1 for the admirable photographs and blocks they most kindly lent me4 ,i regret that ,i inadvertently omitted to place the names of ,mr4 ,clarence ,hailey and the ,gresham ,studio1 ,adelaide1 ,south ,australia1 under the excellent photographs which are respectively reproduced in ,figs4 #b and #c4 ,this edition is practically a new book4 ,yew ,tree ,house1 ,crick1 ,rugby1 #beth ,march1 #aijc4 ,,contents4 ,,chapter ,i4 ,,beginning ,,to ,,ride #a to #g ,,chapter ,,ii4 ,,horses ,,for ,,ladies #h to #bd ,,chapter ,,iii4 ,,side-,,saddles #be to #fi ,,chapter ,,iv4 ,,bridles #gj to #hh ,,chapter ,v4 ,,riding ,,dress #hi to #abd ,,chapter ,,vi4 ,,mounting ,,and ,,dismounting #abe to #ace ,,chapter ,,vii4 ,,how ,,to ,,hold ,,the ,,reins #acf to #add ,,chapter ,,viii4 ,,the ,,seat #ade to #aei ,,chapter ,,ix4 ,,hands1 ,,voice1 ,,whip ,,and ,,spur #afj to #ahd ,,chapter ,x4 ,,first ,,lessons ,,in ,,riding #ahe to #bah ,,chapter ,,xi4 ,,riding ,,across ,,country #bai to #bbf ,,chapter ,,xii4 ,,hacking #bbg to #bcb ,,chapter ,,xiii4 ,,riding ,,without ,,reins #bcc to #bdc ,,chapter ,,xiv4 ,,nerve #bdd to #bdg ,,chapter ,,xv4 ,,fences1 ,,country ,,and ,,gates #bdh to #cjc ,,chapter ,,xvi4 ,,hunting #cjd to #chj ,,chapter ,,xvii4 ,,riding ,,and ,,hunting ,,abroad #cha to #cic ,,chapter ,,xviii4 ,,walking ,,foxhound ,,puppies #cid to #dac ,,chapter ,,xix4 ,,kindness ,,to ,,horses #dad to #dbe ,,chapter ,,xx4 ,,cross-,,saddle ,,riding ,,for ,,ladies #dbf to #dcj ,,chapter ,,xxi4 ,,riding ,,difficult ,,horses #dca to #dfd ,,chapter ,,xxii4 ,,names ,,of ,,external ,,parts ,,of ,,the ,,horse #dfe to #dgc ,,list ,,of ,,illustrations4 ,frontispiece--,alice ,m4 ,hayes4 ,,fig4 ,,page #a4 ,man riding a horse over a fence in a side-saddle #c #b4 ,miss ,burnaby's ,butterfly #i #c4 ,miss ,neil's ,jackeroo #aa #d4 ,mr4 ,vansittart's ,romance #ac #e4 ,irish mare1 ,salary #ae #f4 ,polo pony1 ,pat #ag #g4 ,arab pony1 ,freddie #ai #h4 ,side view of saddle tree #bf #i4 ,underneath view of saddle tree #bg #aj4 ,front view of saddle tree #bi #aa4 ,underneath view of saddle tree and its webs #ca #ab4 ,grip with improved leaping head #ce #ac4 ordinary #cg #ad4 ,hook for stirrup leather #ci #ae4 ,leaping head too low down #dj #af4 ,side view of a properly made saddle #da #ag4 ,champion and ,wilton's extra stirrup case #dc #ah4 ,capped stirrup-iron #dd #ai4 ,slipper stirrup #dd #bj4 ,the ,christie stirrup #dd #ba4 ,foot caught #de #bb4 ,latchford stirrup #df #bc4 ,scott's stirrup #df #bd4 open #dg #be4 ,cope's stirrup #dh #bf4 ,foot released by ,cope's stirrup #di #bg4 ,scott's stirrup #ej #bh4 ,foot caught on off side #ea #bi4 ,child mounted #fa #cj4 ,child jumping without reins #fc #ca4 ,foot caught1 on account of its having been put into the stirrup from the wrong side #fg #cb4 ,head of a single bridle3 a1 crown-piece2 b1 b1 cheek-pieces2 c1 throat-latch2 d1 front or brow-band #ga #cc4 ,unjointed snaffle #gb #cd4 ,chain snaffle #gb #ce4 ,ordinary snaffle with cheeks #gb #cf4 ,nutcracker action of jointed snaffle on horse's mouth #gc #cg4 ,action of unjointed snaffle on horse's mouth #gc #ch4 ,action of a curb as a lever #gc #ci4 ,properly constructed curb for ordinary hunter4 ,side view #gd #dj4 ,ward ,union curb bridle with half-moon snaffle #ge #da4 ,curb chain covered with india-rubber tube #gf #db4 ,chin-strap unbuckled #gf #dc4 ,chin-strap buckled #gf #dd4 ,curb reversed by horse throwing up his head1 in the absence of a chin-strap #gg #de4 ,cavasson nose-band #gi #df4 ,standing martingale attached to rings of the snaffle #hj #dg4 ,lord ,lonsdale's registered running martingale #ha #dh4 ,maximum length of standing martingale #hc #di4 ,side view of horse's lower jaw #he #ej4 ,angle made by the cheeks of a curb1 when the reins are taken up #hf #ea4 ,view of under-surface of lower jaw #hg #eb4 ,the ,hayes' ,safety ,skirt open for mounting #ia #ec4 ,off side of the ,hayes' ,safety ,skirt #ic #ed4 ,the ,hayes' ,safety ,skirt closed for walking #ie #ee4 ,apron skirt open for mounting #ig #ef4 ,the apron skirt closed for walking #ii #eg4 ,riding dress for child #aja #eh4 ,loose riding coat1 too long #ajc #ei4 ,front view of good riding coat #aje #fj4 ,back view of good riding coat #ajg #fa4 ,terai hat and ,norfolk jacket #aji #fb4 ,pith hat and drill jacket #aji #fc4 ,good driving coat #aaa #fd4 ,top of boot catching on safety bar flap #aai #fe4 ,front view of riding under-bodice #aba #ff4 ,back view of riding under-bodice #abc #fg4 ,foot raised for mounting #abg #fh4 ,ready to mount #abi #fi4 ,dismounting without help #acc #gj4 with help #ace #ga4 ,a rein in each hand #acg #gb4 ,single reins crossed in one hand #ach #gc4 #ach #gd4 ,double reins held separately in two hands #aci #ge4 ,holding double reins crossed in one hand #adj #gf4 ,double reins in left hand3 one crossed1 the other hooked up on middle finger #ada #gg4 ,reins held in one hand in military fashion #adb #gh4 ,off rein taken up by right hand from position shown in ,fig4 #gg #adc #gi4 ,position of rider's legs at the walk #adg #hj4 ,hooked back leg1 the direction of the pressure of which is shown by the fore finger of the left hand #aea #ha4 ,seat at the walk #aec #hb4 ,length of stirrup #aee #hc4 ,correct position of legs #aeg #hd4 ,leaning back #aeh #he4 ,hunting whip #aga #hf4 ,thong properly put on #agc #hg4 #agc #hh4 incorrectly put on #age #hi4 not quite right #age #ij4 ,a practical bullfinch #agg #ia4 ,spur-carrying whip used for high school riding #aha #ib4 ,thorough-bred mare at a walk #ahg #ic4 ,preparing to rise at the trot1 with stirrup at correct length #aia #id4 ,rising at the trot1 with stirrup at correct length #aic #ie4 ,preparing to rise at the trot1 with stirrup too long #aie #if4 ,rising at the trot1 with stirrup too long #aig #ig4 ,canter1 with right leg hooked back1 and stirrup too long #aii #ih4 ,good seat at canter or gallop #bja #ii4 #bjc #ajj4 #bje #aja4 ,bad seat2 right leg hooked back1 stirrup too long1 and foot home #bjg #ajb4 ,miss ,emmie ,harding jumping wire #baa #ajc4 ,maximum amount of pressure on leaping head #bac #ajd4 ,position of legs in jumping #bae #aje4 ,driving horse over jumps #bce #ajf4 ,a cut-and-laid fence #bea #ajg4 during construction #bec #ajh4 ,a stake and bound fence #bee #aji4 ,post and rails to close gap in hedge #beg #aaj4 ,posts and rails #bei #aaa4 with ditch #bfa #aab4 ,midland stile #bfc #aac4 ,an oxer #bfe #aad4 ,wire in front of bullfinch #bfg #aae4 ,galway bank #bga #aaf4 ,side view of bank shown in ,fig4 #aae #bgc #aag4 ,galway bank #bge #aah4 ,cope and dash wall #bgg #aai4 ,loose stone wall #bgi #abj4 ,low bank with ditch on both sides #bha #aba4 ,view of country between ,yelvertoft and ,crick #bhc #abb4 ,grass on each side of the road #bhe #abc4 ,ordinary five-barred gate #bhi #abd4 ,bridle gate #bia #abe4 ,gate with wooden latch #bic #abf4 spring which has to be drawn back #bie #abg4 pushed forward #big #abh4 ,double gate #bii #abi4 ,a puzzle in gate-opening #cja #acj4 ,ridge and furrow #cag #aca4 in the distance #cba #acb4 ,haystack and gate #cbi #acc4 ,brook #ccg #acd4 ,pollard willows in the next field #cci #ace4 ,the ,cottesmore drawing a covert #cee #acf4 ,wire board #cei #acg4 ,red flag #cfc #ach4 ',ware wire #cfe #aci4 ,iron hurdle #cfg #adj4 ,wire on top of gate #cfi #ada4 ,pytchley puppy1 ,mottley #dja #adb4 ,front view of kennel coat #djc #adc4 ,back view of kennel coat #dje #add4 ,puppies with bicycle #djg #ade4 ,pytchley puppy1 ,monarch #dji #adf4 ,riding mountain zebra #deg #adg4 ,external parts of horse #dfg #adh4 ,measurements of horse #dga ,,the ,,horsewoman4 ,,chapter ,i4 ,,beginning ,,to ,,ride4 ,instruction based on experience assists us in the attainment of all arts1 and hastens the process of learning4 ,although a specially gifted individual who has not been taught1 may be able to sing in a pleasing style1 no one has ever become an accomplished pianist without competent instruction2 the former being somewhat in the position of a man1 the latter in that of a lady1 as regards riding4 ,in all countries we find good untaught horsemen who have got shaken into their seats by constant practice1 with or without a saddle1 which in most cases is chiefly a protection to the animal's back4 ,a side-saddle1 on the contrary1 is as artificial a production as a musical instrument1 and a full knowledge of its peculiarities often cannot be acquired during a lifetime4 ,here the great difference between men and women is that the former ride the horse2 the latter1 the saddle4 ,the tyranny of the side-saddle would not be so marked as it is1 if this article of gear were of a uniform pattern of the best possible kind4 ,unfortunately it is generally built according to the fantastic ideas of fashionable makers who have no practical experience of side-saddle riding4 ,unaided learners have such difficulty in acquiring security and grace of seat and good hands1 that many ladies who have ridden all their lives1 and have lots of pluck1 are poor performers1 particularly in the hunting-field4 ,a beginner who is put on a properly made saddle and suitable horse1 and is taught the right principles of riding1 will make more progress in a month than she would otherwise do in1 say1 five years4 ,the artificiality of side-saddle riding extends even to the horse1 which must be free from certain faults1 such as unsteadiness in mounting1 that would not render him unsuitable to carry a male rider4 ,competency in the instructor is of the first importance4 ,nothing is more absurd than for a man who cannot ride well in a side-saddle1 to try to unfold to a lady the mysteries of seat4 ,such men1 instead of getting into a side-saddle and showing their pupils how to do it1 generally attempt to conceal their ignorance by the use of stock phrases4 ,if asked ,why8 they invariably reply1 ,because it's the right thing to do1 or words to that effect4 ,i have never heard of women venturing to teach men how to ride4 ,davis1 a young groom we had1 was a rare instance of a man who was thoroughly competent to teach ladies how to ride1 because he had lots of practice in side saddles1 and had ample opportunities of learning the theory of the art1 while ,i was teaching pupils in a riding school1 where ,i rode and jumped horses without a skirt4 ,fig4 #a shows ,davis riding in a side saddle over a gate1 on my grey horse ,gustave4 ,the fact of his not hanging on to the horse's head is a good proof that he had a strong seat4 ,illustration3 ,fig4 #a4--,man riding a horse over a fence in a side-saddle4 ,the first lessons in balance and grip should be given by a competent horsewoman1 and the riding-skirt should either be taken off or pinned back 7for instance1 with a safety-pin71 in order that the lady instructor may be able to see and at once correct faults in the position of the legs1 which is hardly a task fit for a man1 even were he competent to perform it4 ,after the pupil has acquired a good seat at the various paces and over small fences1 her further education in the guidance and control of her mount might be entrusted to a competent horseman1 preferably to a good cross-country rider1 and not1 as is frequently the case1 to an ex-military riding-master1 who1 having been taught that a cavalryman's right hand has to be occupied with a sword or lance1 considers that ladies should also adopt the one-handed system of riding6 ,as a rule1 the services of a good horseman are desirable when the pupil is fit to ride in the open1 because he is more helpful than a lady rider in rendering prompt assistance on an emergency4 ,besides1 riding men usually know more about the bitting and handling of horses than women1 and are therefore better able to impart instruction in this branch of equitation4 ,it is as impossible to lay down a hard-and-fast rule as to the age at which a girl may be allowed to mount a pony or donkey1 as it is to control the spirits and daring of a foxhound puppy4 ,those who possess the sporting instinct and the desire to emulate the example of their hunting parents or friends1 should certainly be encouraged and taught to ride as soon as they manifest their wish to do so4 ,many hunting women allow their children to occasionally attend meets in a governess car or other suitable conveyance1 and the budding sportsmen and sportswomen in the vehicle keenly follow the hounds1 as far as they can do so1 by the roads4 ,on non-hunting days during the season1 it is no uncommon sight in hunting districts to see ladies walking by the side of their tiny daughters who are mounted on ponies1 and giving them instruction in riding4 ,in cub-hunting time we may often see the good results of such lessons1 when parent and daughter appear together1 and the little girl on her pony follows the lead over small fences which mother knows can be negotiated by both with safety4 ,twenty years ago1 infants were often carried in panniers or baskets1 one on each side of a led pony or donkey1 with the supposed object of initiating them to horse exercise4 ,the pannier training was followed by the little girls being placed on a pilch1 and conducted about by a mounted groom with a leading-rein4 ,this leading-rein system is absolutely worthless as a means for teaching horse-control to children1 and should be used only as a safeguard with an animal which the young rider may be unable to hold4 ,at whatever age a child is taught to ride1 we should bear in mind that the exercise always entails a certain amount of fatigue1 and should be taken in moderation4 ,the many lamentable accidents which have occurred to young girls from being dragged1 show the vital necessity of supplying the small horsewoman with the most reliable safety appliances in saddlery and dress4 ,the parent or guardian often overlooks this all-important point1 and devotes his or her entire attention to securing a quiet animal4 ,girls who do not possess any aptitude or desire to ride should not be compelled to practise this art1 for1 apart from the cruelty of subjecting a highly nervous girl to the torture of riding lessons1 such unwilling pupils never become accomplished horsewomen4 ,in the same way1 a child who has no ear for music1 and who is forced against her wish to learn the piano1 never develops into a good player4 ,the same remark applies to older ladies1 who1 with the usual angelic resignation of my sex1 try their best to obey the command of their lords and masters by learning to ride4 ,i fear that success in this art is seldom attained by ladies over thirty years of age1 for by that time they have generally lost the dashing pluck of their youth2 their figures have become set and matronly2 and1 as a rule1 they find great difficulty in mastering the subtleties of balance and grip4 ,also1 a state of nervous anxiety is apt to add to the general stiffness of their appearance1 and to suggest discomfort and irritability4 ,we read from time to time alarming rumours of spinal curvature as a result of side-saddle riding1 but ,i have never known a case of this to occur1 either to old or young1 although the near-side position of the leaping-head has a tendency to develop the muscles of the left leg more than those of the right leg1 a fact which ,i discovered as soon as ,i began to ride a bicycle1 after having had many years' experience on horses4 ,riding alternately on a saddle with the leaping-head on the near side and on one with the leaping-head on the off side1 would help to save the back and legs of a lady's horse4 ,in cantering or galloping1 the animal puts more weight on the leading fore leg1 which is consequently more liable to suffer from the injurious effects of work than the non-leading leg2 and1 as we all know1 to canter or gallop comfortably1 a lady's horse has to lead with his off fore when the leaping-head is on the near side2 and vice versa4 ,also1 the vulnerable side of the back and withers of an animal which carries a side-saddle1 is the one which is opposite to that on which the leaping-head is fixed4 ,i am afraid that these practical considerations would not outweigh the dictates of fashion and the expense of having two saddles for one horse4 ,the ,young ,lady's ,equestrian ,manual1 which was published in #ahch1 tells us that in the early part of the last century1 a plan which was similar to the one in question was adopted of having movable crutches1 in order to afford a lady1 by merely changing their relative positions1 the means of riding1 as she might please1 on either side of her horse1 and that this change of crutches was found advantageous4 ,i do not think that a side-saddle built on this principle would look neat enough for modern requirements4 ,,chapter ,,ii4 ,,horses ,,for ,,ladies4 ,a hunter suitable for a lady should be temperate1 sound1 strong1 safe and clever over fences1 and fast enough for his country4 ,as extra fatigue is entailed on a lady's mount by the side position of his rider1 he should be quite #ba lbs4 above the weight he has to carry4 ,as a rule1 he should not be younger than seven1 and should have had1 at least1 two seasons' hunting in which to learn his business4 ,fig4 #b shows us a typical high-class ,leicestershire hunter2 and ,fig4 #c1 a good ,australian hunter4 ,mr4 ,vansittart's ,romance 7,fig4 #d7 was one of the nicest of the many ,australian horses ,i rode1 during my sojourns in ,india1 between the years #ahhe and #ahia4 ,he was thoroughbred and was the winner of several races on the flat and across country4 ,in those days1 the idiotic custom of docking horses had not found favour in ,australia4 ,illustration3 ,fig4 #b4--,miss ,burnaby's ,butterfly4 ,the requirements of the various hunting countries differ greatly4 ,for the ,shires1 a lady would want a well-bred galloper which can spread himself out over his fences1 because there is almost always a ditch or a rail on one side or the other of the ,midland hedges4 ,temperate he must be1 because the fields in ,leicestershire1 for instance1 are so large that there is often a crowd of riders waiting their turn at the only practicable place in a jump1 filing through a gate1 or waiting en masse in a cramped space at the covert side1 and a horse who displays temper on such occasions is naturally regarded as a nuisance and danger by the rest of the field4 ,besides1 it must be remembered that nothing tends to spoil the nerves of any rider1 man or woman1 more than attempting to hunt in a big country like ,leicestershire on a bad-tempered horse1 and especially on a refuser which has a tendency to rear4 ,on no account should a lady ride a roarer1 although the artful dealer may assure her that the whistle which the animal makes1 will be a secret unknown to any one except herself and the horse4 ,in the large majority of cases1 roaring is a disease which increases with time1 and the accompanying noise is distressing to all lovers of horses who hear it4 ,kickers1 even with red bows on their tails1 should on no account be ridden2 for they are a danger to man1 woman1 horse1 and hound1 and are the cause of many accidents every hunting season4 ,it would appear that ladies--not those of the present day1 let us hope--were not sufficiently careful in insisting on this last-mentioned requirement in their hunters2 for ,captain ,elmhirst1 writing in #ahhc1 says1 ,horse dealers1 farmers1 and--we are sorry to add--ladies must especially be avoided2 for who ever saw a vicious kicker that was not ridden by one of these three8 ,illustration3 ,fig4 #c4--,miss ,neil's ,jackeroo4 ,apart from the danger to others1 it is obvious that no sane woman would ride a horse which would be likely to kick her in the event of a fall4 ,when ,i was in ,india1 ,i had to get rid of a horse because of his vicious tendency in this respect4 ,he was a good-looking ,australian1 a clever fencer1 and had a nice mouth1 but so vicious that when we first got him1 he used to rush open-mouthed at any one who went near him1 except his syce4 ,my husband took him in hand1 and he became sufficiently civilised to take carrots from me4 ,when ,i rode him1 ,i found he was always looking out for an excuse to play up1 or to lash out at other horses4 ,in order to test his jumping1 a lightweight gentleman rider one day rode him over a made course4 ,the animal blundered badly at one of the fences1 threw his rider1 and while the man was lying on his back on the ground the horse deliberately put a fore foot on him1 and would have doubtless broken his back1 if my husband1 who was standing near the fence1 had not pulled the vicious brute off4 ,we got rid of him1 and ,i heard shortly afterwards that he had killed his jockey1 a native1 in a hurdle race at ,calcutta1 by the adoption of similar vicious tactics4 ,it would have been criminal to have taken such a horse as that into any hunting-field4 ,illustration3 ,fig4 #d4--,mr4 ,vansittart's ,romance4 ,a hunter should have good shoulders 7long1 flat1 and oblique7 and a comparatively high forehand2 for horses which are lower in front than at the croup are uncomfortable to ride1 and there is generally some difficulty in retaining the side saddle in its place on their backs4 ,the height of a hunter will depend greatly on that of his rider4 ,for instance1 a tall woman with a comfortable figure would be suitably mounted on a horse #af hands or more high1 whereas a light girl of medium height would find an animal of say #ae-b as much as she could comfortably manage2 for we must remember that big horses1 as a rule1 take a good deal of collecting4 ,a small horse generally stays better1 can come out oftener1 is handier1 and not so likely to hurt one if he falls4 ,for the ,shires ,i do not think a lady's hunter should be much under #ae-b1 and he must be a big jumper and well bred4 ,hunting women1 as a rule1 do not pay much attention to the good looks of their horses1 for hunting is not a church parade1 and the finest performer over a country is always admired and coveted whatever his appearance may be4 ,the same may be said about colour2 although1 as a grey horse is conspicuous enough to be singled out of a crowd of bays and browns1 a lady who is at all impartial in her seat would do well to select a horse wearing a less noticeable tint of coat4 ,as rearing is the worst vice a lady's mount can possess1 no horse who has a tendency to rear should be ridden by a woman1 as from her position in the side-saddle she is far more helpless than a man on such an animal4 ,a lady's hunter should not have too light a mouth1 but should go nicely up to his bridle1 and not resent the use of the curb1 which is sometimes necessary in avoiding danger4 ,he should on no account be inclined to pull4 ,a perfect hunter is like a thorough good sportsman1 who regards his share of bangs and blows as all in the day's work4 ,as the majority of hunters have their own likes and dislikes about jumping certain kinds of fences1 a lady should know precisely what to expect from her mount and what his jumping capabilities are1 before taking him into the hunting-field1 which is not the place for experiments4 ,i had many pleasant days out hunting with the ,quorn1 ,belvoir1 ,cottesmore1 and ,north ,cheshire on the ,irish mare1 ,salary 7,fig4 #e74 ,in summing up the requirements of a hunter for either man or woman1 ,i cannot do better than to quote the following sound advice from ,whyte ,melville3 ,people talk about size and shape1 shoulders1 quarters1 blood1 bone and muscle1 but for my part1 give me a hunter with brains4 ,he has to take care of the biggest fool of the two1 and think for both4 ,illustration3 ,fig4 #e4--;,irish mare1 ,salary4 ,to be capable of safely crossing a stiff country1 a horse requires at least a few falls--which had best be shared by a man--and much experience1 which cannot be obtained without time4 ,hence1 ,i would advise no lady1 however well she may ride1 to hunt on a young horse1 who will always require a good deal of time in which to learn his business4 ,it is certainly no pleasure to be on the back of a horse who is inclined to drop his hind legs in the ditch on the other side1 or to chance a post and rails4 ,many young horses are so reluctant in going at a fence1 and in spreading themselves out1 that they are no good except when ridden by a man who can use his legs1 which is a feat that a woman is unable to accomplish4 ,a perfect hack1 whether for man or woman1 is far more difficult to find at the present time than a good hunter1 and when found will command a fancy price4 ,the ideal hack is a showy1 well-bred animal of the officer's charger type1 which has been thoroughly well made in all his paces4 ,such an animal appears at his best when executing a slow1 collected canter1 with arched neck and looking full of fire and gaiety1 though ridden with an almost slack rein1 and intent only on rendering prompt obedience to the slightest indication of his rider4 ,in ,germany and ,france the hacks ridden in the ,tiergarten and ,bois1 for instance1 are thoroughly made1 and compare very favourably with the pulling1 half-broken brutes on which many ladies appear in the ,row4 ,in former times1 before the introduction of the leaping-head made hunting possible for women1 more attention was paid to the breaking and training of hacks than at present1 on account of the great demand for complete ladies' horses4 ,the advent of the bicycle for ladies has almost abolished hacking as a pastime and means of exercise1 and hence the difficulty in finding a well-broken animal for this work4 ,the best substitute is1 ,i think1 a good polo pony1 because the requirements of that game demand that the animal should be temperate1 handy1 and capable of being ridden with a slack rein4 ,the polo pony ,pat 7,fig4 #f7 is a perfect hack1 with a snaffle-bridle mouth1 and so steady and clever that he can canter round the proverbial sixpence4 ,he has played well in several polo matches4 ,illustration3 ,fig4 #f4--,polo pony1 ,pat4 ,although many ladies in this country have never enjoyed the luxury of riding a high-caste ,arab1 we occasionally see these animals in the ,row and hunting-field4 ,the sight of an ,arabi tattoo to an old ,indian like myself1 revives many pleasant memories of delightful equine friends in the ,east4 ,the ,arab is par excellence the most perfect hack for a lady1 and ,i think it would be ungrateful of me in this new edition to omit the portrait of my ,arab pony ,freddie 7,fig4 #g71 even though the cut of the riding-habit is out of date4 ,although a good horsewoman may be satisfied with any animal which is fit for a man1 provided he is steady to mount and does not require an unusual amount of collecting2 it is not safe to put an inexperienced or nervous rider on a horse that has not been taught to carry a habit1 which a groom can do by riding the animal with a rug or dark overcoat on the near side1 and letting it flop about4 ,horses rarely object to the presence of a skirt1 though ,i have known cases in which the animal went almost wild with terror when the right leg was put over the crutch4 ,it is1 therefore1 wise to accustom a horse to the skirt and leg by means of a groom4 ,the fact of a lady having to ride in a side-saddle1 puts her under the following three disadvantages as compared to a man in a cross-saddle3 she is1 as a rule1 unable to mount without assistance2 she cannot apply the pressure of the right leg to the side of the horse2 and it is difficult for her to drop her hands in order to pull him together4 ,the judicious application of a crop or ash-plant 7my husband1 though an ,irishman1 swears by a ,neilgherry cane7 may partly make up for the absence of a leg on the off side2 but1 however well a woman may ride1 she should not have a horse which plays up when he is being mounted1 or sprawls about and requires constant pulling together when she is in the saddle4 ,illustration3 ,fig4 #g4--;,arab pony1 ,freddie4 ,the style of hack should be in thorough keeping with that of the rider4 ,a slight lady has a greater range of choice in horseflesh than a portly dame1 who would be best suited with a weight-carrying hunter or compact cob4 ,the height might vary from #ad-b to #ae-c4 ,i hardly think that even a small woman would look well on a pony which is less than #ac-c4 ,a beginner should be put on a lazy animal1 whether horse or pony1 that will condescend to trot or canter for only a short distance1 which will be quite far enough for its inexperienced rider4 ,many parents who are supervising the riding instruction of their children1 look too far ahead when selecting a mount4 ,instead of purchasing a steady1 plodding1 though not unwilling slave1 they invest in a second- or third-stage animal1 which is absolutely useless to a beginner1 because it wants more riding than she can give it4 ,such a young lady needs a thoroughly steady animal1 no matter how old or ugly it may be1 and she will probably learn more about riding on it in a month1 than she would in a year on a horse which would have to be led by a groom1 on account of its unsteadiness4 ,a good donkey is a most useful conveyance for young girls1 as he can generally be trusted to take things quietly1 and will not unduly exert himself without being called upon to do so4 ,for the benefit of inexperienced riders1 ,i must not omit to mention that the measurement of horses is taken from the highest point of the withers to the ground4 ,a horse is measured by hands and inches1 not1 as in humans1 by feet and inches4 ,a hand is #d in41 therefore an animal of #ae hands is #e ft4 in height2 #af hands1 #e ft4 #d in42 #ag hands1 #e ft4 #h in42 and one of #ag-b--which would be a gigantic height in a saddle horse1 but not in a cart horse--would be #e ft4 #aj in4 high4 ,a woman of medium height1 like myself1 who stands #e ft4 #c in4 in stocking feet--a height1 by-the-bye1 which is accorded to the ,venus de ,medici 7we might make use of that fact on being termed little7--would find a horse of #ae-a or #ae-b a very nice1 useful height2 though she need by no means limit herself to height with any horse which is springy and active1 does not require a great amount of collecting1 is easy in his paces1 and has a good mouth4 ,the bigger a horse is1 the more fatiguing do we find him to ride1 if his mouth1 manners1 and paces are not thoroughly made4 ,the late ,esa bin ,curtis1 a celebrated ,arab horse dealer1 in speaking of big buck-jumping ,walers1 said1 ,god hath not made man equal unto them1 and1 however well a woman may ride1 it is no pleasure to find herself breathless and exhausted in her efforts to control such animals4 ,on the other hand1 many small horses which play up are most difficult to sit1 for1 although they may not take their rider's breath away by their display of physical power1 they are like quicksilver on a frying-pan1 and highly test our agility in the matter of balance and grip4 ,i cannot conclude this chapter on ladies' horses without expressing my strong condemnation of the senseless and cruel practice of docking riding horses1 which has nothing in its favour except its conformance to fashion1 and which in this case is disgusting cruelty4 ,thoroughbred horses are never docked1 whether they be used for racing1 steeplechasing or hunting1 and it is a monstrous thing to mutilate unfortunate half-breds1 especially mares1 and condemn them to be tortured by flies1 and to have the most sensitive parts of their bodies turned into a safe camping ground for insects1 simply because these poor animals have a stain in their pedigree4 ,in summer time1 when flies are troublesome1 we may often see a long-tailed brood mare at grass protecting both herself and her suckling foal from these irritating pests by the free use of her tail2 but docked mares are deprived of this means of driving away insects1 and have been known to unwittingly injure their young by kicking and plunging violently in their efforts to rid themselves of attacking flies4 ,the unfortunate foal is unable to take its natural nourishment in peace1 and consequently does not thrive so well as does the offspring of an unmutilated mother4 ,one of the feeble arguments set forth in favour of docking is1 that it prevents a hunter from soiling the coat of his rider by his tail2 but1 as my husband truly says in his new edition of ,veterinary ,notes for ,horse ,owners1 ,this idea is an absurdity1 because an undocked horse cannot reach his rider with his tail1 if it is banged short1 which is a fact known to all military men4 ,besides1 mud on a hunting coat is 'clean dirt4' ,the actual pain caused by the operation is trivial as compared with the life-long misery to which tailless horses are subjected1 for we deprive them for ever of their caudal appendage1 and the ridiculous stump sticking up where the tail ought to be1 is as ungraceful as it is indecent1 especially in the case of mares4 ,our friend1 the late ,dr4 ,george ,fleming1 says in ,the ,wanton ,mutilation of ,animals1 nothing can be more painful and disgusting to the real horseman and admirer of this most symmetrically formed and graceful animal than the existence of this most detestable and torturing fashion2 and those who perform the operation or sanction it are not humane1 nor are they horsemen1 but rather are they horse-maimers and promoters of the worst form of cruelty to animals4 ,let anyone go to ,rotten ,row during the season1 and satisfy himself as to the extent to which the fashion prevails1 and the repulsive appearance which otherwise beautiful horses present4 ,the astonishing and most saddening feature of the equestrian promenade is the presence of ladies riding mares which are almost tailless4 ,surely a plea might be entered here for the use of a fig-leaf to clothe the nude4 ,i feel sure that if my sex had a voice in the matter1 this wholesale mutilation of mares would soon cease4 ,dr4 ,fleming1 writing in the ,nineteenth ,century over twenty years ago1 said3 ,i hope and believe that when the horse-loving public and the friends of animals begin to realise how cruel and degrading some of these mutilations are1 they will not be long in having them suppressed2 but the horse-lovers do not appear to have done much in this matter so far4 ,this writer tells us that the ancient ,welsh laws protected it 7the horse's tail7 from harm at the hands of man1 and that an ecclesiastical canon was issued in order to prevent it from being damaged in the eighth century4 ,cannot our laws do something to protect mares1 at any rate1 from the cruelty of docking in the twentieth century8 ,dr4 ,fleming1 in reviewing the history of docking from its earliest times1 tells us that he saw an old print which represented a very emaciated horse1 with a fashionable tail1 standing in a luxuriant meadow1 his body covered with flies1 which prevented him from grazing1 and from which he could not free himself2 a notice board in the field announced that horses were taken in to graze1 those with undocked tails at six shillings a week and docked ones at eighteenpence4 ,when ,voltaire visited this country in the first quarter of the eighteenth century1 he was so impressed with our barbarity1 especially in the cutting off the tails of our horses1 that he could not refrain from giving vent to one of his pungent sarcasms in the following epigram3-- ,vous fiers ,anglois ,barbares que vous etes ,coupez la tete aux rois ,et la queue a vos betes2 ,mais les ,francois1 ,polis et droits1 ,aiment les lois1 ,laissent la queue aux betes ,et la tete a leurs rois4 ,,chapter ,,iii4 ,,side-,,saddles4 ,description of a ,side-,saddle--,saddle ,tree--,covering of a ,side-,saddle--,panel--,the ,leaping ,head--,stirrup ,leather--,safety ,bars--,safety ,stirrups--,girths--,balance ,strap--,breast-plate--,weight of a ,side-,saddle--,shape of the ,seat of a ,side-,saddle--,the ,saddle must ,fit the ,rider--,crupper--,numdahs and ,saddle ,cloths--,side-,saddles for ,children--,saddling a ,horse--,prevention of ,sore ,backs--,cleaning a ,side-,saddle4 ,,description ,,of ,a ,,side-,,saddle4 ,a properly made side-saddle consists of the following parts3-- #a4 ,a tree1 which is a wooden frame that is strengthened with steel and iron1 and is provided with an upper crutch 7near head7 and webs4 #b4 ,a leather covering1 which comprises the seat1 off flap1 and safe1 which is the trade term for the near flap4 #c4 ,a panel 7or cushion71 which is placed underneath the tree1 so as to protect the animal's back from the hurtful pressure of the unprotected tree4 #d4 ,a leaping head1 which helps the lady to obtain security of seat4 #e4 ,a stirrup leather4 #f4 ,a stirrup iron4 #g4 ,a stirrup bar for the stirrup leather4 #h4 ,girths4 #i4 ,balance strap4 ,to these ordinary components of a side-saddle1 a breast-plate and saddle cloth or numdah are sometimes added4 ,on rare occasions a crupper is used4 ,illustration3 ,fig4 #h4--,side view of saddle tree4 ,,saddle ,,tree4 ,the tree 7,figs4 #h1 #i1 #aj1 and #aa7 consists of two bars 7side boards71 which are connected together in front by the pommel1 and behind by the cantle4 ,the pommel is made up of a gullet plate1 which is a steel arch that goes over the withers1 and its coverings4 ,the points of the tree are connected1 one on each side1 to the front ends of the bars and to the gullet plate1 and they point downwards4 ,the stirrup bar1 which should be of a safety pattern1 is attached to the near bar1 a little lower down than the leaping head4 ,illustration3 ,fig4 #i4--,underneath view of saddle tree4 ,the webs 7,fig4 #aa7 of a tree are strong hempen bands which cover the open space down the centre of the tree1 and are nailed1 at one end1 to the pommel1 and at the other end to the cantle4 ,they are tightly stretched1 in order to give the rider a comfortable seat1 and to keep her weight off the horse's backbone4 ,the office of the bars of the tree is to evenly distribute the rider's weight1 by means of the panel1 over the muscles which run along each side of the horse's backbone1 and which form the only suitable bearing surfaces for the purpose in question4 ,no weight should fall on the animal's backbone1 because it is very sensitive to pressure1 even when the pressure is well distributed4 ,in order to obtain this indispensable condition of evenly-distributed pressure1 the bars of the tree of a saddle which is to be made for a particular horse1 should accurately fit the bearing surfaces of the back upon which they rest1 and should be well away from the backbone2 in fact1 the distance between the bars should not be less than four inches4 ,when the rider is in the saddle1 a fair amount of space should exist between the gullet plate and the withers1 so that no injurious pressure may fall on the top or sides of the withers1 which are particularly susceptible to inflammation from this cause4 ,in order to avoid giving an undue height to the pommel1 with the object of keeping it off the withers1 it should be cut back 7,fig4 #aa71 although this cutting back need not be carried to the excessive extent that is sometimes practised4 ,in a man's saddle1 the pommel is generally straight4 ,illustration3 ,fig4 #aj4--;,front view of saddle tree4 ,the points of the tree should accurately fit the parts upon which they rest1 so as to prevent any wobbling of the saddle4 ,the near point of the tree 7,fig4 #aj7 is usually made long1 with the idea of helping the saddle to keep in its place2 but if this is done1 the off point should be comparatively short1 because1 if both points be long1 they will be apt to become pulled further apart in the event of the horse turning round sharply1 as he would have to do in a narrow stall1 or even when refusing a jump4 ,the upper crutch1 or1 as it is called by saddlers1 the near head1 is a more or less upright projection which is placed on the near side of the pommel1 in order to give support to the rider's right leg4 ,the slope and bearing surface of this near head should be regulated1 so that 7as we shall see further on7 the lower part of the rider's right leg may extend downwards along the shoulder of the horse1 and that the lady may be able to exert full pressure against the near head1 by the inward rotation of her thigh 7p4 #aeg74 ,the height of the near head depends on the thickness of the rider's thigh1 because a fat leg will require a higher crutch than a thin one4 ,if the upper crutch be unduly long1 it will push the skirt up and give it a bad appearance4 ,we must1 however1 bear in mind that if it is too short for its legitimate purpose1 it will afford an insecure grip to the right leg1 which is a consideration that must not be neglected4 ,before the leaping head 7p4 #cc7 was invented1 side-saddles were provided with an off crutch1 which was placed on the off side of the pommel4 ,in a very old saddle which ,i saw1 it took the form of an upright handle1 which was placed parallel to the direction of the withers1 and which apparently was intended to be grasped by the right hand of the rider in case of emergency4 ,in a saddle of mine1 which is about #ajj years old1 the off crutch projects horizontally to the right4 ,fifty years ago1 the off crutch was almost always upright1 and was often placed so close to the near crutch that the rider was able to get a fairly firm support for her right leg by jamming it between these two crutches4 ,as the great utility of the leaping head received increasingly wide recognition1 the off crutch underwent a gradual process of decadence1 because it is of no benefit to a rider who understands the use of a leaping head4 ,indications of its previous existence may occasionally be seen1 especially abroad1 in the form of an entirely useless thickening of the off side of the pommel4 ,illustration3 ,fig4 #aa4--,underneath view of saddle tree and its webs4 ,,covering ,,of ,a ,,side-,,saddle4 ,the seats of good saddles are generally of pigskin1 and the flaps of cow-hide4 ,the fact of the seat being of buckskin or other rough leather will increase the lady's security in the saddle1 but may somewhat detract from the smartness of her appearance1 especially if the leather is white4 ,i can see no objection to the seat of the saddle being of rough brown leather4 ,formerly1 all side-saddles had a stuffed safe1 in which the front part of the near flap is padded1 but nowadays it is rarely1 if ever1 used by smart hunting people4 ,it is evidently the surviving remains of the voluminous pad1 upon which ladies used to rest the lower part of their right leg in the days before the leaping head was invented4 ,ornamental stitching about the seat and safe of a saddle is equally out of date4 ,,panel4 ,it is all important that the panel should be so carefully stuffed1 that the rider's weight will be evenly distributed over the bearing surfaces of her animal's back4 ,even if this is done to perfection1 the desirable arrangement will last for only a short time1 if the stuffing is of the wrong kind of material4 ,instead of using fine wool 7best flock71 incompetent or unduly economical saddlers often employ flock which is largely composed of cotton waste1 and1 consequently1 when they stuff or re-stuff a saddle1 lumps1 from the absorption of perspiration1 are apt to form in the panel1 with the frequent result of a sore back4 ,although the stuffing of side-saddles is too technical a subject to attack in these pages1 ,i would fail in my duty to my readers if ,i omitted to advise them always to go to a first-class saddler for a new saddle1 or to get an old one re-stuffed1 which should be done as may be required1 preferably1 before the beginning of the hunting season1 supposing that the saddle has seen a good deal of service4 ,it is often thought that expert saddlers are to be found only in ,london2 but if a saddler is clever at his trade1 the fact of his having a shop in a good hunting district1 must be a great advantage to him in studying the requirements of riding people4 ,,the ,,leaping ,,head was invented about #ahcj by ,m4 ,pellier1 who was well known in ,paris as a riding master4 ,its object is to help the rider to obtain security of seat by a fixed surface against which she can press the front and lower part of her left thigh4 ,before the invention of the leaping head1 ladies had to rely entirely on the right leg for grip1 and consequently few1 if any of them1 were able to hunt4 ,mr4 ,john ,allen1 who wrote ,modern ,riding1 in #ahbe1 tells us that the left leg is nearly1 if not wholly useless2 for though a stirrup is placed on the foot1 the only use of it is to ease the leg a little1 which1 for want of practice1 might ache by dangling and suspension4 ,the following are the chief points to be considered about a leaping head3-- 99 99 99 99 99 #a4 ,its curve should be so arranged that the harder a lady presses against it1 the more will her left leg be carried inwards1 so that the flat 7inside7 of her knee may be brought in contact with the flap of the saddle 7,fig4 #ab74 ,an ordinary leaping head is curved1 as a rule1 in such a manner that when a rider seeks to obtain support from it by the pressure of her left leg1 this limb is carried outwards1 and she is able to get a point d'appui only at the extreme end of this projection 7,fig4 #ac74 ,it is evident that the closer the left leg is to the saddle1 the firmer will be the seat4 ,besides1 the more the left leg is brought outwards1 the more weight will be put on the near side1 which1 as we shall see further on1 is the very thing a rider ought to avoid4 #b4 ,the leaping head should be close to the upper crutch 7,figs4 #ab and #af74 ,the usual plan of putting it much lower down 7,fig4 #ae7 tends to bring the weight to the near side1 a fact which can be easily tested1 especially in trotting1 by trying the improvement in question1 which was suggested to me by ,mr4 ,ford of ,rugby1 who is a very competent and experienced saddler4 ,illustration3 ,fig4 #ab4--;,grip with improved leaping head4 #c4 ,usually1 the leaping head is attached to the tree by means of a screw1 which is an arrangement that has the disadvantage of not allowing the leaping head to be placed close to the upper crutch4 ,if the leaping head is riveted on to the tree 7as in ,figs4 #aj and #af71 which is the better plan1 it can be placed as near as we like to the upper crutch1 and it will have no tendency to wobble about1 as it would be apt to do1 if it was fixed by a screw4 ,as the screws of the leaping heads of cheap saddles are almost always made of annealed iron1 which is a form of cast-iron1 it is not an uncommon occurrence for the screw of one of these saddles to break1 which is more apt to occur at a critical moment1 as for instance when the horse is jumping or playing up1 than when he is going quietly4 ,on the only occasion ,i ever rode over a fence in one of these cheap ,walsall saddles1 the screw broke1 but luckily ,i remained4 #d4 ,when the leaping head is a fixture1 the bearing surface which it presents to the rider's left leg should be in the same direction as the upper part of that limb1 so that the pressure on it may be evenly distributed4 ,by placing a straight stick under the leaping head1 and holding it in the direction which the left thigh would occupy1 when the rider is mounted1 we can easily see if the bearing surface is in the proper position4 #e4 ,as an aid to security of seat1 it is well to have the under surface of the leaping head and the off side of the upper crutch covered with rough brown leather1 which1 we should bear in mind1 is concealed from view1 when the lady is in the saddle1 and consequently it will not detract from the smartness of her appearance4 ,illustration3 ,fig4 #ac4--;,grip with ordinary leaping head4 ,,stirrup-,,leather4 ,the stirrup-leather1 which is on the near side1 should always be attached to a bar1 and not1 as is sometimes done1 to the balance strap 7p4 #ec72 because1 in this case1 its length will be subject to frequent variation1 not only when the saddle is put on different animals1 but also when the horse gets slack in his girth from work4 ,when it is fixed to a bar1 which should always be of the safety kind1 no alteration in the correct length of the leather will take place4 ,the arrangement for undoing the stirrup-leather is in the most convenient position when it is close to the iron1 and not in proximity to the stirrup-bar1 as is the case in a man's hunting saddle4 ,if the leather is used in the latter manner1 the buckle will be apt to hurt the inside of the lady's left leg1 when she brings the knee close to the flap of the saddle2 and it will be more inconvenient to alter the length of the leather1 when the lady is mounted1 than if the buckle or hook was low down4 ,the hook 7,fig4 #ad7 is better than a buckle1 because it lies flatter and is easier to arrange4 ,illustration3 ,fig4 #ad4--;,hook for stirrup leather4 ,,safety ,,bars4 ,a safety bar is a bar which will release the leather1 in the event of the rider falling from the saddle1 and at the same time getting her foot caught in the stirrup-iron4 ,to be reliable1 it should do this1 whether the lady falls on the near side1 or on the off side4 ,the best safety bar which has up to the present been put before the public1 is undoubtedly ,champion and ,wilton's latest pattern4 ,it releases with absolute certainty on both sides1 and can be fitted in such a manner that it will allow the flat of the left leg to be brought close to the saddle4 ,as safety bars and safety stirrups are the only means for ensuring a lady from being dragged by her stirrup1 and as ,champion and ,wilton's safety bar is more reliable in this respect than any safety stirrup1 it stands to reason that it should be used with every side-saddle4 ,with this bar on a saddle1 there is of course no objection to the use of a safety stirrup1 in order to make doubly sure4 ,it is usually fitted with a thick flap 7,fig4 #ae71 which prevents the left leg from being brought close to the saddle2 but this objection can be removed by the adoption of ,mr4 ,ford's plan of greatly reducing the size of the flap of the bar1 and making it fit into an opening cut out of the near flap of the saddle 7,fig4 #af74 ,i have found this arrangement a great improvement on the old clumsy flap1 the lower edge of which is unpleasantly apt to catch on the rider's boot1 especially when trotting4 ,i shall discuss the failings of safety stirrups further on4 ,illustration3 ,fig4 #ae4--,leaping head too low down4 ,illustration3 ,fig4 #af4--,side view of a properly made saddle4 ,owing to the position which a lady occupies in a side-saddle1 she is often inclined to draw her foot back to such an extent that she would pull the leather out of the bar1 if the action of the bar was similar to that of a man's saddle2 but a ,champion and ,wilton's bar is so devised that it will free the leather1 only when the pressure of the left leg is removed from the flap of the bar1 in which case the lady will have quitted the saddle4 ,hence1 as long as she keeps her seat1 she cannot pull the leather out of the bar by drawing back her left leg4 ,the only thing which prevents this safety arrangement from being absolutely perfect1 is the liability the leather has of falling out of the bar and becoming lost1 in the event of the rider severing her connection with the saddle1 in which case the retaining action of the flap on the bar will cease4 ,for this emergency1 ,messrs4 ,champion and ,wilton provide side saddles with a small leather case which contains an extra stirrup1 and which is attached to the near side of the saddle1 so that it is concealed from view1 when the lady is mounted 7,fig4 #ag74 ,the weight of the stirrup and case is only half a pound4 ,illustration3 ,fig4 #ag4--;,champion and ,wilton's extra stirrup case4 ,,safety ,,stirrups1 both for men and ladies1 have been in existence for hundreds of years4 ,apparently the first variety of this contrivance was the capped stirrup-iron1 either simple 7,fig4 #ah7 or in the form of a slipper 7,fig4 #ai71 which was provided with an arrangement on its sole that prevented the toe of the slipper from yielding to downward pressure1 but allowed it to revolve upwards1 and thus to facilitate the release of the foot1 in the event of a fall4 ,the simple capped stirrup was used by ancient ,spanish ,cavaliers1 and is still employed by many of their descendants in ,america4 ,in apparent oblivion of these facts1 the ,christie stirrup 7,fig4 #bj71 made on the same principle1 was patented about four years ago4 ,besides its undue weight 7#a-a_/d lb4 as compared to the #a_/b lb4 of the slipper stirrup71 it has the further disadvantage of allowing the possibility of the toe being caught between its bars 7,fig4 #ba74 ,want of neatness appears to have been the only cause of the abandonment of the capped stirrup1 which is certainly safer than any of its successors1 the first ,english one of which appears to have been the ,latchford safety stirrup 7,fig4 #bb74 ,it consists of two irons2 the small one1 which is placed within the large one1 being made to come out the moment the foot gets dragged in it1 in which case it parts company with its fellow1 and is then liable to get lost4 ,the ,scott safety stirrup 7,figs4 #bc and #bd7 has not this fault1 for its inner iron always retains its connection with the outer one1 and can be replaced without delay1 if the lady after her tumble desires to remount4 ,the ,latchford1 ,scott ordinary1 and ,cope safety stirrup 7,figs4 #be and #bf7 open only one way1 so that the foot1 when correctly placed in any of them1 may not be liable1 as in the event of a fall1 to be forced through the outer iron1 in which case the lady would almost to a certainty get hung up if her saddle was not provided with a safety bar4 ,in these stirrups1 the side of the tread1#df-99 which ought to be to the rear1 is generally indicated by the fact of its being straight1 while the other side is curved 7,fig4 #bd74 ,this is done in ,fig4 #bg1 by the word heel4 ,illustration3 ,fig4 #ah4--;,capped stirrup-iron4 ,illustration3 ,fig4 #ai4--,slipper stirrup4 ,illustration3 ,fig4 #bj4--,the ,christie stirrup4 ,illustration3 ,fig4 #ba4--;,foot caught4 ,illustration3 ,fig4 #bb4--,latchford stirrup4 ,illustration3 ,fig4 #bc4--,scott's stirrup4 ,illustration3 ,fig4 #bd4--,scott's stirrup open4 99 99 99 99 99 ,the chief faults of so-called safety stirrups are as follows3-- #a4 ,they may catch on the foot1 on account of getting crushed by coming in violent contact with a tree1 wall or other hard object1 or by the horse falling on his near side4 ,when ,i was living in ,india1 ,i had a ,scott safety stirrup jammed on my foot in this manner1 by a horse which ,i was riding1 making a sudden shy and dashing against a wall4 ,the iron was so firmly fixed to my foot by this accident1 that it could not be taken off until1 after much pain and trouble1 my foot was freed from both boot and stirrup4 ,had ,i been unseated1 ,i would probably have been killed1 because my saddle had not a safety bar4 ,illustration3 ,fig4 #be4--;,cope's stirrup4 #b4 ,those which open only when the foot is put into them in one way1 are apt to cause a fatal accident if put in the wrong way1 which may easily happen from carelessness or ignorance 7p4 #fd74 ,the methods 7straight edge of tread1 or word heel7 used with these stirrups1 to indicate the proper side on which to put the foot into the iron1 may convey no meaning to persons who are not well acquainted with the details of side-saddle gear1 and in moments of hurry and excitement may be easily overlooked4 #c4 ,any ordinary safety stirrup which is used without a safety bar may cause a lady to get hung up1 if she is thrown to the off side and her heel gets jammed against the saddle in the manner shown in ,fig4 #bh4 ,illustration3 ,fig4 #bf4--;,foot released by ,cope's stirrup4 #d4 ,if the outer iron is small in comparison to the size of the foot1 the rider may easily get dragged4 #e4 ,if the outer iron of a ,scott's reversible safety stirrup is large in comparison to the size of the foot 7as in the case of a young girl71 the rider may get dragged in the event of a fall1 by the foot going through the stirrup4 ,accidents caused by a foot going through a stirrup have often occurred to men from falls when hunting and steeplechasing4 ,illustration3 ,fig4 #bg4--,scott's stirrup4 ,some ladies think it smart to ride with a man's ordinary stirrup iron1 or 7madder still7 with a small racing stirrup1 attached to a leather which does not come out4 ,i once saw a lady who adopted this senseless plan fall and get dragged4 ,by an extraordinary piece of good luck she was saved from a horrible death by her boot coming off4 ,all that can be said in favour of safety stirrups1 is that they are less liable to cause accidents than ordinary stirrups4 ,the fact remains1 that the danger of being dragged by the stirrup can be entirely obviated only by the use of an efficient safety bar4 ,illustration3 ,fig4 #bh4--;,foot caught on off side4 ,,girths4 ,in referring to this subject1 ,i cannot do better than give the following extract from ,riding and ,hunting3-- ,girths1 while fulfilling their duty of efficiently keeping the saddle on a horse's back1 should be as little liable as possible to hurt the surface on which they press4 ,hence they should be broad1 soft1 and constructed so that their tendency to retain sweat between them and the horse's skin may be reduced as far as practicable4 ,they can best fulfil the last-mentioned important condition when they are absorbent and open in texture4 ,it is evident that sweat retained between the girth and the skin will have the effect of the moisture of a poultice in rendering the part soft and unusually liable to injury from pressure or friction4 ,as a material for girths1 wool is superior to cotton or leather1 because it is softer1 more absorbent1 and does not become so hard on drying after having become wet4 ,the only drawback to ordinary woollen girths is that they are not sufficiently ventilated1 an objection which has been overcome in specially constructed woollen girths that are sold by many good saddlers4 ,the plan of giving ventilation by slitting up a broad leather girth into several narrow straps1 or by using a number of cords of cotton or of plaited or twisted raw hide often acts well2 but its adoption may give rise to girth-galls1 if care is not taken to smooth out1 when girthing up1 any wrinkles there may be in the skin underneath the girth4 ,it is evidently more difficult for the pressure to be evenly distributed by these cords1 than by a broad girth which consists of one piece4 ,great care should be taken to keep girths clean and soft1 and to oil them from time to time1 if they be of leather4 ,i prefer a broad girth attached at each side by two buckles to two narrow girths4 ,the ,fitzwilliam girth1 which consists of a broad girth with a narrow one over it1 is handy with a martingale or breast-plate1 through the loop of which the narrow girth can be passed4 ,in a ,fitzwilliam girth1 the pressure of the narrow one on the centre of the broad one1 makes the edges of the broad girth incline outwards1 and thus apparently helps to save the horse from becoming girth-galled4 ,girths should always be buckled high up on the near side1 in order to prevent their buckles hurting the rider's left leg1 by making an uncomfortable bump in the flap of the saddle2 and also to allow plenty of space on the girth straps of the off side1 for shortening the girths as may be required4 ,,balance ,,strap4 ,this is a leather strap which is attached to the off side of the rear part of the saddle1 at one end2 and to a strap close to the girth straps of the near side1 at the other end4 ,before the days of safety bars1 its near side end was usually buckled on to the stirrup leather1 which was a faulty arrangement1 not only as regards the leather 7p4 #cf71 but also because its degree of tightness was a constantly varying quantity which entirely depended on the amount of pressure that the rider put on her stirrup4 ,the presence of a properly tightened balance strap helps to prevent lateral movement on the part of the saddle4 ,also it counteracts1 to some extent1 the excess of weight which almost every rider puts on the near side of her saddle2 this good effect being due to the fact that the off attachment of the balance strap is farther away from the centre line 7axis7 of the animal's body than the near attachment2 and consequently the pull of the balance strap on the off side acts to greater mechanical advantage than the pull on the near side4 ,,breast-,,plate4 ,the breast-plate is attached at one end to the girth or girths1 and at the other end to the staples of the saddle4 ,its use is to prevent the saddle shifting backwards1 as it might do if the girths were slack1 especially if the animal was very narrow waisted4 ,even with a well-shaped horse1 a breast-plate is often useful on a long day and in a hilly country4 ,it is much in favour with hunting ladies4 ,staples are small metal loops which are fixed to the front part of the saddle-tree4 ,,weight ,,of ,a ,,side-,,saddle4 ,in order to avoid giving a horse a sore back and consequently disabling him for the time being1 it is essential to have the tree rigid1 so that the weight may remain evenly distributed over the bearing surfaces of his back1 which rigidity cannot be obtained without having the tree fairly heavy4 ,the necessary width and length of saddle and strength of upper crutch and leaping head are also questions of weight4 ,hence if we require a saddle for rough and dangerous work like hunting1 we must not entertain the ridiculous idea of having a light saddle1 so that it may look particularly smart4 ,a fair weight for a side-saddle is one-seventh of the weight of the rider1 that is to say1 two pounds for every stone she weighs1 with a minimum weight of #ah lbs4 ,,shape ,,of ,,the ,,seat ,,of ,a ,,side-,,saddle4 ,the level-seated fad which some fashionable saddlers try to impress on their inexperienced customers is an absurdity from a hunting point of view1 because no one out of an idiot asylum would care to sit for several hours on a perfectly level surface1 whether it was a saddle or a chair4 ,the discomfort which such an attempt would entail1 is due to the fact that the nature of our anatomy requires a certain amount of dip in that portion of the seat upon which most of the weight falls4 ,the level-seated idea is purely theoretical1 because no saddles are made in conformance with it4 ,for hunting we must have comfort1 without1 of course1 any undue violation of smartness4 ,besides1 a certain amount of dip in the seat1 similar to that shown in ,fig4 #af1 is an aid to security4 ,a cutback pommel 7,fig4 #aa7 improves the look of a side-saddle without diminishing the rider's grip4 ,the seat on the near side should be eased off1 so as to allow the rider's left leg to get close to the horse2 and the near side1 close to the cantle1 should be made a little higher than the off side1 in order to correct any tendency there may be to sit too much over on the near side4 ,the saddles which ,i used on ,romance 7,fig4 #d71 and ,freddie 7,fig4 #g71 about fifteen years ago1 were not called level seated1 but we may see that they are quite as neat and smart as those of the present time1 which fact shows that very little change has been made in the shape of side-saddles since the eighties4 ,,the ,,saddle ,,must ,,fit ,,the ,,rider4 ,the two great points in this requirement are that the upper crutch and leaping head should be in a suitable position1 and the saddle sufficiently long1 so as to be about a couple of inches clear of the back of the rider's seat4 ,the right position of the upper crutch and leaping head can be determined only by experiment4 ,if the tree is so short as to allow any undue weight to fall on the cantle1 the horse will naturally run the risk of getting a sore back4 ,the height of the upper crutch and the length of the leaping head will vary according to the thickness of limb4 ,we shall see on pages #aej to #aeb1 that the position of the upper crutch which will suit a lady who hooks back her right leg1 will not be applicable to one who carries her right foot forward2 and vice versa4 ,a saddle which suits a rider's style of equitation will invariably fit her1 if its tree and its crutches are long enough4 ,hence1 if more than one member of a family wants to ride and there is only one horse1 a saddle which will fit the biggest will suit all the rest4 ,,crupper4 ,the office of a crupper is to prevent the saddle working forward on the horse's back1 which it will not do if the animal is of a proper shape and the girths sufficiently tight4 ,in ancient days1 when riding-horses were more rotund than they are now1 and saddles were not so well made1 cruppers were generally used1 but within the last forty years they have gone entirely out of fashion4 ,a crupper is not to be despised in out-of-the-way parts abroad1 when we have to ride animals of all sorts and sizes1 and when we have only one saddle4 ,,numdahs ,,and ,,saddle-,,cloths4 ,as the principles which regulate the use of these appliances with cross saddles are the same as those with side saddles1 ,i cannot do better than give the following extract from ,riding and ,hunting1 with one or two additions3 ,saddle-cloths are generally made of felt1 and their primary object is to prevent the panel from soaking up sweat and becoming thereby soiled and more or less spoiled4 ,the term numdah or numnah1 which is applied to felt saddle-cloths1 is derived from a ,hindustani word that signifies 'felt4' ,a saddle-cloth should be as thin as efficiency in serving its purpose will allow it to be1 so that it may give as little play as possible to the saddle4 ,although the fitting of the saddle should as far as practicable be limited to the adjustment of the shape of the tree and to regulating the amount of stuffing in the panel2 the use of a numdah with a saddle which does not fit the horse or which is not sufficiently stuffed1 is often a valuable makeshift when necessity gives no other choice4 ,the employment of an ordinary saddle-cloth is accompanied by the slight disadvantage1 that the middle line of the back which is covered by the saddle is deprived of the benefit of air circulating along it1 by the fact of the saddle-cloth resting on it4 ,an attempt to remedy this objection is sometimes made by cutting a longitudinal piece out of the centre of the saddle-cloth4 ,here the cure is worse than the complaint1 because injurious pressure will be exerted by the edges of the aperture thus made1 especially if the edges are bound with tape1 to preserve them from fraying out4 ,a saddle-cloth should extend about two inches beyond the bearing surfaces of the saddle1 so that its edges may not give rise to unequal pressure on the back1 which would occur if the saddle-cloth was shorter than the tree4 ,saddle-cloths made of one thickness of leather admirably answer the purpose of saving the panel from injury2 but for hunting and other long-continued work they have the objection of retaining perspiration1 instead of soaking it up1 as felt ones do4 ,it is a good plan before using a new saddle-cloth1 to rub a little neat's-foot oil into its rough 7upper7 surface1 which is much more absorbent than its smooth side4 ,if neat's-foot oil is not at hand1 cod liver oil or castor oil may be used4 ,the oily application can be repeated1 according as the leather gets dry4 ,as a substitute for a panel1 ,messrs4 ,champion and ,wilton have devised a numdah lined with spongio-piline and covered with linen1 to be used with a saddle1 the underneath part of the tree of which is covered with leather4 ,the chief advantage of this numdah is that a saddle which is provided with two or more of them1 can always present a dry bearing surface to the horse's back4 ,a stout numdah of this kind can be used with a high withered animal1 and a thin one with a horse which has thick withers4 ,its inventors claim that it distributes the weight better and keeps the saddle steadier than a panel4 ,,side-,,saddles ,,for ,,children4 ,as children are unable to take the necessary precautions against accident1 no considerations of fashion or smartness should outweigh those of safety for the little ones4 ,even the old handle at the off side of the saddle 7p4 #cj7 might be a valuable help to a very young beginner4 ,the seat of the saddle and the bearing surfaces of the upper crutch and leaping head had best be of rough leather1 and particular attention should be paid to the construction of the upper crutch and leaping head1 so that a maximum of grip may be obtained1 which is a point that is deplorably neglected by many of the makers of side-saddles for children4 ,children can ride in any comfortable saddle1 supposing that it is not too small4 ,i have taught very small girls to ride in my saddle and jump without reins on a horse #ae-c high4 ,a lady who attended one of these lessons1 which were held in ,ward's riding-school in ,london1 made two sketches of her little friends which1 by the kind permission of the ,editor of the ,queen1 in which paper they appeared1 ,i am able to reproduce4 ,we may see that the small horsewoman is sitting well over her hurdle and is riding with comfort in a saddle that is far too large for her4 ,the lady friend of the two little girls wrote about our work in the ,queen of ,june #ag1 #ahic1 as follows3 ,i made the acquaintance of the authoress of ,the ,horsewoman one morning in ,ward's ,manege1 where ,i went to see two little friends taking their riding lesson from her4 ,it was a novel and pretty sight4 ,mrs4 ,hayes has inaugurated a method of instruction hitherto unpractised1 and which must recommend itself to any one who sees the extraordinary progress which accompanies it4 ,the children are dressed in gymnastic costume 7,fig4 #bi7 and it was the third time only that they had been put on a horse--a large horse it was too1 and as patient and kindly as it is possible to be4 ,the first thing ,mrs4 ,hayes teaches is how to sit4 ,by the pupils wearing no skirt she can see at a glance whether the position of the legs is right1 and this is all-important4 ,illustration3 ,fig4 #bi4--;,child mounted4 ,by the time ,i saw the children they were galloping gaily round and round1 with radiant faces and flying hair1 sitting better into the saddle1 even at this early stage1 than many a woman who considers herself a complete rider4 ,they are not allowed to hold the reins2 the hands lie in the lap1 holding the whip across the knees1 which accustoms them from the first to keep their hands low1 besides teaching them to keep their seat without 'riding the bridle1' as so many people do4 ,the horse is driven with long reins1 like those used in breaking by ,captain ,hayes1 and managed by him with the dexterity of a circus master4 ,after a few turns at the canter1 wicker hurdles are put up1 and1 to my astonishment1 the children1 without the slightest fear or hesitation1 settled themselves down1 leaned well back1 and popped over without raising their hands or altering the position of their legs 7,fig4 #cj74 ,they had been over the same hurdles at the second lesson1 and too much can hardly be said in praise of a system that has such results to offer in so short a space of time4 ,mrs4 ,hayes herself1 as may be supposed1 looks every inch a 'workman' in the saddle4 ,she has ridden in most quarters of the globe2 and1 as if she sighed for other worlds to conquer1 and were blasee about all sorts and conditions of horses1 she rode a zebra at ,calcutta which was broken within an hour by her husband sufficiently to be saddled and bridled4 ,her experiences on his back are entertainingly set forth in her book ,the ,horsewoman1 which is well worth the reading1 not only for its hints on horsemanship1 but for the many amusing sporting anecdotes4 ,her other book is one which one would hardly have expected from a woman whose life has been in so great a measure devoted to horses and sport4 ,it is called ,my ,leper ,friends4 ,a friend indeed they must have thought her1 with her devoted sympathy and repeated endeavour to alleviate the sufferings from the most distressing and repulsive malady in the world4 ,another book is now on the stocks1 the preparation of which keeps ,captain and ,mrs4 ,hayes for the present in ,england4 ,that done1 they will soon start again on their travels1 ,england being a place that never holds their roving spirits long4 ,the curiosities1 and beautiful stuffs and feathers1 which they have gleaned in many lands will have to disappear into big boxes and be warehoused1 until some fresh store of adventures recalls the wanderers home4 ,meanwhile she teaches the art1 of which she is indeed a past mistress1 in a way which it is a pleasure and profit to see2 and ,i can most conscientiously advise any mother to send her girls to her if she wishes them to at once become perfect horsewomen while remaining perfect ladies4 ,illustration3 ,fig4 #cj4--;,child jumping without reins4 ,we had so many charming pupils during our short stay in ,london1 that ,i shall always regard this teaching period as one of the pleasantest events of my life4 ,i often think about them all1 and wonder how they are getting on with their riding1 and1 as their various difficulties have been present in my mind while writing this book1 ,i have done my best to solve them all as clearly as possible4 ,we put up small hurdles and got our tiny pupils to ride over them1 because ,i saw that they had grasped my explanation and demonstrations of balance and grip1 and it made them mightily proud of themselves1 and keen on learning all they could about riding1 when they found that they could sit over fences with ease4 ,although the school hurdles were small1 our grey horse which they rode was a big jumper1 which could negotiate a five-foot posts and rails with ease1 so the children who rode him were unconsciously carried a far greater height than they imagined1 for we all know that a big jumper makes a fine leap1 even over small fences4 ,in teaching children to ride we should always provide them with saddles in which they can obtain the grip that we ourselves require1 and should see that the length of the stirrup-leather is correct4 ,we should remember that the young horsewoman1 however tiny she may be1 requires to be provided with the best and safest appliances in the matter of stirrup1 safety bar1 and safety skirt1 that we can give her2 and ,i may say that if ,i had a daughter ,i would never allow her to ride unless her saddle was provided with ,champion and ,wilton's safety bar1 which ,i use1 and unless she wore my skirt or the safe little coat shown in ,fig4 #eg4 ,if reliance has to be placed on a safety stirrup in the absence of ,champion and ,wilton's safety bar1 only the capped stirrup-iron 7,fig4 #ah7 or the slipper stirrup 7,fig4 #ai7 should be employed4 ,i have no faith in one-sided safety stirrups for young girls1 for we cannot put old heads on young shoulders in the matter of careful attention about placing the foot in the safety stirrup from the proper side4 ,a groom may put the stirrup correctly on the foot of his young mistress before starting out with her for a quiet ride1 but these men naturally know nothing about the correct length of the stirrup leather1 and during the ride the stirrup may come out of the foot and be caught haphazard by the rider1 with the result that1 should she become unseated and thrown from her saddle by her horse suddenly shying with her1 she may be dragged and killed4 ,i therefore cannot too strongly recommend all mothers to see that their daughters' saddles are provided with reliable safety bars1 and of course that the children are provided with safety skirts1 for a safety bar is useless if the rider's skirt catches on the upper crutch and holds her suspended4 ,in ,july #ahig a young daughter of a well-known nobleman was dragged by her stirrup and killed while exercising her pony in a paddock4 ,as the stirrup was of a one-sided pattern1 it must have been negligently placed the wrong way 7,fig4 #ca7 on the foot of the poor girl1 who was only fifteen years old4 ,i heard that rider1 saddle1 and pony were all buried on the same day4 ,i would not be inclined to blame the groom if he were inexperienced1 as many are1 in the one-sidedness of so-called safety stirrups4 ,another equally terrible accident occurred in ,september #ahic1 when a young lady was dragged by her stirrup and killed while hacking along a road at ,kilhendre1 near ,ellesmere1 with her groom in attendance4 ,as far as ,i could gather from the newspaper report of this sad accident1 a butcher's cart driven rapidly round a corner caused the lady's pony to shy suddenly and unseat her1 with the result that she was dragged by her stirrup and killed4 ,at the inquest which was held on the body of this poor girl1 the jurymen devoted their entire attention to the character of the animal she was riding1 and as the father of the young lady1 who had bred the pony himself1 was able to show that it was a staunch and reliable animal1 the usual verdict of accidental death was given4 ,these twelve good men and true absolutely ignored the stirrup1 which had been the sole cause of this awful occurrence1 and concentrated their entire attention on the innocent pony she rode4 ,,saddling ,a ,,horse4 ,as a horse's loins are ill fitted to bear weight1 the saddle should be placed as far forward as it can go1 without interfering with the action of his shoulder-blades1 the position of the rearmost portion of which is indicated by the saddle muscle1 which is a lump of muscle below the withers4 ,the saddle can be placed about three inches behind it4 ,instead of putting the saddle on the exact part of the back it is to occupy1 it is best to place it a few inches too far forward1 and then to draw it back1 so as to smooth down the hair under it1 and thus make it comfortable for the animal4 ,the front girth is first taken up1 and then the next one1 which is passed through the loop of the martingale or breast-plate1 supposing that two girths of equal width are used4 ,to prevent any wrinkles being made in the skin under the girths1 and to make the pressure even1 the groom should shorten the girths to about half the required extent on one side1 should finish the tightening on the other side1 and should run his fingers between the girths and skin in order to smooth out any wrinkles1 the presence of which would be liable to cause a girth-gall4 ,as girthing up1 when the lady is mounted1 will have to be done on the off side1 sufficient space for that purpose will have to be left on the girth-straps of that side4 ,after the rider has been put up1 the girths should be again tightened1 and it is generally advisable to repeat this operation after she has ridden her horse for a short time1 especially if the animal has the trick of blowing himself out4 ,with a ,fitzwilliam girth1 the narrow girth which goes over the broad one is passed through the loop of the martingale or breast-strap1 supposing that one or both of these appliances are used4 ,the balance strap should be tightened to a fair extent1 though not quite so much as the girths1 because the portion of the ribs over which it passes1 expands and contracts far more than that encompassed by the girths4 ,illustration3 ,fig4 #ca4--;,foot caught1 on account of its having been put into the stirrup from the wrong side4 ,if a saddle-cloth be used1 the groom1 before girthing up1 should bring the front part of the cloth well up into the pommel with his forefinger or thumb1 so as to prevent it from becoming pressed down on the withers by the saddle4 ,,prevention ,,of ,,sore ,,backs4 ,the chief causes of sore backs brought on by side-saddles are3-- #a4 ,badly fitting saddles4 ,the fitting of saddles has already been discussed in this chapter4 #b4 ,neglect in girthing up sufficiently tight4 ,as the tightness of the girths diminishes according to the duration and severity of the work1 the girths should be taken up after the lady has ridden for some time4 ,for ordinary hacking1 tightening the girths after1 say1 five minutes' riding will generally be sufficient2 but this operation should be repeated1 for instance at the meet1 when out hunting4 ,knowledge of the necessity of having the girths tight enough1 to prevent the saddle wobbling1 will enable the rider to take the necessary precautions against putting her animal on the sick list from this cause4 #c4 ,undue weight on the near side1 which is generally caused by too long a stirrup1 by the leaping head being placed too low down1 and by rising at the trot for too long a time4 #d4 ,mismanagement of the horse after his return to the stable1 which is a subject ,i will allude to further on4 ,,cleaning ,a ,,saddle4 ,the leather work of a saddle should be kept clean and soft1 with the stitches clearly defined1 and not clogged up by grease or dirt4 ,no stain should be left on a white pocket-handkerchief or kid glove1 if it be passed over any portion of the leather4 ,beeswax may be used to give the saddle a polish2 but it should be sparingly applied and should be well rubbed in1 for it is apt to make the leather very sticky4 ,nothing but specially prepared or good white soap 7made into a thick lather7 should be employed to clean the leather work1 except a little lime-juice or lemon-juice to remove stains4 ,the use of soft soap permanently darkens leather4 ,a small amount of saddle dressing may be put on once a month1 in order to keep the leather soft and pliable4 ,the steel work should1 of course1 be kept bright4 ,,footnotes3 #df-99 ,the tread is the part of the stirrup-iron on which the sole of the rider's boot rests4 ,,chapter ,,iv4 ,,bridles4 ,description of a ,bridle--,varieties of ,bits--,snaffles--,curbs--,pelhams-- ,nose-bands--,reins--,martingales--,adju stment of the ,bridle4 ,as there is no difference between the bridles used by men and those employed by ladies1 ,i have compiled this chapter from my husband's ,riding and ,hunting1 to which ,i beg to refer my readers for any further information they may require4 ,,description ,,of ,a ,,bridle4 ,a bridle consists of a bit1 head-stall and reins4 ,the bit is the piece of metal which goes into the animal's mouth2 the head-stall or head is the leather straps which connect the bit to the horse's head2 and the reins enable the rider to use the bit4 ,some persons incorrectly restrict the term bit in all cases to a curb4 ,this particular application of the word is from custom allowable in the expression bit and bridoon1 in which the bit signifies a curb1 and the bridoon a snaffle4 ,illustration3 ,fig4 #cb4--;,head of a ,single ,bridle3 a1 ,crown-piece2 b1 b1 ,cheek-pieces2 c1 ,throat-latch2 d1 ,front or ,brow-band4 ,illustration3 ,fig4 #cc4--,unjointed ,snaffle4 ,illustration3 ,fig4 #cd4--;,chain ,snaffle4 ,illustration3 ,fig4 #ce4--,ordinary ,snaffle with ,cheeks4 ,illustration3 ,fig4 #cf4--,nutcracker action of ,jointed ,snaffle on ,horse's ,mouth4 ,illustration3 ,fig4 #cg4--;,action of ,unjointed ,snaffle on ,horse's ,mouth4 ,illustration3 ,fig4 #ch4--;,action of the ,curb as a ,lever4 ,the names of the different leather parts of a bridle 7,fig4 #cb7 are as follows3-- ,the crown piece 7a7 passes over the horse's poll4 ,the cheek pieces 7b b7 connect the crown-piece with the bit4 ,the throat-latch 7c71 which is usually pronounced throat-lash1 passes under the animal's throat1 and serves to prevent the bridle from slipping over his head4 ,illustration3 ,fig4 #ci4--,properly constructed ,curb for ordinary ,hunter4 ,side ,view4 ,the front1 forehead-band or brow-band 7d7 goes across the horse's forehead1 and has a loop at each end1 for the crown-piece to pass through4 ,front is the trade name for this strap4 ,the head-stall or head1 which is the trade term1 is the name given to all this leather work4 ,,varieties ,,of ,,bits4 ,bits may be divided into snaffles1 curbs and ,pelhams4 ,,snaffles4 ,a snaffle is a bit which acts on a horse's mouth by direct pressure1 and not by leverage4 ,illustration3 ,fig4 #dj4--,ward ,union ,curb ,bridle with ,half-moon ,snaffle4 ,a bridoon is the term applied to the snaffle of a double bridle1 which is a bridle that has a curb and a snaffle4 ,a double bridle is often called a bit and bridoon4 ,illustration3 ,fig4 #da4--;,curb ,chain covered with ,india-rubber ,tube4 ,illustration3 ,fig4 #db4--;,chin-strap unbuckled4 ,illustration3 ,fig4 #dc4--;,chin-strap buckled4 ,the best kinds of snaffles are the half-moon snaffle which has an unjointed and slightly curved mouth-piece 7,fig4 #cc72 and the chain snaffle 7,fig4 #cd74 ,the objection to the jointed snaffle 7,fig4 #ce71 which is the kind generally used1 is that it has a nut-cracker action on the animal's mouth1 instead of exerting a direct pressure1 as shown respectively in ,figs4 #cf and #cg4 ,a chain snaffle should always have a ,hancock's curl bit mouth cover1 which is a roll of india-rubber that curls round the mouth-piece1 and prevents it hurting the mouth4 ,in the absence of this india-rubber arrangement1 we may cover the mouth-piece with two or three turns of wash-leather1 which can be kept in its place by sewing4 ,illustration3 ,fig4 #dd4--;,curb reversed by horse throwing up his head1 in the absence of a chin strap4 ,in all cases a snaffle should be thick and smooth1 so that it may not hurt the horse's mouth4 ,,curbs4 ,a curb is a bit which acts as a lever1 by means of the curb-chain that passes under the animal's lower jaw 7,fig4 #ch74 ,fig4 #ci shows a properly constructed curb for a horse with an ordinary sized mouth4 ,the best curb which is in general use is the ,ward ,union 7,fig4 #dj74 ,the curb-chain should have broad and thick links1 so that it may not hurt the lower jaw4 ,this precaution can be supplemented by a leather guard or by passing the curb-chain through a rubber tube 7,fig4 #da74 ,a chin-strap 7,figs4 #db and #dc7 is necessary to keep the curb in its place 7,fig4 #dd74 ,,pelhams4 ,a ,pelham is a bit which can act either as a curb or a snaffle1 according to the reins which are taken up4 ,unless a lady thoroughly understands the handling of the reins1 she should not use a ,pelham1 because her tendency when riding will be to feel both reins1 in which case the snaffle reins will pull the mouth-piece high up in the mouth1 which1 as we shall see further on1 is the wrong position for the action of the curb4 ,hence1 only one pair of reins 7either those of the snaffle or those of the curb7 should be brought into play when using a ,pelham4 ,,nose-,,bands4 ,the use of a nose-band is to keep the horse's mouth shut1 in the event of his holding his jaws wide apart1 so as to resist the action of the bit4 ,to be effective1 it should be fixed low down4 ,the cavasson nose-band 7,fig4 #de7 is neat and serviceable4 ,illustration3 ,fig4 #de4--;,cavasson ,nose-band4 ,,reins4 ,reins should be fairly broad 7say1 #g_/h inch7 and moderately thin1 so that they may be handled with efficiency and ease4 ,with a double bridle1 the curb reins are sometimes made a little narrower than the snaffle reins1 which is an arrangement ,i like1 because it greatly helps the rider to distinguish one pair of reins from the other4 ,with the same object1 ,i like the snaffle reins to be connected by a buckle1 and the curb reins by sewing4 ,illustration3 ,fig #df4--,standing ,martingale attached to rings of the ,snaffle4 ,illustration3 ,fig4 #dg4--,lord ,lonsdale's registered ,running ,martingale4 ,,martingales4 ,the only kinds of martingales which we need consider are the standing martingale which is buckled on to the rings of the snaffle 7,fig4 #df7 and the running martingale 7,fig4 #dg74 ,following in the footsteps of that high priest of ,irish horsemanship1 ,mr4 ,john ,hubert ,moore1 ,i pin my faith to the standing martingale1 as it has enabled me on many occasions to ride1 in peace and quietness1 horses which without it would have been most dangerous handfuls4 ,its great virtue1 when properly put on1 is to prevent the animal getting his head too high4 ,if he be allowed to do this and is unruly1 whether from vice or impetuosity1 our power over him will more or less vanish1 and besides he will not be able to accurately see where he is going1 in which case we will be lucky if we escape without an accident4 ,the famous steeplechase horse1 ,scots ,grey1 would never win a race without one of these martingales to keep his head in proper position4 ,when lengthened out to its maximum effective length 7,fig4 #dh71 it cannot possibly impede the horse in any of his paces or in jumping4 ,it is1 of course1 well to accustom a horse to its use before riding him in it over a country4 ,it at least doubles one's power over a puller1 and is invaluable for controlling and guiding a green animal4 ,illustration3 ,fig4 #dh4--,maximum length of ,standing ,martingale4 ,it is a common idea that the chief use of a running martingale is to prevent a horse raising his head too high4 ,we find1 however1 that when our best flat race and steeplechase jockeys and other good horsemen ride with this martingale1 they almost invariably have it so long1 that it has little or no effect in keeping the head down4 ,when a horse is prevented from raising his head too high by a standing martingale attached to the rings of the snaffle1 he is punished by the tension of the martingale being transmitted to the mouth-piece of the snaffle1 if he tries to get his head in the air2 but the moment he brings his head down and bends his neck1 cessation of the painful pressure will reward him for his obedience4 ,this automatic means of dispensing punishment and reward is so accurate in its working1 that a horse soon learns the lesson set before him4 ,but with a running martingale1 the rider1 in order to reward the horse for bringing his head into proper position1 would have to slacken out the reins with a promptness that would be seldom attainable1 and with an entire disregard of control over the animal4 ,in fact1 with a running martingale1 adjusted so as to prevent the horse from getting his head too high1 the reins would have to perform the dual office of keeping down the head1 and of regulating the speed1 which duties could seldom be successfully combined4 ,with a standing martingale1 however1 the rider can safely relinquish the adjustment of the height of the animal's head to the martingale1 and consequently he is not forced to check the horse's speed1 when he wants to get his head down4 ,some good horsemen1 on finding that the running martingale did not perform its supposed office efficiently1 have discarded it altogether1 and thenceforth have trusted to their hands to act as their martingale4 ,in this they were right not to use a running martingale to keep a horse's head down2 but they were wrong in thinking that keeping the head down was the only1 or even the principal1 use of this article of gear4 ,if we closely examine its action1 we shall find that the great value of this martingale is to aid the rider in turning a horse by keeping his neck straight1 when cantering or galloping1 which object is greatly facilitated by the opposite rein exerting a strong pressure on the neck4 ,illustration3 ,fig4 #di4--,side view of ,horse's lower jaw4 ,in regulating the length of the running martingale1 we should carefully guard against making it so short that it would interfere with the horse's mouth1 when he is not carrying his head unnaturally high2 for such interference could have no good result1 and would probably impede the animal's movements4 ,although it is impossible to determine with mathematical accuracy the exact length of this martingale1 we find in practice that it should not be shorter than a length which will allow it1 when drawn up1 to reach as high as the top of the withers4 ,lengthening it out another three or four inches will generally be an improvement4 ,the use of a running martingale shorter than the minimum ,i have just laid down1 more or less irritates the horse2 because1 even when he holds his head in correct position1 he cannot escape from its disagreeable pressure4 ,the employment of a short running martingale for 'cross country work is a very dangerous proceeding2 for if the rider does not leave the reins loose when jumping1 the horse will be almost certain to hurt his mouth1 and consequently he will be afraid to face his bit1 or will become unmanageable from pain1 either eventuality being highly dangerous to horse and rider4 ,illustration3 ,fig4 #ej4--;,angle made by the ,cheeks of a ,curb1 when the ,reins are taken up4 ,,adjustment ,,of ,,the ,,bridle4 ,the bit is placed in the horse's mouth1 because there is a vacant space 7of about four inches in length7 on the gums of his lower jaw1 between his back teeth and tushes 7canine teeth or eye teeth71 as we may see in ,fig4 #di4 ,a mare has no tushes1 or possesses them in only a rudimentary form4 ,the tushes of a horse begin to appear through his gums when he is about #d years old4 ,if horses had not this convenient gap 7interdental space7 in their rows of teeth1 we would probably have to guide and control them by means of reins attached to a nose-band1 which is a method practised by many ,american cow-boys when breaking in young horses4 ,owing to the fact that their nose-band 7hackamore7 does not hurt the animal's mouth1 and that it gives all the necessary indications1 excellent results1 ,i believe1 are obtained with it4 ,illustration3 ,fig4 #ea4--,view of under-surface of ,lower ,jaw4 ,as the pressure of the bit should be an indication of the wishes of the rider and not a means of inflicting pain1 the bit should rest on the least sensitive portion of the interdental space1 namely1 on the part just above the tushes2 because there the jaw-bone is broader than higher up1 and is consequently better able to bear pressure4 ,hence1 with a double bridle1 the mouth-piece of the curb should be just clear of the tushes of the horse or gelding 7,fig4 #di71 and about one inch above the corner front teeth of the mare2 in fact1 as low as possible without making the curb-chain liable to slip over the animal's chin4 ,the fact of the mouth-piece of the curb being in this position has the further advantage1 that it prevents the curb-chain from working up on the sharp edges of the lower surface of the jaw4 ,the curb-chain in ,fig4 #ej rests in what is called the chin-groove1 which is the depression that covers the bone immediately below the point at which the lower jaw divides into two branches 7,fig4 #ea74 ,the edges of these branches are sharp1 but that portion of the bone which is between their point of separation and the front teeth1 is smooth and rounded4 ,the snaffle1 whether by itself or in conjunction with a curb1 should be placed sufficiently low1 so as not to wrinkle the corners of the mouth4 ,the tightness of the curb-chain should in no case exceed that which will allow the cheeks of the curb the amount of play shown in ,fig4 #ej4 ,with a light mouthed horse1 the curb-chain might be let out another hole or two4 ,the throat-latch should be loose1 so that it may not exert any pressure on the animal's wind-pipe4 ,,chapter ,v4 ,,riding ,,dress4 ,habits and ,safety ,skirts--,breeches--,underclothing--,hat s--,boots--,gloves-- ,riding ,under-,bodice1 ,hunting ,ties1 ,collars1 ,cuffs1 and ,ties4 ,,habits ,,and ,,safety ,,skirts4 ,the choice of the material for a riding habit is naturally limited to the price which the purchaser intends to pay for the garment4 ,i would1 however1 strongly counsel the selection of the best possible cloth1 as only from it can a really successful habit be constructed4 ,tailors who make a habit for five guineas1 doubtless give the best value they can for that sum2 but when we consider that a good ,melton cloth costs about a guinea a yard1 we can understand that it is impossible to get material of that class in a cheap garment4 ,all good habit makers will admit--though in most cases very reluctantly--that ,melton is by far the best material for riding habits which are intended for hard wear1 as in hunting2 but it possesses1 in their eyes1 the very grave fault of longevity1 for a good ,melton habit lasts for several years4 ,rough-faced cloths1 such as cheviot1 frieze1 and serge1 retain moisture like a blanket1 and shrink after exposure to much rain2 but ,melton1 which is of a hard and unyielding texture1 and has a smooth surface1 is almost impervious to wet4 ,the virtues of this material are much appreciated by experienced hunting women for hard wear4 ,there is a something about the hang of a perfectly-fitting ,melton habit which no other material seems to possess2 and whatever the elements may be doing1 it never appears out of place4 ,on the other hand1 if it is badly cut1 it exposes the shortcomings of its maker in the most ungenerous manner1 and is so obstinate that all the altering in the world will not make it forgive the insult to its cloth4 ,a ,melton habit1 therefore1 requires to be cut by one who is an artist at his trade4 ,another advantage possessed by this cloth is that it is far easier to clean than any rough-faced material4 ,an experienced saddler has drawn my attention to the fact that the dye from skirts made of cheap shoddy material1 is apt to come off and seriously injure the leather of the saddle4 ,the colour of a habit is a matter of taste on which ,i can offer no advice1 except that a lady who requires to wear her habit until it exhibits signs of old age1 would do well to select an inconspicuous tint4 ,i have always found dark blue the most serviceable shade1 because it does not fade1 even in tropical climates1 nor does it1 like black1 turn green and rusty-looking before it is worn out4 ,besides1 it admits of a new skirt or new coat1 as the case may be1 without emphasising the disparity in age of its companion so much as is the case with lighter shades1 such as grey for instance4 ,some years ago1 various shades of green1 brown1 and claret colour were worn1 but they seem to have been superseded by dark grey and dark blue1 at least in the ,shires1 though since the death of our lamented ,queen ,victoria1 black has been greatly used4 ,illustration3 ,fig4 #eb4--,the ,hayes' ,safety ,skirt open for mounting4 ,in selecting a ,melton habit1 a heavy make called treble ,melton should be chosen for the skirt1 and a lighter one of the same material1 which all good habit makers keep in stock1 for the coat2 because1 in order to hang well1 a skirt must be of heavy cloth1 which would1 of course1 be too hard and unyielding for a riding coat4 ,we require a kind1 pliable cloth for our coats1 to allow us absolute ease and freedom of movement1 but our skirts1 even for wear in the tropics1 should be of a thick1 heavy make4 ,when ,i went out to ,india in #ahhe1 safety skirts were unknown1 or1 at least they were not constructed by ,creed1 of ,conduit ,street1 who made my habits1 and who was in those days regarded as the best habit maker in ,london4 ,he told me that my thick ,melton skirt would be of no use to me in that hot country1 and recommended a habit of khaki-coloured drill1 for which ,i paid sixteen guineas1 as he would not make any kind of riding habit for less than that sum4 ,i soon found that my investment was a failure1 for the skirt flapped about like a sheet in the wind1 and the marks of perspiration on my coat looked most unsightly1 so ,i handed over my drill habit to my ayah1 a gift which ,i know she did not appreciate at anything approaching its cost4 ,i found myself more comfortably garbed in my ,melton skirt1 for heat in riding is not felt to any appreciable extent below the waist1 and ,i provided myself with jackets of white drill1 on which marks of perspiration are not so unsightly as on a coloured material4 ,illustration3 ,fig4 #ec4--,off side of ,the ,hayes' ,safety ,skirt4 ,as safety in the saddle is the first consideration1 and as no article of riding dress has proved such a death-trap as the skirt1 no lady should ride in one of the old-fashioned1 dangerous pattern4 ,i am thankful to say ,i was never dragged in any of those ancient garments1 but ,i was fully aware of this danger1 and devised1 as ,i explained in the first edition of this book1 a means of lessening it by buttoning the under and outer part of the skirt just above the knee to the breeches1 by means of large flat cloth buttons1 the same colour as the skirt1 being sewn on the breeches1 and corresponding button-holes being made in the skirt4 ,the idea was a practical one1 but ,i was by no means satisfied with it1 and ,i began to evolve a safety skirt of my own4 ,while ,i was experimenting with a pair of scissors on an old skirt in which a groom was seated on a side-saddle1 a habit maker sent me and asked me to wear and recommend what he called a perfectly-fitting skirt4 ,this awful thing had glove-like fingers1 which were made to fit the upper crutch and the leaping head6 ,i hope no lady ever risked her neck in such a death-trap as that4 ,in puzzling out my safety skirt1 ,i desired to attain two objects1 namely1 absolute safety in the saddle1 and a decent covering for my limbs when out of it1 so that ,i might be able to dismount and walk exposed to the gaze of men at any time or place1 without my dress1 or rather want of it1 being made the subject of remark4 ,i had a nice quiet horse1 who allowed me to thoroughly test my invention by falling off his back in every conceivable direction1 my husband being present to prevent my voluntary fall from degenerating into a cropper4 ,mr4 ,tautz1 the well-known breeches maker of ,oxford ,street1 witnessed these acrobatic feats1 and after we had all been perfectly convinced of the absolute safety of the garment1 he took it on a royalty4 ,my skirt has now been on the market for several years1 and ,i am glad to have this opportunity of thanking the numerous ladies who have shewn their appreciation of it4 ,fig4 #eb gives the appearance of the ,hayes' ,safety ,skirt1 when its wearer is ready to mount1 ,fig4 #ec shows the off side when in the saddle1 in ,fig4 #ed we see the side opening1 from which the cloth near the crutches is cut entirely away1 closed for walking1 and ,fig4 #f shows the hang of the skirt when the wearer is mounted4 ,since this skirt was invented1 ,i have had several opportunities of further testing its merits1 especially when riding young horses which have fallen with me in ,leicestershire1 and ,i would not care to ride in any other kind4 ,there are several safety skirts1 but it is obvious that the best kind is one that is safe to ride in1 presentable when dismounted1 and easily arranged1 which conditions are thoroughly fulfilled by my patent4 ,there are riding women who object so much to the indecency of apron skirts 7,figs4 #ee and #ef7 that they adopt the dangerous closed pattern4 ,my skirt would commend itself to those of my sex who are sufficiently old-fashioned in their ideas to desire a safe and1 at the same time1 decent and graceful covering4 ,some ladies consider it smart to expose their limbs1 if we may judge from the free exhibitions to be seen in the hunting field1 while others1 who are aware of the unbecoming effect1 have their breeches made extra baggy behind6 ,illustration3 ,fig4 #ed4--,the ,hayes' ,safety ,skirt closed for walking4 ,the apron skirt is an extremely cold1 comfortless garment for winter wear1 because it is merely a left-side covering for the limbs1 while the right side being entirely unclothed1 the lines and rotundity of the figure are1 when the wearer rises in trotting1 displayed to the wondering gaze of those who ride behind her4 ,as1 in the apron skirt1 there is no covering of ,melton cloth to sit on and take off some of the wear and tear of the breeches1 these garments become quickly worn out at the seat1 and necessitate a double thickness of cloth at that part4 ,there is another kind of safety skirt which is a combination of breeches and skirt in one2 but ,i consider this a very unsanitary arrangement1 for it is obvious that the undergarment must be kept clean1 and handed over when necessary to the laundress to be carefully washed1 before sending it to a tailor to be pressed and repaired as may be required4 ,it is part of a groom's duty in small households to attend to the cleaning of his mistress's hunting boots and skirt1 but a combination garment should not be cleaned by a male servant4 ,illustration3 ,fig4 #ee4--;,apron skirt open for mounting4 ,any skirt which ensures safety in the saddle is preferable to the old-fashioned shape1 with its dangerous bundle of cloth over the crutches1 a fact which is so well understood by hunting women that none who hunt in ,leicestershire1 or ,i hope in any other place1 appear in those early ,victorian atrocities4 ,provision of this kind does not appear to be insisted on for the safety of young ladies2 for ,i saw a girl dragged in ,leicestershire1 and ,lord ,lonsdale1 who fortunately stopped her horse1 sent her home1 and told her not to hunt with his hounds until she had provided herself with a safety skirt4 ,the young and inexperienced1 who1 with the fearlessness of ignorance1 are prone to rush headlong into difficulties1 ought surely to be safeguarded in every possible manner4 ,fig4 #eg shows a safe and comfortable riding dress for a very young girl4 ,for winter wear1 the coat and leggings should be made of ,melton2 and the breeches of elastic cloth or knitted wool to match4 ,it is well to have the coat buttoned over the right leg1 so as to protect that limb from cold and wet4 ,for summer use1 a linen coat is worn4 ,we may notice that the sweet little horsewoman has a good seat1 and is capable of taking sole charge of her nice pony4 ,the safest and most comfortable length for a riding skirt is when it just covers the rider's left foot when she is seated in the saddle with her stirrup at its usual length4 ,it is best for a lady to use her own saddle when having her habit fitted1 as her stirrup will then be at the length she rides in1 and the crutches will also receive the necessary consideration from the fitter4 ,care should be taken that the skirt fits well over the right knee1 when the wearer is seated in her saddle4 ,creed and other good makers of the past always padded this knee part1 which gave not only a nice1 rounded appearance to the knee1 especially in the case of a very thin lady1 but ensured the skirt being put on straight with a minimum of trouble4 ,present day skirts have not this small round pad for the right knee to fit into1 but its omission is far from being an improvement on the old fashion4 ,illustration3 ,fig4 #ef4--,the apron skirt closed for walking4 ,whatever shape a lady may select for her riding coat1 she should pay particular attention to the fit of the sleeves1 which must not in any way hamper the movements of her arms4 ,before trying it on1 its wearer should procure a good pair of riding corsets1 which must allow free play to the movements of her hips1 and1 above all1 she must not lace them tightly4 ,wasp waists have luckily gone out1 never1 ,i hope1 to return4 ,the size of a woman's waist1 if she is not deformed1 is in proportion to that of the rest of her body4 ,therefore1 a pinched waist1 besides rendering the tightly girthed-up lady uncomfortable1 to say nothing of its probable effect on the tint of her nose1 deceives no one4 ,it is impossible to ride with ease and grace in tight stays1 a fact which we should remember when trying on a habit coat1 for the fitter will follow the shape1 or mis-shape1 of the corsets1 and the coat will be built on those lines4 ,the back of the garment should be quite flat1 and padding may be needed in the case of hollow backs1 as there should be no high water line across the back defining where corset ends and back commences4 ,the collar should fit nicely into the neck at the back1 and not gape open from being cut too low4 ,there should be no fulness at the top of the sleeves1 for nothing looks more unsightly than bumpy shoulders on horseback4 ,it would be well for the wearer when trying on1 to lean back and extend her arms1 as she would do when giving her horse his head over a fence1 in order to find out if the sleeves are likely to hamper the movements of the arms1 as they sometimes do1 from the coat being cut too narrow across the chest4 ,it is no use fitting on a coat once or twice1 and then leaving it to chance2 for1 to secure a perfect fit1 the garment will require to be tried on until there are no further alterations to be made in it4 ,whatever shape may be chosen1 the coat should not be made too long1 or it will flap and flop about in a most ungraceful manner4 ,fig4 #eh shows a loose-fitting coat which is not smart1 because it is too long1 and as it rests on the horse's back1 it will wrinkle up when its wearer sits down in trotting and will look ugly4 ,if this coat was a good four inches shorter at the back1 and graduated off to just cover the right knee1 it would be clear of the horse's back and present a far neater and less sloppy appearance4 ,many habit makers who run apron skirts of their own1 insist on making riding coats far too long1 of course with the object of hiding the indecency of the apron skirt when its wearer is on foot4 ,ladies who do not adopt that kind of skirt1 should not allow tailors who have had no practical experience in side-saddle riding1 to dictate what they consider best1 to experienced horsewomen4 ,i find that young habit makers who are new at their business are far more trying in this respect1 than their more experienced elders4 ,illustration3 ,photo4 by ,,the ,,rev4 ,g4 ,,broke4 ,fig4 #eg4--,riding dress for child4 ,illustration3 ,fig4 #eh4--,loose riding coat1 too long4 ,we have only to look at fashion plates to see that no dress is suggested for ladies who are inclined to be stout1 for in them1 only slim figures appear to receive consideration4 ,i would recommend the loose-fitting coat as the most becoming for portly persons1 because with a loose garment there is no abrupt accentuation of bulk1 a fact which many stout ladies who adopt the ,eton jacket style of dress1 fail to recognise4 ,on the stage1 a slim actress may look well in tights1 but this skin-like covering on a bulky figure would be ridiculously ugly4 ,as the same lady draped in loose flowing robes may present a graceful and dignified appearance2 those who are inclined to be portly would do well to wear loose-fitting riding coats1 being careful to see that they are made to just reach the saddle and not flop on the back of the horse1 or they will not be smart or comfortable to ride in4 ,in ,fig4 #eh ,i have shown how unnecessarily bulky a woman with a #be-;inch waist may be made to look in a loose coat which is too long4 ,tailors do not like making these articles of dress1 especially when they are of ,melton cloth1 because they are extremely difficult to manipulate1 and the hang of such a garment will be hideous if its cutter be not a true artist at his business1 for a loose coat is nothing if not graceful in outline4 ,it is impossible to tell1 when seated on a wooden horse1 how a loose coat will hang when ridden in1 so the finishing touches1 such as pockets1 c41 should never be made until the wearer has tried the coat on her own horse1 with a critical friend to ride with her and tell her if anything is amiss with it4 ,the little extra trouble this precaution may involve1 is nothing as compared with the disappointment of having to put up with an ill-fitting garment4 ,some tailors have a ,mayhew saddle on their block horse for fitting skirts2 because in that kind of saddle1 the crutches give them no trouble as regards poking up2 but if a lady uses a saddle with ordinary crutches1 she should be wary and take her own saddle for the fitting of her skirt4 ,there are habit makers who recommend tight-fitting coats for stout figures1 because1 they argue1 the bulk is there and must go somewhere2 but a deaf ear should be turned to such arguments1 as an ample figure should be concealed2 not accentuated4 ,naturally these gentlemen are prejudiced against loose coats1 for apart from the difficulty in making them1 they cut into a much larger amount of valuable cloth than tight-fitting ones4 ,tailors will readily admit that this shaped coat is the best for young girls1 because tight-fitting ones would give them too much of a grown-up appearance1 but not for the stout girl1 who has far more need to conceal her grown-up appearance6 ,illustration3 ,fig4 #ei4--;,front view of good riding coat4 ,twenty years ago tailors were much more particular over their work than they appear to be at the present time4 ,creed always insisted on a lady bringing her own saddle1 before he would fit a habit1 and1 if the garment did not please him1 it would be discarded and another cut out ready for her when she next came to be fitted4 ,this generous method of dealing was amply repaid2 because it soon became known that the old man would not allow an imperfect garment to leave his shop4 ,for hunting1 it is best to have a coat which will afford us protection from cold and wet1 and therefore its fronts should be made to cover the right knee1 the buttons being concealed under the skirt of the coat4 ,this shape is in every way good1 because there are no floppy fronts to trouble us by blowing back on windy days1 and when the rain drips from the hat1 the coat-covering helps to keep our right knee dry4 ,in the old-fashioned habits1 great care was taken that nothing could become displaced1 to spoil the effect1 as an old lady friend puts it1 of the beautiful gliding motion of a ship in full sail4 ,i fear now-a-days we allow our sails to flop about far too much1 and destroy that beautiful gliding motion4 ,what could be more ugly than a coat with tails which reach nearly to a horse's hocks1 and no front covering whatever to protect the knee in bad weather8 ,wind1 which is no respecter of persons1 seizes these long tails and hurls them over the back of the rider's head1 as she stands in a wild blast at the covert side looking very tailly and cold4 ,besides covering the right knee1 the coat should have a collar that will turn up and fasten at the throat with a button and strap1 to keep out wet1 and cuffs that will turn down over the hands4 ,illustration3 ,fig4 #fj4--;,back view of good riding coat4 ,clad in a sensible garment of this kind1 which should be smart and well-fitting1 we can defy the elements without running any undue risks4 ,fig4 #ei shows a coat which is made to cover the right knee4 ,fig4 #fj gives the back view1 and is a useful length4 ,fashion1 whoever he or she may be1 invents more or less fearful and wonderful coats1 which appear every season in the hunting field2 but these curiosities go out suddenly1 and the end of the season generally sees us all garbed in the old motley2 for the newcomers have been tried and found wanting4 ,the best way to clean a mud-stained habit is to dry it thoroughly and brush the mud off4 ,any white marks of perspiration from the horse which may remain after a skirt has been thoroughly brushed and beaten1 may be removed by benzine collas1 or cloudy ammonia diluted with water1 or they may be sponged with soft soap and water1 care being taken to remove all the soap from the cloth4 ,for riding during the hot weather in ,india and other tropical countries1 a very useful garment is a ,norfolk jacket in cream stockinet1 which can be purchased ready-made4 ,it fits the figure closely1 and has three pleats in front and behind1 which are sewn to the garment1 the buttons being concealed under the front pleat 7,fig4 #fa74 ,the best kind of belt1 ,i think1 for wearing with this jacket is one made like a girth1 of ordinary cream girth webbing1 as it is easy to wash when soiled4 ,jackets in white drill1 which may be worn open with soft-fronted shirts 7,fig4 #fb71 are also to be commended1 as they wash well and always look clean and cool4 ,some ladies dispense with a jacket1 and ride with a shirt and belt2 but that style is not generally becoming1 and is suggestive of forgetfulness in dressing4 ,in ,ceylon ,i obtained very smart checked flannel for riding jackets4 ,in ,china and ,japan a fine crepe flannel1 which does not shrink in washing1 may be had for this purpose1 but ,i have been unable to procure it in other countries4 ,illustration3 ,fig4 #fa4--,terai hat and ,norfolk jacket4 ,illustration3 ,fig4 #fb4--,pith hat and drill jacket4 ,a lady who intends to hunt will find a driving coat necessary when travelling by rail1 or driving to and from a hunt4 ,fig4 #fc shows a comfortable coat in ,melton cloth1 with storm collar and cuffs of astrakan4 ,a good driving coat is a costly garment1 but it can be utilised as a winter or travelling coat4 ,the collar of the subject of this illustration was made specially high for use in ,russia1 where1 during winter1 the cold is so intense that ,i often found my pocket-handkerchief frozen hard in my pocket1 although this thick ,melton coat was wadded throughout4 ,the ,hayes' ,safety skirt worn under this coat is looped up from the right knee button to a tab of elastic attached to the waist of the skirt1 which obviates the necessity of holding up the skirt4 ,illustration3 ,fig4 #fc4--;,good driving coat4 ,,breeches4 ,i shall not say anything about trousers1 because ,i do not think they are worn by riding women of the present time1 and also for the very good reason that ,i have never worn them4 ,i think they would be uncomfortable to use for hunting1 for1 unlike breeches1 they do not fit the knees closely4 ,trousers went out of fashion about thirty years ago1 before safety skirts came into general use4 ,it used to be extremely difficult for ladies to get a properly-fitting pair of riding breeches1 as no correct measurement for them was taken1 and it was not pleasant to be obliged to interview male fitters respecting the cut of these garments4 ,messrs4 ,tautz and ,sons1 of ,oxford ,street1 solved the difficulty by providing us with a competent female fitter1 who takes careful measurements for breeches1 and rectifies any faults there may be in their fit4 ,the best kind of material for breeches is elastic cloth1 which is specially made for that purpose4 ,it is both strong and porous1 and can be obtained in any shade to match the riding-habit1 which1 of course1 is necessary4 ,the breeches should be fitted while the wearer is seated on a wooden horse1 and special attention should be devoted to their cut at the knees2 for if the cloth at the right knee does not lie flat and fit that part like a glove1 the wearer will suffer discomfort from being rubbed by the friction of the superfluous material4 ,following the senseless custom adopted by men1 many of whom hate it themselves1 we have our breeches to button on the shin bone4 ,i would recommend ladies who experience discomfort1 from the combined pressure of boot and breeches buttoned on the shin bone1 either to revert to the old style of buttoning the breeches a little to the outside of the leg1 or to have their riding boots made shorter1 see page #aag4 ,besides1 there is no necessity for us to ape men's fashions in either boots or breeches1 because these garments are not seen1 and we require them to be thoroughly comfortable4 ,for hunting and winter use ,i like what are called continuations fixed to breeches1 as these gaiter-like pieces of cloth cover the leg to a certain distance below the swell of the calf1 and keep it warm1 besides preventing the knee of the breeches from working round1 which men obviate by using garter-straps4 ,leather breeches for ladies' use are too unsanitary to merit consideration4 ,for use in the tropics1 a lady would require breeches of a very thin make of elastic cloth1 and1 if continuations were liked1 it would be best to have them made detachable1 as they could not be worn with comfort during the hot weather4 ,,underclothing4 ,ladies who hunt should always carefully protect themselves against chill by the adoption of warm underclothing1 for they are frequently exposed for hours to bitter cold1 wind1 snow1 sleet1 hail and fog1 and if one is thinly clad1 and1 as often happens1 there is a long wait at a covert side1 a dangerous chill may be contracted4 ,an under-vest of natural wool should be worn next the skin1 and a pair of woollen combinations--which button close to the throat1 and are provided with long sleeves1 will be found very comfortable and warm4 ,combinations are better for riding use at any time than ordinary underclothing1 as there is no superfluous material in them to become displaced and cause discomfort4 ,they can be had in very thin material for use in the tropics and for summer wear4 ,warm woollen stockings are to be recommended for hunting1 and especially for ladies who suffer from cold feet4 ,those who find woollen garments irritating to the skin may remove the difficulty by wearing them over thin silk4 ,any trouble in keeping the stockings in place can be best overcome by the use of plain sewn elastic garters1 which have no buckles or straps1 being placed below the knees1 and the upper part of the stockings turned back over them and pulled down the leg as far as they will go1 so that each stocking may lie perfectly flat on the leg4 ,the elastic bands should be of the usual garter width1 and should be sufficiently roomy not to hurt the legs4 ,as ,i found chamois leather1 with which breeches are usually lined1 unsatisfactory1 ,i invented a comfortable substitute for it in the form of a removable pad1 which has met with the approval of several hunting women4 ,i would be happy to give privately any particulars concerning this invention to ladies who may be interested in it4 ,,hats4 ,the tall silk hat has1 during recent years1 been largely superseded by the more comfortable if less elegant-looking bowler4 ,on hunt full-dress occasions1 such as a ,quorn ,friday1 the ladies of the hunt generally wear tall hats1 but ,i notice that bowlers have as a rule been worn during the rest of the week4 ,the high hat is said to be the more becoming of the two1 but it takes a lot of trouble to keep in order1 and a bowler is more comfortable and useful for rough work4 ,a lady who is wearing a tall hat for the first time1 should not forget to lower her head well in passing under trees1 as this kind of head-gear requires more head room than a bowler4 ,the best arrangement for keeping a riding hat firmly fixed on the head is to have a small piece of velvet sewn inside the front1 so that it comes on the forehead1 and to have for the back1 a piece of elastic an inch wide sewn to the hat1 well to the front4 ,care should be taken that the elastic is not too tight1 in which case it might cause a nasty headache1 as well as a ridge on the forehead from the pressure of the hat4 ,in selecting a bowler1 a lady should be careful to choose a becoming shape1 as these hats vary greatly in form4 ,to my mind1 the kind most generally becoming has a low crown and rather broad brim4 ,high-crowned hats with closely turned-up brim are trying to most faces4 ,although it is not usual for hunting women in the ,shires to wear hat-guards1 ,i would strongly recommend their adoption1 because1 however well a hat may be secured by elastic1 an overhanging branch at a fence may knock it off1 and it is as well to be able to recover it without assistance4 ,when hunting this season1 ,i lost my hat at a fence1 and my long-suffering husband had to give up a good place in a run to go back and fetch it1 whereas1 if ,i had had a hat-guard1 this tiresome occurrence would have been prevented4 ,it is best to attach the cord of the hat-guard to a button-hole of the habit-jacket1 for then1 if the hat comes off1 the cord can be more easily caught than if it is fastened inside the back of the collar of the coat4 ,on windy days the advantage of a hat-cord is obvious4 ,ladies who object to its use may say that overhanging branches should be avoided1 but when hounds are running1 and one is mounted on a tall horse1 it is impossible to always steer clear of stray twigs1 and therefore men find a hat-guard very useful4 ,for tropical climates the pith hat or sola topee 7,fig4 #fb7 is best for the hot weather4 ,helmets1 besides being apt to give one a headache on account of their weight1 do not afford sufficient protection to the rider's temples from the sun4 ,the double ,terai hat of grey felt 7,fig4 #fa7 is becoming1 but it is very heavy4 ,pith is lightest and most suitable for wear during intense heat4 ,in the cool weather a bowler or straw sailor may be worn2 but even in the cold season ladies should avoid wearing a small hat when the sun is above the horizon1 for its rays are treacherous4 ,i have had many a splitting headache from disregard of this precaution4 ,in trying on a riding hat1 the hair should be dressed low down1 as it will be worn when riding1 in order to obtain a comfortable fit2 for the hat must fit the head and not be perched on the top of it1 or it will not remain if the horse goes out of a walk4 ,the old arrangement of dressing the hair in a coil of plaits at the nape of the neck has quite gone out1 but it was a far neater one for riding than the tea-pot handle and other curious knobs and buns of the present time4 ,the pulled-out style1 in bad imitation of ,japanese hair dressing1 gives a dirty and untidy appearance1 and looks perfectly hideous on horseback1 and especially when the place where the back hair ought to be1 is adorned with a round brooch6 ,if ladies who adopt this bad style could only see how much it vulgarises an otherwise nice appearance1 they would at once abjure it4 ,a neat way to arrange the hair for hunting is to coil it firmly round the head1 and fasten it with plenty of hairpins--those bent in the centre and with ball points are1 ,i think1 the most reliable--and to pin over the hair an invisible silken net the same colour as the hair1 which will keep it tidy4 ,,boots4 ,i wish to lay particular stress on the necessity of riding boots having thin pliable soles1 and being easy over the instep2 because ,i once saw a lady dragged by her stirrup and only saved from death by her boot coming off and thus releasing her4 ,i do not think that sufficient attention is paid either by ladies or bootmakers to the fact that a loose riding boot may be the means of saving its wearer's life3 ,i never devoted much thought to the subject before witnessing this accident4 ,the use of tight boots in winter has the great disadvantage of keeping the feet very cold1 even when warm stockings are worn4 ,saddlers have invented safety bars and stirrups1 habit makers have provided safety skirts1 but bootmakers have not yet thought out a hunting boot which would release the foot in the event of a safety bar failing to act1 or of a safety or other stirrup being crushed in a fall4 ,a thin pliable sole and plenty of room over the instep to allow of the left foot being easily pulled through the boot1 would greatly minimise the danger in question4 ,we seldom hear of a jockey being dragged1 although flat races are ridden in saddles that have no releasing bars1 and even steeplechases are often ridden in these saddles1 when a rider has a difficulty in getting down to the weight2 but all jockeys wear boots which have thin1 and1 consequently1 very pliable soles4 ,fashion dictates that ladies' top-boots should be as high as those worn by men1 which is very absurd2 because they are not seen1 and the hard1 unyielding leather of a high top-boot pressing either on the breeches buttons1 or on the under part of the right leg is apt to cause great pain and discomfort4 ,then1 again1 when a ,champion and ,wilton saddle with safety bar flap is used1 the top of the left boot is liable to catch in the flap when its wearer is rising at the trot and is thus apt to release the stirrup leather4 ,fig4 #fd shows the top of the boot in position to raise the safety bar flap in the manner mentioned4 ,i have obviated these inconveniences and have ridden in comfort by wearing boots made two inches shorter than the regulation height1 and by wearing breeches with continuations1 no stockings are exposed to view1 even when one gets a fall4 ,with boots of this length there is no possibility of the left leg being hurt by pressure of boot and breeches buttons on the shin bone4 ,fashionable bootmakers who build boots for ladies on the pattern of those worn by men1 seem to be unaware of the fact that a woman's grip in a side-saddle is entirely different from that of a man in a cross-saddle1 and many ladies suffer unnecessary discomfort by meekly accepting what they are told is the proper thing4 ,our friend ,mr4 ,james ,fillis1 in his interesting work1 ,breaking and ,riding1 says that for ladies' wear he prefers ordinary boots to long boots1 which are too hard1 and are consequently apt to cut the wearer under the knee1 and to prevent her feeling the horse with her leg2 but as ordinary boots would not be considered sufficiently smart for hunting1 or even hacking in the ,row1 the compromise ,i advocate will be found to answer all requirements4 ,in ordering a pair of riding boots we should go to a good maker and have them of patent leather1 which is smarter and cleaner than blacking leather4 ,for wear in tropical countries1 ,i found that boots which have the foot part of patent leather and the leg of morocco1 with a thin leather lining to stiffen and keep the leg part in place1 are cooler and more comfortable than any other kind4 ,a pair of boot-hooks will be required for putting them on1 and a boot-jack for taking them off4 ,a little ,lucca oil used occasionally prevents patent leather from cracking4 ,the dry mud should be brushed off soiled boots with a soft brush that will not scratch the leather1 and they should then be sponged over with a damp sponge and polished with a selvyt or chamois leather4 ,patent leather1 which has lost its brightness from wear1 can be polished with ,harris's ,harness ,polish or any similar preparation which does not cake on the leather or injure it in any way4 ,we should remember that boots will last much longer and retain their shape to the end if they are always kept1 when not in use1 on trees4 ,it is best to wear new riding boots in the house before they are ridden in1 so as to make them pliable to the tread in walking1 and to work off their stiff and uncomfortable feeling4 ,illustration3 ,fig4 #fd4--,top of boot catching on safety bar flap4 ,,gloves4 ,antelope-skin or dog-skin gloves are1 ,i think1 the best for hunting4 ,i prefer the former1 as they are very soft and pliable4 ,whatever kind of gloves are chosen1 care should be taken to have them sufficiently large to allow perfect freedom to the hands2 for tight gloves make the hands cold1 and greatly impede their action in the management of the reins4 ,in selecting gloves1 a careful measurement of the fingers should be taken1 so that they may not be too short4 ,although gloves of the best quality are somewhat expensive1 they are well cut1 they wear better and are altogether more satisfactory than cheap imitations4 ,on very cold days1 ,i prefer white woollen gloves to any other kind4 ,in wet weather they are indispensable1 for a better grip of slippery reins can be got with them than with leather ones4 ,i agree with ,jorrocks that ,berlin gloves are capital for 'unting in1 they keep your 'ands warm1 and do to rub your nose upon in cold weather1 though ,i have not tried their effect in this respect6 ,during a winter which ,i spent in ,russia1 ,i derived the greatest comfort from the use of woollen gloves1 which ,i found far warmer than any other kind4 ,for the tropics1 kid or suede gloves may be worn in the cold weather1 but in the hot months ,i found white cotton the most comfortable kind1 as they are cool1 thin and soft1 and wash and wear better than silk1 which the reins quickly destroy4 ,perspiration from the hands will show through leather gloves1 which1 on drying1 will become as stiff as a board4 ,it should be remembered that rings worn when riding1 especially those containing stones1 hamper the action of the fingers1 and are very destructive to gloves4 ,illustration3 ,fig4 #fe4--;,front view of riding under-bodice4 ,,riding ,,under-,,bodice1 ,,hunting-,,ties1 ,,collars1 ,,cuffs ,,and ,,ties4 ,a garment which ,i have thought out1 and which ,i believe will fill a want1 is a riding under-bodice with long sleeves and wristbands1 to which cuffs can be attached1 and also a stud at the throat for the attachment of a hunting-tie or collar4 ,this bodice is in stockinet1 and fits closely1 without1 as in the case of ordinary shirts1 any superfluous material marring the outline of the figure 7,figs4 #fe and #ff74 ,ladies generally have so much difficulty in fastening cuffs1 that they will doubtless welcome a close-fitting garment of this description1 and it will do away with the tiresome habit-shirts and dickeys which have an irritating trick of following one's neck about1 instead of remaining in a fixed position4 ,besides1 collars which cannot be kept firmly in place generally necessitate the use of pins1 which should never be employed with any article of riding attire4 ,illustration3 ,fig4 #ff4--;,back view of riding under-bodice4 ,a hunting-tie or stock1 which is a combination of collar and tie1 the collar part being either starched or soft1 according to choice1 is the warmest and most becoming kind of neck arrangement for hunting4 ,it is not easy to put on neatly1 and it would be well for a novice when purchasing these ties to get the shopman to initiate her into their mysteries1 and to take one home correctly tied1 to be kept as a copy until its somewhat intricate manipulation has been mastered4 ,my husband's directions for the arrangement of a hunting-tie are as follows3--,the centre of the stock is placed on the front of the neck1 the ends are passed in opposite directions round the back of the neck1 brought in front1 tied in a reef knot1 crossed in front of this knot1 and finally secured1 as a rule1 by means of a pin or brooch of the safety or horse-shoe or fox pattern4 ,a gold safety pin is often used4 ,a brooch pin is naturally safer than an ordinary pin4 ,nowadays1 hunting ties are nearly always made of white cotton material 7,riding and ,hunting74 ,if a collar is preferred to a hunting-tie1 it should not be too high1 for nothing is more uncomfortable in riding than a collar which compels its wearer to preserve a stiff neck and runs into her whenever she tries to turn her head4 ,the best kind of cuffs are those which have button holes for links or solitaires in the centre1 as they allow room for thick gloves to be passed under them4 ,the necktie to be worn is a matter of choice1 but white and black ties are always becoming1 the former for preference1 as they brighten up a dark habit4 ,it is always well to abjure startling colours2 for the dress1 saddlery and gear of a horsewoman should be characterised by simplicity and neatness4 ,on this point ,i can offer no sounder advice than that given to ,laertes by his father1 who said3 ,costly thy habit as thy purse can buy1 ,but not express'd in fancy2 rich not gaudy2 ,for the apparel oft proclaims the man2 and also the woman4 ,,chapter ,,vi4 ,,mounting ,,and ,,dismounting4 ,,mounting4 ,supposing1 as is usually the case1 that there is a groom to hold the horse1 and a gentleman to put the lady up2 the groom1 after the reins are placed on the animal's neck just in front of the withers1 should stand in front of the horse1 and should keep the animal's head up by holding the snaffle reins1 one in each hand1 close to the rings4 ,if a double bridle be employed1 as is usually the case1 he should on no account hold the bit reins1 lest an accident may happen from the curb hurting the horse's mouth4 ,if there be no snaffle1 the cheek-pieces of the headstall of the curb or ,pelham should be held4 ,with a strange or uncertain tempered animal1 it is best for the lady to approach him from his left front1 and she will do well to speak kindly to him and pat him on the neck1 for these two forms of conciliation are greatly appreciated by horses4 ,having arrived alongside her mount1 she should stand just behind his near foreleg1 close to1 but not touching him1 and facing to the front1 with her shoulders at right angles to his side4 ,she now places her right hand1 with the whip in it1 on the upper crutch1 and raises her left foot about twelve inches from the ground1 while keeping the leg1 from knee to ankle1 in a more or less vertical position 7,fig4 #fg74 ,the whip should be held as in this illustration1 so as to avoid alarming the horse4 ,the gentleman who is to put her on her horse1 places himself close to1 and in front of her1 bends down1 and places the palm of one hand 7generally the left one7 under the ball of her left foot1 while he supports that hand by putting the palm of the other hand under it4 ,the lady then places her left hand--with the elbow turned out a little1 so as to be able to utilise that arm in raising herself--on his right shoulder 7,fig4 #fh74 ,illustration3 ,fig4 #fg4--;,foot raised for mounting4 ,having finished the prepare to mount stage1 she straightens her left knee by lightly springing upwards off the ground by means of her right foot1 and at the same time pressing on her cavalier's shoulder so as to straighten her left arm4 ,the moment he feels her weight on his hands1 he should raise himself into an erect position1 so as to bring her on a level with the saddle1 on which she places herself by turning to the left while she is being raised1 and bearing on the upper crutch with her right hand4 ,it will be difficult for the gentleman to do this lift properly1 unless the lady keeps her left knee and left elbow straight during the ascent4 ,the gentleman's task will be greatly facilitated if he takes advantage of the lady's spring2 but even if he lets that helpful moment pass by1 he can do the lift in a satisfactory manner with the small drawback of an extra expenditure of muscular effort4 ,the fact of the lady exerting a strong downward pressure on the gentleman's left shoulder1 makes the lift much easier for him than if he had to do it entirely by his arms4 ,it is most important for the beginner to understand this extremely simple method of mounting1 so that1 if failure results1 she may know who is in fault4 ,her only serious error is that of neglecting to straighten her knee4 ,his crimes in this respect are many4 ,first1 he may catch hold of the heel of her boot in the preliminary stage1 and will thus prevent her utilising the play of her left ankle joint in her spring4 ,experiment will show that this trick of catching the heel hampers a lady's movements in mounting much more than might at first be thought possible4 ,second1 from knowing no better1 or from a desire to show off his strength1 he may use only one hand to lift the lady1 and will then almost always have cause to regret his superfluity of self confidence4 ,third1 he may stand too far away from her1 and thus bring her left foot too much forward1 in which case it will be almost impossible for her to straighten her left knee4 ,fourth1 he may also prevent her from doing this indispensable part of the performance1 by trying to raise her before she has put her weight on his hands4 ,fifth1 he may stand too far away from the side of the horse1 in which case he is liable to throw her over to the off side of the horse 7as happened once to me71 by giving her an oblique instead of a vertical propulsion4 ,a minor form of this mistake is attempting to put the lady on the saddle1 instead of raising her to the height at which she can easily take her seat4 ,after a lady has suffered from clumsy attempts to put her up1 it is not to be wondered at if she regards the feat of mounting as one which requires some peculiar knack to accomplish2 and1 as failure in mounting is particularly ungraceful1 she naturally becomes nervous about attempting it4 ,if she has any doubts as to her capability to mount easily1 she might make some preliminary attempts to stand and support herself for a few seconds on a gentleman's hands1 with her left hand on his shoulder and her right hand on the upper crutch4 ,when she finds that she can do this successfully1 she may1 when her leg is again straight1 give him a signal 7or take one from him7 to raise her to the necessary height1 so that she may sit in the saddle4 ,if she be very timid1 she may practise mounting indoors1 with her right hand on the top of an upright piano1 and her left on a gentleman's shoulder as before4 ,although it is usual for the gentleman to give the words1 ,one1 two6 as a signal for her to make her spring and straighten her knee before he raises her1 no such caution is necessary2 for he will know1 by feeling her weight on his hands1 when she is in a proper position to be raised4 ,illustration3 ,fig4 #fh4--,ready to mount4 ,having arrived on the saddle1 the lady places her right leg over the crutch1 while her attendant puts her left foot in the stirrup1 adjusts any elastic loops that may be present1 and straightens her skirt1 as may be required4 ,she then takes up the reins4 ,it is advisable for the lady not to touch the reins until she is securely placed in the saddle and is ready to use them1 because the act of placing her right hand on the crutch while holding the reins in it1 is liable to render the horse unsteady1 and the reins are of no use to her until she is firmly seated4 ,if there is only one man to help the lady to mount1 he should place his left arm through the snaffle reins1 so as to prevent the animal from getting away while putting her up4 ,i think all hunting men should know how to put a lady up1 because accidents in the field are constantly occurring1 and some poor ,diana who has had a tumble is always grateful to any good ,samaritan who renders her this small service4 ,a well-meaning sportsman who kindly offered me his help on such an occasion1 knew so little about the mysteries of side-saddle riding1 that he attempted to give me a leg up1 as if ,i were a man6 ,it would be well for every school where riding is taught to be supplied with a wooden horse1 on which pupils could learn the method of getting into the saddle1 and would thus avoid becoming flurried or nervous when mounting1 especially if the horse is a stranger4 ,also1 a dummy horse would be an admirable subject on which to do preliminary practice in other details of riding1 such as grip1 length of stirrup1 leaning back 7as when going over fences71 position of the hands1 holding and handling the reins1 etc4 ,in this way1 beginners would learn what they had to do1 before getting on a horse4 ,mounting from the ground unaided depends for its success chiefly on the respective heights of horse and rider1 although a lady can be helped considerably in this attempt by letting out the stirrup leather1 which she will have to shorten after climbing into the saddle4 ,unless a lady is tall and athletic1 it will be almost impossible for her to perform this feat on a full-sized horse4 ,this method of mounting should1 as a rule1 be avoided1 because1 apart from its not being very graceful1 it is apt to disarrange the position of the saddle1 by pulling it to the near side1 and the animal would then be liable to get a sore back1 especially if he had to go through a long day with hounds4 ,illustration3 ,fig4 #fi4--;,dismounting without help4 ,mounting from a block1 low wall1 or other suitable object1 may be done without help1 if the animal is confidential and accustomed to the work4 ,if a man be present1 he may stand in front of the horse and hold him in the way already described for the groom to do 7page #abe74 ,if the animal shows unwillingness to approach the mounting-block1 the man should hold the off cheek-piece of the headstall of the bridle with his right hand1 and1 with the flat of his left hand1 prevent the horse from swinging his hind quarters out4 ,when the horse is sufficiently close1 the lady should take the whip and reins in her left hand1 put her left foot in the stirrup1 take the upper crutch with her left hand and the cantle with the right1 and spring lightly between both hands into the saddle4 ,the right leg is then put over the upper crutch and the skirt arranged4 ,,dismounting1 in the days of voluminous skirts1 was a far more serious business than it is now2 for the knee recess had to be carefully freed from the crutches of the saddle1 and the skirt gathered up in the hands of the rider1 so that she might not tread on it4 ,riding women of to-day generally prefer to dismount without assistance1 for they are no longer hampered with an early ,victorian skirt4 ,while a man holds the horse1 the rider releases her foot from the stirrup and loop1 removes her right leg from the crutch1 and placing her right hand on it and her left hand on the leaping head to steady herself 7,fig4 #fi71 springs lightly to the ground4 ,if help is required from a male attendant1 it is best for him to offer his right arm1 on which the rider places her left hand 7,fig4 #gj71 as she leaves the saddle4 ,if there is only one man present1 he should take the snaffle reins in his left hand1 before offering his right arm to the lady4 ,another plan is for the lady to give her hands to the man who assists her to dismount1 but that would not be pleasant in the case of an ordinary groom4 ,an old-fashioned way of helping a lady to dismount1 was to put an arm round her waist and lift her from the saddle6 ,illustration3 ,fig4 #gj4--;,dismounting with help4 ,,chapter ,,vii4 ,,how ,,to ,,hold ,,the ,,reins4 ,principles--,holding ,single ,reins in ,both ,hands--,holding ,single ,reins in ,one ,hand--,holding ,double ,reins in ,both ,hands--,holding ,double ,reins in ,one ,hand--,shortening the ,reins--,military ,method of ,holding the ,reins--,respective ,merits of ,one-,handed and ,two-,handed ,riding4 ,as there is but little difference between the respective ways men and women should use their reins1 ,i have taken the most of this chapter from ,riding and ,hunting4 ,,principles4 ,the following are the usual principles to be observed in holding the reins3-- #a4 ,a secure grip of the reins should be maintained1 with as little stiffness as possible1 because stiffness implies continued muscular contraction1 and consequent defective manipulation from fatigue4 #b4 ,when both hands are used1 we should hold the reins so that we can freely use our hands1 either separately or together1 in any required direction4 #c4 ,when both hands are used1 the manner of holding the reins by one hand should be the same as that by the other1 so that the feeling of the hands on the reins may be the same on both sides4 #d4 ,when a horse which has an even mouth is going in a straight direction1 the action of one rein should be the same as that of the other rein4 ,illustration3 ,fig4 #ga4--;,a rein in each hand4 ,,holding ,,single ,,reins ,,in ,,both ,,hands4 ,pass the near rein between the little finger and the ring finger of the left hand1 bring it out between the forefinger and thumb1 and take up the off rein in the same manner in the right hand 7,fig4 #ga74 ,the reins thus held will be in the best position for general use1 especially as the hands can then be readily separated1 if we wish to turn the horse to one side or the other4 ,illustration3 ,fig4 #gb4--,single reins crossed in one hand4 ,illustration3 ,fig4 #gc4--,single reins crossed in one hand4 ,,holding ,,single ,,reins ,,in ,,one ,,hand4 ,while holding the reins as in ,fig4 #ga1 pass the off rein into the left hand between its forefinger and thumb1 and across the portion of the near rein that is in the palm of the left hand 7,fig4 #gb74 ,on letting go the off rein with the right hand1 we close the fingers of the left hand1 turn the left hand inwards1 and let it fall from the wrist in an easy manner 7,fig4 #gc74 ,when holding the reins in one hand1 we should not keep the knuckles in a vertical position1 because1 by doing so1 one rein will come up higher on the horse's neck than the other rein4 ,on the contrary1 both in one-handed and two-handed riding1 the knuckles should be held more or less horizontally1 as they would be when the hand is allowed to fall without stiffness from the wrist4 ,illustration3 ,fig4 #gd4--;,double reins held separately in two hands4 ,whether the reins are held in one hand or in two1 we should avoid rounding the wrists1 not only on account of the consequent stiffness imparted to these joints1 but also because that action tends to make us carry the elbows outwards1 and thus diminishes the force which the arms are capable of exerting on the reins4 ,illustration3 ,fig4 #ge4--;,holding double reins crossed in one hand4 ,,holding ,,double ,,reins ,,in ,,both ,,hands4 ,we may hold double reins in both hands in the same way as we hold single reins1 except that the little fingers separate the reins on each respective side 7,fig4 #gd74 ,the question as to which rein should be on the outside may be decided by the amount of control which is required to be obtained over the horse2 because1 by the rotation of the hand1 we can work the outward rein more effectively than the inward rein4 ,if the snaffle is to be the predominant bit1 its reins should be on the outside1 and the curb-reins slack4 ,,holding ,,double ,,reins ,,in ,,one ,,hand4 ,the forefinger of the left hand separates the two off reins1 the little finger divides the two near ones1 and the reins are crossed in the palm of the hand 7,fig4 #ge71 as with single reins4 ,it is convenient to have the reins on which we want to have the stronger pull on the outside4 ,if the rider wishes to use only one rein1 she may hold it crossed in her hand1 and may hook up the other on the middle finger1 and let it loose 7,fig4 #gf71 or draw it up to a greater or less extent4 ,illustration3 ,fig4 #gf4--;,double reins in left hand3 one crossed1 the other hooked up on middle finger4 ,,shortening ,,the ,,reins4 ,in shortening the reins we should alter the feeling on them as little as possible1 and should carefully keep them at the same length1 so as not to interfere with the horse's mouth4 ,if a rein is in each hand 7,fig4 #ga71 we had best pass the off rein into the left hand 7,fig4 #gb72 close the left hand on both reins 7,fig4 #gc72 slip the right hand forward on the off rein till the proper length is obtained2 take up both reins in the right hand2 let go the slack of the reins with the left hand2 take up the near rein with the left hand2 and separate the hands4 ,illustration3 ,fig4 #gg4--,reins held in one hand in military fashion4 ,if the reins are held in one hand 7the left1 for instance71 take them up in the right hand2 slip the left hand forward on the near rein2 and1 when the desired length is obtained1 take up both reins with the left hand4 ,,military ,,method ,,of ,,holding ,,the ,,reins4 ,in almost all riding schools1 ladies are taught to hold the reins in military fashion1 which enacts that they should be held in the left hand1 with the little finger dividing them1 and their ends brought up between the finger and thumb 7,fig4 #gg74 ,thus1 the hold on the reins is chiefly maintained by the lateral pressure of the fingers and by the downward pressure of the thumb on them4 ,as the muscles which draw the fingers laterally together1 are far weaker than the muscles which cause the hand to become clenched1 it follows that this method of holding the reins is much less secure and a good deal more tiring than the crossed plan 7,fig4 #gc71 which has the further advantage of utilising the friction between the opposing surfaces of leather4 ,this method is also unsuitable for two-handed riding1 because it violates the principle laid down on pages #acf and #acg1 that the manner of holding the reins by one hand should be the same as that by the other hand 7compare ,figs4 #ga and #gh74 ,illustration3 ,fig4 #gh4--,off rein taken up by right hand from position shown in ,fig4 #gg4 ,,respective ,,merits ,,of ,,one-,,handed ,,and ,,two-,,handed ,,riding4 ,all good horsewomen1 especially when out hunting1 ride with both hands on the reins1 because1 even with the quietest animal1 the two hands may be needed for control or guidance4 ,besides1 an even feeling on the reins when they are held in one hand1 can be maintained only by keeping the hand in the centre-line of the horse's body1 which is naturally a more or less irksome task for the rider4 ,with only one hand on the reins1 the rider's available strength is reduced by nearly one-half1 and the reins have to be held much shorter than if both hands were on them4 ,one-handed riding is all right for military men1 who have to wield a sword or lance1 and polo players1 who have to use a polo-stick1 but it is ridiculous for ladies4 ,,chapter ,,viii4 ,,the ,,seat4 ,theory of the ,seat--,practical ,details4 ,,theory ,,of ,,the ,,seat4 ,the best seat for all practical purposes is evidently one which affords security and comfort to the rider and freedom from injury to the horse4 ,the lady should sit 7not lean7 forward in the saddle1 so as to get a good grip of the crutches2 and should bring her seat well under her 7sit well into the saddle71 in order to bring the centre of gravity of her body well back1 as regards her base of support1 and thus to increase her stability1 which will depend almost entirely on her power to resist forward propulsion1 when the horse suddenly stops or swerves to the left4 ,her hold of the reins will in any case prevent her from toppling backwards over the animal's tail1 in the event of his making an unexpected movement forward from the halt1 or suddenly increasing his speed when in motion4 ,the faulty practice of riding the crutches1 instead of sitting down in the saddle1 brings the weight forward1 and places the lady in the best possible position to fall off4 ,the greater difficulty which a rider has in keeping her seat when her mount abruptly swerves to the left1 than when he goes to the right1 is due to the fact that in the former case1 the upper crutch is drawn away from the right thigh2 but in the latter case1 it forms a more or less effective obstacle to the forward movement of the right thigh1 and thus helps the rider to retain her seat4 ,to explain this subject more fully1 ,i may point out1 that if a person is standing on the foot-board of the right side of a rapidly moving train which suddenly turns to the left1 he or she would be far more inclined to fall off1 than if a similar change of direction had been made to the right1 in both of which instances the side of the train would play the part of the upper crutch4 ,the fact that the lower part of the rider's right leg rests against the horse's near shoulder1 as in ,fig4 #gi1 will materially help her in keeping her seat1 in the event of an abrupt swerve to the left4 ,the side position of the seat1 combined with the fact that the head has to be kept more or less in the direction the horse is proceeding1 causes more weight to be placed on the near side than on the off4 ,although the rider cannot entirely remove this disadvantage1 she may lessen this unequal distribution of weight1 7#a7 by avoiding the use of too long a stirrup leather1 for the longer it is1 the more inclined will she be to bring her weight to the near side1 in order to obtain the assistance of her stirrup2 7#b7 by sitting a little over on the off side1 so as to place her weight as much as possible on the middle line of the seat of the saddle1 namely1 over the backbone of the horse2 and 7#c71 as already pointed out 7p4 #cd71 by having the leaping head close to the upper crutch4 ,in order to meet the second requirement1 she should rest her weight on her right leg1 which in any case will have less fatigue to bear than the left one4 ,putting the weight on the right leg has the further advantage of lessening the tendency of the right shoulder to go forward1 and of diminishing the pressure of the left foot on the stirrup4 ,illustration3 ,fig4 #gi4--,position of rider's legs at the walk4 ,the preponderance of weight on the left side of the saddle is liable to cause undue pressure on the off side of the withers1 and also1 though to a lesser extent1 on the off side of the backbone1 under the cantle of the saddle1 with the result that ladies' horses frequently get sore backs at these places4 ,as this unequal distribution of weight on the near side varies more or less at each stride of the horse2 the saddle has a strong inclination1 during movement1 to keep working from one side to the other1 and consequently1 in order to check this hurtful tendency1 a lady's saddle has to be girthed up much tighter than a man's saddle1 and also to be provided with a balance strap 7p4 #ec74 ,the only means by which the rider can maintain her position in the saddle are balance and grip1 both of which are accomplished by muscular action1 though in different ways4 ,what is popularly known as grip1 is effected by continued muscular contraction1 which speedily gives rise to fatigue1 and consequently can be kept up for only a comparatively short time4 ,the balance required for holding the body more or less erect1 as in walking1 standing and sitting1 is1 on the contrary1 preserved by the alternate contraction and relaxation of a large number of muscles1 the work of which1 being intermittent and more or less evenly distributed1 can be maintained for a long period without fatigue4 ,it is therefore evident that a lady should ride as much as possible by balance1 and that she should use grip only when its aid is demanded for keeping her secure in the saddle4 ,it is obvious that grip is the riding function of the legs2 and balance1 that of the body4 ,as grip has generally to be put in action at a moment's notice1 the legs should be kept in such a position as to enable them to apply the necessary grip with promptness and precision4 ,hence the rider should not move about in the saddle1 as some are inclined to do1 in the attempt to sit back when going over a fence4 ,while keeping the legs in a uniform position1 the rider will obtain all the balance she needs1 by the play of her hip joints and by that of the joints of the body above them1 and will thus be enabled to sit erect1 lean back or forward1 or bring her weight to one side or the other1 as may be required4 ,grip from the left leg is obtained by pressure against the leaping head1 which can be effected either by certain muscles of the thigh or by those of the ankle joint4 ,the amount of pressure which can be obtained by the former method is far less than by the latter1 for which a short stirrup leather is necessary4 ,the comparative feebleness of this action of the thigh muscles can be readily seen by the small resistance which they can make against downward pressure1 when the knee is raised with the foot off the ground4 ,if1 however1 the foot is on the ground1 the muscles which straighten the ankle joint will enable the knee to be raised1 even against strong downward pressure4 ,it might be objected to this mode of obtaining grip1 that the powerful pressure thus exerted on the stirrup iron1 would cause a downward pull on the 7near7 left side1 which is1 however1 counterbalanced by the upward pressure of the left leg on the leaping head1 and consequently it has no displacing effect on the saddle4 ,it is evident that this action of the ankle joint can be performed effectively1 only when the ball of the foot rests on the stirrup4 ,if the foot is put home1 the ankle joint will have little or no play4 ,when using the leaping head1 we should bear in mind that the action of the muscles which straighten the ankle joint1 should be independent of the body4 ,if this condition is not observed1 the tendency will be to put undue weight on the stirrup1 and to bring the body forward4 ,it is evident that placing weight on the stirrup1 without at the same time exerting counterbalancing pressure against the leaping head1 will not only put undue weight on the near side1 but will also bring the body forward4 ,illustration3 ,fig4 #hj4--;,hooked back leg1 the direction of the pressure of which is shown by the fore finger of the left hand4 ,the right leg can help in obtaining grip1 either by bending the knee and bringing the calf of the leg round the upper crutch1 or by lateral pressure of the knee against that crutch4 ,the former method is entirely wrong1 because it cannot be fully carried out1 except by bringing the body forward1#aej-99 which action is incompatible with firmness of seat1 when going over fences1 or when the horse makes any abrupt and disconcerting movement4 ,this hooked-back seat also predisposes a lady to fall over the off shoulder of an animal which suddenly swerves to the near side2 the reason being that in such a case1 the upper crutch acts as the pivot of revolution4 ,on account of causing the weight to be brought forward1 this hooked-back style also tends to make her bump up and down in her saddle4 ,the lateral method1 which is effected by the inward rotation of the right thigh1 is free from the foregoing objections2 and by causing the lower part of the right leg to be placed against the horse's shoulder1 it affords the rider valuable indications of the animal's movements4 ,also1 as the lateral pressure is as nearly as practicable in a direction opposite to that of the pressure of the left leg against the leaping head2 it will act to the best advantage1 and it will allow the body full freedom to be drawn back by the play of the hip joints4 ,the pressure of the hooked-back leg is1 on the contrary1 nearly at right angles to that of the left leg 7,fig4 #hj71 and consequently it affords very little help in the attainment of grip4 ,the hooked-back style of riding induces fatigue by continued muscular contraction1 and is a fertile cause of ladies becoming cut under the right knee1 which fact is fully proved by the numerous devices which have been brought out by saddlers with the view of obviating this injury4 ,illustration3 ,fig4 #ha4--,seat at the walk4 ,it is easy to prove by experiment1 that when we sit in an unconstrained position on a chair or saddle for instance1 the direction of our shoulders will be at right angles to that of our legs1 or1 more correctly speaking1 at right angles to a line bisecting the angle formed by our legs4 ,hence1 when riding1 we cannot continue to sit absolutely square 7having our shoulders at right angles to the direction of our mount7 without keeping our body in a stiff position1 which in a short time will be productive of discomfort and fatigue4 ,although the maintenance of a twisted position of the body to the right is incompatible with ease1 no discomfort will arise from looking more or less straight to the front1 because the muscles which regulate the direction of the neck and eyes are gifted with great mobility1 and their respective periods of contraction and relaxation are comparatively short1 when we are looking to the front4 ,even when walking at ease1 the direction of the shoulders1 which alters at every step1 in no way affects that of our line of sight2 and it certainly would not do so1 when we are riding4 ,the continued maintenance of a perfectly square seat entails so much muscular rigidity1 that it is unsuitable for 'cross-country work1 or for the riding of difficult horses4 ,in any case1 it causes the body to assume a twisted and therefore an unnatural position2 because the fact of the right hip joint being more advanced than the left one1 will prevent the lower and posterior part of the trunk 7the pelvis7 from being parallel1 as it ought to be1 with the line connecting the shoulders4 ,to facilitate the attainment of a square seat1 some saddlers incline the upper crutch a good deal towards the off side1 and thus curtail the space between that crutch and the near side of the horse's shoulder and neck so much1 that the rider is unable to get her right leg into proper position1 and is consequently obliged to hook it back4 ,i need hardly say that such saddles do not suit good horsewomen4 ,an absurd fallacy of some of the square seat school is that the right thigh 7from hip joint to knee7 should be kept parallel to the horse's backbone1 a position which would put a great deal more weight on the near side of the saddle than on the off1 and would consequently be liable to give the horse a sore back4 ,on the contrary1 the even distribution of the rider's weight is an essential condition of comfort to the animal and of security of seat to the rider1 and is of infinitely greater importance than the attainment of a conventional and unnatural attitude4 ,illustration3 ,fig4 #hb4--,length of stirrup4 ,the majority of riding-masters are such admirers of the square seat1 that when giving a lady her first few lessons1 they will as a rule keep constantly telling her to keep her right shoulder back1 which she cannot do without twisting and stiffening her body4 ,for practical requirements1 as out hunting or on a long journey1 the seat should be free from all constraint and rigidity1 so that it can be maintained without undue fatigue for several hours1 during which time the rider should be able at any moment to utilise the grip of her legs with promptness1 precision and strength4 ,a lady1 with a good seat and properly made saddle1 will ride quite square enough 7,fig4 #ha7 to avoid any lack of elegance in her appearance without having to adopt a conventional twist4 ,,practical ,,details4 ,the first thing for a rider to do is to place herself in a thoroughly comfortable position on the saddle4 ,she should sit well down in it1 in the same manner as she would sit on a chair in which she wished to lean back1 and would thus get her seat well under her1 and would be able to obtain1 when required1 a strong grip of the crutches4 ,in this position she will be able to increase her stability by bringing her shoulders back1 which she could not do with the same facility1 if1 instead of leaning back1 she sat back4 ,in order to see where she is going1 she should sit more or less erect4 ,her left foot should be placed in the stirrup only as far as the ball of the foot1 so as to allow the ankle joint full play4 ,the stirrup leather should be long enough to enable the left thigh to clear the leaping head1 when the lady rises at the trot2 and short enough for it to exert full pressure against the leaping head1 by the action of the ankle joint4 ,a correct compromise between these two opposing conditions is obtained when the length of the leather will just allow the flat of the hand to be easily placed between the leg and the leaping head 7,fig4 #hb74 ,illustration3 ,fig4 #hc4--;,correct position of legs4 ,the rider should obtain her grip of the leaping head just above the point of the left knee1 as shown in ,fig4 #hc2 and by rotating the right thigh inwards1 she should press the flat of that knee against the upper crutch1 as if she were trying to bring her two knees together4 ,while gripping in the manner described1 the portion of the right leg which is below the knee1 should rest in an easy position against the horse's near shoulder1 as in ,fig4 #gi4 ,illustration3 ,fig4 #hd4--,leaning back4 ,when the beginner has learned how to sit in the saddle1 she should practise leaning back1 which she can best do by gripping the crutches1 while keeping her legs in proper position 7,fig4 #hd71 and leaning her body back until she can almost touch the horse's croup4 ,when doing this for the first few times1 her teacher should support her1 in order to give her confidence1 and the groom1 if necessary1 should hold the horse1 which should of course be a quiet animal4 ,the object of this practice is to show her that the movements of her body are entirely independent of her grip of the crutches1 and that the forward and backward motion of her body is regulated by the action of her hip joints1 and not by altering her seat1 which should remain fixed1 and1 as it were1 glued to the saddle1 at the walk1 canter1 gallop and jump2 the trot being the only movement at which she should rise4 ,having learned the meaning of grip and leaning back1 she can take a snaffle rein in each hand1 as in ,fig4 #ga1 while keeping her hands low and well apart2 she can then feel the horse's mouth by drawing her hands towards her through a distance of a few inches1 and then keeping them in a fixed position4 ,,footnotes3 #aej-99 ,the muscles of our limbs are attached at each end to bones1 between which there are one or more joints2 and they act by their power of contraction1 which enables them to become shortened to about two-thirds of their length4 ,the full effect of this contraction can be obtained by a muscle only when its points of attachment are separated to their utmost extent1 and it becomes diminished in proportion as the distance between them is shortened by the bending of the intermediate joint or joints1 up to a length equal to that of the muscle in a fully contracted state1 at which limit the muscle is out of play4 ,the muscles which bend the knee are attached1 at one end1 to the back of the shin bone1 close to the knee2 and at the other extremity1 to the end of the ischium 7lower part of the pelvis71 which is below the hip joints4 ,consequently1 the more the knee is bent and the more the upper part of the body is drawn back by the play of the hip joints1 the nearer are the opposite points of attachment of these respective muscles brought together1 and the less power will they have to hook back the knee4 ,hence the more a lady leans back1 when going over a fence for instance1 the less firmly will she be able to hook her leg round the upper crutch4 ,therefore1 ladies who adopt this hooked-back seat1 are invariably prompted by the requirements of this position1 to bend forward1 and have more or less difficulty in bringing the upper part of the body back4 ,,chapter ,,ix4 ,,hands1 ,,voice1 ,,whip ,,and ,,spur4 ,,hands4 ,nearly every writer on the subject of riding is of opinion that good hands are inborn and cannot be acquired4 ,this may be so1 but the worst of hands may be greatly improved by good teaching and practice4 ,continental horsemen do not1 as a rule1 learn how to ride across country1 but the majority of them devote much study to the various methods of bitting and handling horses1 and1 as far as hacking is concerned1 their horses are better broken and better handled than they are in this country4 ,i am not alluding to the question of seat1 as ,i think ,britons1 and especially our ,colonial cousins1 can beat them on that point2 but it is evident1 as can be seen any day and in any hunting field1 that more study should be devoted to the acquirement of good hands4 ,a course of school riding1 especially on a made school horse1 which is a very light-mouthed animal1 would greatly lessen the clumsiness of heavy hands2 or1 if such instruction were unobtainable1 good practice might be had on a young horse which had been carefully broken by a competent horseman4 ,no young horse will pull until he is taught to do so by bad handling1 and a lady who wishes to improve her hands might ride a young animal1 in the company of an old steady horse1 and ascertain in this way what the natural condition of a horse's mouth really is and how easily it may be controlled4 ,i do not think that many ladies have heavy hands with horses--their chief fault lies in their want of control over their mounts4 ,many ride with the reins so loose that their horses get out of hand and go in an uncollected manner1 and accidents not unfrequently occur from this cause4 ,as horses which are not well in hand in the hunting field will1 sooner or later1 bring their riders either to grief or to disgrace1 this slipshod method of handling should be avoided4 ,although the grip which a lady obtains in a side-saddle should render her entirely independent of the reins as a means of support1 she is handicapped by being unable to lower her hands to the same extent as a man4 ,i have found that with horses which carry their heads too high1 and throw them up if the rider tries to lower them1 a standing martingale attached to the rings of the snaffle affords considerable help in obtaining perfect control1 especially with young horses4 ,but ,i would not recommend a lady to use a standing martingale with a horse which has not previously been accustomed to it1 nor indeed at all1 unless she rides chiefly on the snaffle2 for although it is perfectly safe to use the curb with a standing martingale in steadying and collecting a horse1 it would be highly dangerous to touch it when the animal is jumping4 ,the majority of riding men regard the standing martingale as dangerous--and rightly1 for only men with good hands can safely use it4 ,if any sudden snatch or jerk were made at the curb1 and the horse in throwing up his head found himself caught by the standing martingale1 a very serious accident might happen4 ,the standing martingale in no way impedes a horse's jumping1 for horses do not jump with their heads in the air1 unless they fear the curb4 ,fig4 #dh shows its maximum length4 ,it may be said that ladies ought not to ride horses which carry their heads too high1 but many of us have to make the best of what we can get in the matter of horseflesh1 and employ the surest methods at our command for keeping such animals under perfect control4 ,the standing martingale is dangerous in hunting only when going through gates1 as it is liable to catch in a gate post and cause trouble4 ,the faster a horse goes at any particular pace in a natural and unconstrained manner1 the more will he try to extend his head and neck1 so as to bring the centre of gravity of his body forward1 and also to aid the muscles of the neck in drawing the fore limbs to the front4 ,the pulling in of the head and neck by the reins will1 therefore1 be a direct indication to the animal to slacken his speed4 ,if he be well broken he will not only go slower1 but will also signify the fact of his obedience by yielding to the bit by the play of the joints of his head and neck4 ,when he keeps these joints 7namely1 those which connect the lower jaw to the head1 and the head to the neck1 and the joints of the neck themselves7 free from all rigidity and bears lightly on the bit1 he is what is called well in hand1 in which state every horsewoman should endeavour to keep her mount1 as it is the beau ideal one that admits of full control by the rider and of perfect freedom of movement on the part of the horse4 ,having the horse well in hand1 the rider should be careful to keep the reins at one unaltered length for the particular rate of speed at which she is going4 ,if she desires to increase it1 she should give her horse a signal which he understands1 and should lengthen the reins as may be required4 ,if she wishes to go slower1 she should proportionately shorten them2 but she should always preserve uniformity of speed at any pace by keeping a fixed length of reins4 ,nothing is worse for a horse's mouth than the constant give and take 7in ,ireland they call it niggling at a horse's mouth7 which is practised by almost every bad rider4 ,this fact is so well recognised by our jockeys that ,keep your hands steady is the chief order which competent trainers of racehorses give to their lads4 ,when a rider keeps shifting the position of her hands1 her bewildered animal will be unable to know at what speed she wants him to travel4 ,all this reads very simple1 but sometimes we find that horses1 especially when excited by hounds1 insist on going at their own pace4 ,if the coast is clear in front1 and the horseman in advance has got safely over and away from the fence to which a lady is approaching1 it would not be wise for her to interfere with her hunter1 because1 if he knows his business1 he won't fall if he can help it4 ,but if1 on the other hand1 the only practicable place in a fence is not free1 the keenness of the animal must be checked by a judicious use of the curb4 ,if he is so headstrong as to refuse to obey this command by slackening speed1 he should be turned round either to right or left1 whichever may be the easier for his rider4 ,when we find ourselves in such a tight corner we must1 for our own safety as well as for that of our neighbours1 exercise a certain amount of force in controlling our horses4 ,the silken thread method of handling1 which is1 or should be1 employed at any other time1 stands us in poor stead in the face of this difficulty4 ,there are horses which will neither slacken speed nor turn for their riders1 and a runaway in the hunting field is by no means rare4 ,if any lady has a hunter who takes charge of her in this manner1 ,i would strongly advise her to ride him in a standing martingale 7p4 #hb71 because with its aid she will generally be able to turn him1 even if she cannot stop him in any other way4 ,a horse which will neither slacken speed nor turn in any direction gallops on1 as a rule1 with his head up1 and1 having succeeded in shifting the snaffle from the bars to the corners of his mouth1 he is impervious to the action of the curb1 because his head is too high for the curb to act with advantage4 ,on such an animal the standing martingale is valuable1 because it makes him keep his head in a proper position4 ,a great deal of sound sense has been written by different horsemen on the subject of hands4 ,sam ,chifney tells us to use the reins as if they were silken threads which any sharp pull would break1 and ,mr4 ,john ,hubert ,moore always gave the advice to take a pull at the reins as though you were drawing a cork out of a bottle without wishing to spill one drop of its contents4 ,i have often1 in my own mind1 likened a horse's mouth to a piece of narrow elastic which is capable of expansion up to a certain point4 ,when vigorously tugged at1 it is no longer elastic1 but as unyielding as ordinary string4 ,good hands maintain its elasticity1 bad ones convert it into string4 ,a sympathetic touch on a horse's mouth can only be made by good hands4 ,a musician1 if he is an artist1 will accompany a weak-voiced singer so sympathetically that the sweet though not robust notes of the voice are heard to the best advantage3 he is a man with good hands4 ,a heavy-fisted player1 desiring to show his command over the instrument1 will try to turn the accompaniment into a pianoforte solo1 and the nice notes of the struggling singer will be entirely drowned by noise4 ,he is like the heavy-handed1 unsympathetic rider4 ,,voice4 ,for pleasant riding1 it is essential that the horse should understand his rider's orders1 which are usually given to him only by the reins and whip4 ,however efficiently a lady may use these aids1 the fact remains that a good understanding between herself and her mount is better established by the voice than by any other means4 ,with a little vocal training any ordinary horse1 when going fast1 will pull up more promptly and with greater ease to his mouth and hocks1 by a pleasantly uttered whoa1 than by the action of hands and reins4 ,young horses1 like foxhound puppies which are taken out for the first time1 show great reluctance to pass moving objects2 but if the rider speaks encouragingly to her mount in a tone of voice that means he must go on1 he will try his best to obey her1 although his attention may be divided betwixt fear and duty4 ,as a reward1 his rider should give him a few pats on the neck and speak encouragingly to him1 and she will doubtless find that he will make a bolder effort to obey her voice when he again finds himself confronted with a similar difficulty2 because he will associate his first escape from apparent disaster with her voice1 and will in time have such confidence in her guidance that a word from her will be quite sufficient to assure him that all is well4 ,when riding bad horses at my husband's breaking classes abroad1 ,i found it best not to speak to them2 for a bond of friendship had not been established between us1 and ,i noticed that the sound of my voice often stirred up their angry passions by reminding them1 ,i suppose1 of some former rider who had scolded them while ill-treating them4 ,it was unsafe even to pat and try to be friendly with such spoiled horses4 ,i remember a very violent animal in ,pretoria which showed resentment in this respect by rushing at me after ,i had dismounted1 simply because ,i endeavoured to pat and say a kind word to him4 ,i have no doubt that he would have accepted my well-meant advances if we had had time to mutually understand each other4 ,a show jumper named ,mons ,meg was so terrified of the man who used to ride her that1 on hearing his voice1 even from a distance1 she would break out in a perspiration and stand trembling with terror4 ,the mare was really so kind that we had her for a time at ,ward's ,riding ,school1 and she was ridden without reins over jumps by several of our pupils4 ,i took her to ride in a jumping competition at the ,agricultural ,hall2 but1 unfortunately1 the rider she disliked came to her stall and spoke to her1 with the usual result1 and when ,i got on her back she was violently agitated1 and refused the second fence1 which was a gate4 ,at one moment it seemed as though she would have brought us both to grief1 for she tried to jump out of the ring among the people--a feat1 ,i was afterwards told1 she had performed on more than one occasion4 ,she would always jump kindly when away from the hated show ring1 where she must at some time or other have been badly treated4 ,when animals get into a state of nervous excitement1 a few pats on the neck and a soothing word or two often act like magic in calming them down4 ,a mare which was lent me in ,calcutta by a horse importer1 and on which ,i won a cup in an open jumping competition1 was in such a state of nervousness that she would not let me take the trophy until ,i patted and spoke to her1 and the presentation was then effected without a scene4 ,this animal1 which was a well-bred ,australian1 was a stranger to me1 and had never carried a lady before that day4 ,nevertheless1 she passed successfully through a terribly trying ordeal1 and ,i am certain that she would not have made the great efforts she did in jumping1 if ,i had not soothed and encouraged her with my voice4 ,she was only #ad-b in height1 and was competing against big horses1 some of which were ridden by steeplechase jockeys4 ,the competition took place at night in a circus which was lighted by electricity1 and which was open at each end4 ,the object to be jumped was a white gate placed midway across the arena1 and raised each time that it had been successfully cleared4 ,from the glare of electric light in this crowded place1 we had to go into outer darkness and carefully avoid the tent pegs and ropes in finding our way to the other entrance4 ,while we were waiting our turn to jump1 we had to stand near a cage of lions which growled savagely during the whole time1 and also in the vicinity of two camels4 ,my mount disliked the camels far more than the lions2 in fact1 she hated the sight of them1 and would have done her best to escape1 if ,i had not turned her head away from them and patted and soothed her4 ,mr4 ,frank ,fillis1 who was the proprietor of the circus1 told me that horses have such an antipathy to camels that they will not drink1 however thirsty they may be1 from a bucket which has been used by one of these long-necked animals4 ,by-the-bye1 my acquisition of this cup caused me to be branded as a circus rider by the ladies in a ,little ,pedlington village in this country2 for when the local society leader called on me1 ,i was out1 and my son1 by way of entertaining her1 showed her the cup that mother won in a circus6 ,in order for the voice to be effective1 the word of command must be given at the moment when a horse is about to play up in any way1 not after he has committed a fault1 and therefore a knowledge of horses and their ways is necessary before we can use the voice properly4 ,it is always advisable to keep an eye on our mount1 because if we do not do so1 we shall be unable to seize the generally brief moment which exists between the thought of evil in the animal's mind and its execution4 ,those who have lived much among horses must have frequently noticed this preparatory period before a horse plays up1 and no doubt have profited by the warning their experienced eyes gave them2 for if we see what is about to come1 and know how to avert it1 we are often able to save ourselves from disaster4 ,in order that the animal may thoroughly understand our words of command1 we should have as few of them as possible1 employ them only when necessary1 and always in the same respective tone of voice1 whether it be a soothing word of encouragement accompanied by a few pats on the neck1 or the word steady given in a determined tone1 and accompanied by a restraining pull on the reins as may be necessary4 ,the word whoa is best uttered in rather a high key and in a drawling tone1 when we begin to pull up a horse during movement2 but we should reserve steady1 like the curb1 for use in emergency1 and should utter it in a threatening tone of voice4 ,the words of command which an inexperienced rider will find most useful are a click of the tongue for a walk1 trot1 and canter2 whoa to pull up2 steady when he is going too fast1 or indulging in unnecessary leaps and bounds2 go on1 with a few pats on the neck1 if he is nervous about passing any object1 or shying2 and a quiet word or two of encouragement1 with more pats on the neck1 when he is in a state of nervous excitement1 as1 for instance1 on his first day with hounds4 ,illustration3 ,fig4 #he4--;,hunting whip4 ,when visiting a horse in his stable to give him a carrot or other tit-bit1 his mistress should call him by his name1 and he will soon neigh on hearing her voice1 if she always gives him something nice2 for horses1 like poor relations1 don't appreciate our visits unless they can get something out of us4 ,lady ,dilke had a horse which she had trained to lick her hand4 ,on going up to him in his box she would put out her hand and say ,lick her1 dear1 and the animal would give her his mute caress like a dog3 it was very pretty to see how well the pair understood each other4 ,we may see the power of the voice exemplified in cart horses1 which will turn to right or left1 go faster or slower1 or pull up1 according as they receive the word of command from the wagoner who walks beside them4 ,the voice is also greatly used by polo players4 ,horses are very catholic in their admiration for tit-bits4 ,they like all kinds of sweets and fruit1 and will even crunch up the stones of plums and peaches1 which require good teeth to crack4 ,an old favourite of mine was particularly fond of chocolate and jam tarts6 ,,whip4 ,the chief uses of a hunting whip are to help the rider to manipulate gates1 and to be cracked2 the former being much more necessary to a horsewoman than the latter4 ,the crop should therefore be of a serviceable length4 ,it is the very silly fashion at present to have hunting whips that are less than two feet long4 ,many are made of whalebone1 and are covered with catgut1 their special advantage being that their flexibility greatly facilitates the process of cracking4 ,a more serviceable crop for a lady is one of stiff cane1 the thick end of the handle of which is made rough1 as in ,fig4 #he1 or is provided with a metal stud1 so that the handle may not slip when it is pushed against a gate4 ,formerly1 two feet three inches was the usual length of a hunting crop for both sexes4 ,three feet is a much better length for ladies1 who cannot get down into their saddle like men4 ,besides1 a fairly long crop is very useful for keeping a horse straight by the rider touching him with it on the off flank when he wants to run out to the left1 which is his favourite side for refusing in the large majority of cases4 ,a short crop is useless for this purpose1 as the right hand will be fully occupied on such trying occasions in keeping the animal's head toward the obstacle1 and the crop should be able to perform its share of the work by a turn of the wrist1 care being taken that no jerk is communicated to the rein4 ,illustration3 ,fig4 #hf4--,thong properly put on4 ,illustration3 ,fig4 #hg4--,thong properly put on4 ,the thong is about three feet ten inches long1 is furnished with a lash1 which is about a foot long1 and is attached to the keeper1 which is a leather loop at the end of the crop4 ,men generally like a thong of white pipe-clayed leather1 but as the colour is apt to come off and soil one's habit1 a brown leather thong is best for ladies4 ,the keeper of the modern hunting whip has a slit1 near its end1 through both thicknesses of leather4 ,in attaching the thong1 the loop at its upper end is placed over the end of the keeper1 and it is then passed through the slit and drawn tightly 7,fig4 #hf74 ,the old-fashioned keeper1 which is still greatly in use1 is a simple loop of leather1 over which the loop of the thong is put1 and the remainder of the thong is threaded through the opening at the end of the keeper 7,fig4 #hg74 ,a wrong way to put on the thong is1 in the first instance1 to pass the loop of the thong through 7instead of over7 the keeper 7,fig4 #hh74 ,some authorities might take exception to the way the thong is put on in ,fig4 #hi4 ,to facilitate the use of the thong1 it is well to have a long keeper1 as in ,fig4 #hf4 ,the keeper of the whip which is shown in ,fig4 #he1 and also in ,fig4 #hg1 is too short4 ,illustration3 ,fig4 #hh4--,thong incorrectly put on4 ,illustration3 ,fig4 #hi4--,thong not quite right4 ,the chief use of the thong in hunting is to recover the crop if it happens to be pulled out of the hand when opening a gate1 before doing which1 one or more turns of the thong are consequently taken round the hand4 ,it also enables us to warn off hounds who approach too near our horses' legs1 on which occasions the whip should be held at arm's length1 with thong and lash vertical4 ,a touch of the lash may aid in encouraging a friend's horse to go through something to which he objects1 but a man would doubtless be handy to do the needful in such a case4 ,it would be well for a lady to know how to crack her whip1 if her help were required in turning hounds1 or in hurrying up a laggard hound2 but this art should first be learnt on foot1 under the tuition of a competent man1 in much the same way as ,mr4 ,frank ,ward teaches his pupils to catch the thong with precision for four-in-hand driving2 and the lady's hunter must also be trained to stand having a whip cracked on his back1 before any experiment of that kind is performed in the hunting field4 ,it is a good plan to first accustom hunters to the cracking of a whip in or near their stables1 letting them see the performance1 and1 after a ridden horse will quietly stand the whip being flicked1 his rider may safely crack it1 supposing1 of course1 she is able to wield her flail correctly1 and without touching the animal2 hence the necessity of acquiring precision in this art before attempting it on horseback4 ,an experienced hunting woman tells me that women should be as useful in the field as men2 but ,i fear that is impossible1 for we cannot get on and off our horses as easily as men1 to render prompt help in cases of emergency2 hold open a gate on a windy day1 or perform the numerous kindly acts which fall to the lot of the mere male4 ,besides1 however active and well-intentioned we may be1 we are hampered by our dress1 and still more so by the want of it1 in the case of an apron skirt4 ,if a crop is used for hacking1 say in the ,row1 the thong should be taken off1 for it would look as much out of place there as a pink hunting coat4 ,the whip should be always carried handle downwards1 on the off-side1 as if we were trying to conceal its presence1 and not as though we were riding with a rein in each hand1 and a whip in the other4 ,in a country of hedges1 like the ,shires1 it is well to acquire the habit of holding the whip in such a way that the handle of the whip will point directly backwards2 for if it is inclined outwards1 it will be apt to catch in a branch or twig1 when going through a bullfinch 7,fig4 #ij7 or straggling hedge4 ,illustration3 ,fig4 #ij4--;,a practicable ,bullfinch4 ,,spur4 ,the spur is inapplicable to the requirements of ordinary side-saddle riding2 because1 in order to use it properly1 it should be applied1 as nearly as practicable1 at right angles to the side of the horse1 so as to touch him only on one spot1 in which case the knee would have to be brought well away from the flap of the saddle1 and the toe of the boot turned outwards4 ,this would necessitate the use of a long stirrup leather1 which would bring the rider's weight too much to the near-side1 and would also render her seat insecure2 because1 instead of being able to get grip by the play of her left ankle joint 7p4 #adi71 she would have to draw back the left foot1 and press the upper part of the thigh against the leaping head4 ,her forced adoption of this feeble attempt to obtain firmness of seat is due to the fact that if she raised her left knee to put pressure on the leaping head1 her foot1 in all probability1 would come out of the iron1 owing to the long leather being slack at that moment4 ,besides1 with a leather at that length1 it would be impossible for her to press her leg strongly against the leaping head by the action of the ankle joint4 ,a lady who rides with her stirrup leather at the correct length 7,fig4 #gi71 can use the spur only in a more or less parallel direction to the animal's side1 in which case1 the spur1 if it is sharp1 will be almost certain to tear the skin1 instead of lightly pricking it4 ,the entirely wrong system of handling1 feeding1 and leading horses almost always on the near side1 teaches them to turn much more easily as a rule to that side1 which is a lady's weak side1 than to the right4 ,consequently1 when they run out at a fence1 they almost invariably swerve to the left4 ,in such a case1 a man has his hands to turn the animal's head and neck1 and his drawn back right leg to straighten the hind quarters2 but the handicapped lady can supplement the action of her reins only by the whip1 which she cannot use very effectively1 owing to her perched-up position on the saddle4 ,if she used a spur she would be at a still greater disadvantage1 because1 in order to escape the pain of the persuader1 the animal would naturally swing his hind quarters round to the right1 and would consequently bring his fore-hand still more to the left1 by the action of this misapplied aid4 ,if the lady's whip is not sufficiently long to give her mount the requisite reminder on the off flank1 either by being pressed closely against it1 or by the administration of a sharp tap1 it will be useless for straightening him4 ,lady ,augusta ,fane1 who is one of the best horsewomen in ,leicestershire1 and who certainly rides a greater variety of hunters during a season than any other lady in the ,shires1 is strongly opposed to the use of the spur4 ,she tells me that if a horse is so sticky as to require a spur1 he is no hunter for this country2 and if he is a determined refuser1 no woman1 spur or no spur1 can make him gallop to these big fences and jump4 ,i consider a spur a very cruel thing1 and feel certain that many men would find their horses go better1 and jump better1 if they left their spurs at home1 and many accidents would be avoided4 ,lord ,harrington1 who is well known as a fine horseman1 also dislikes spurs1 and has advocated their abolition in the ,yeomanry4 ,in this he should receive the support of all good riders1 as they know that placid-tempered horses have better paces1 higher courage1 superior staying power1 and greater cleverness and tact in times of danger than excitable ones4 ,in polo1 where the legs are far more required for guiding the horse than in hunting1 the use of sharp spurs is forbidden1 except by special permission4 ,whyte-,melville points out that my sex are unmerciful in the abuse of the spur4 ,he says3--,perhaps because they have but one1 they use this stimulant liberally and without compunction4 ,from their seat and shortness of stirrup every kick tells home4 ,concealed under a riding habit1 these vigorous applications are unsuspected by lookers on4 ,i have seen more than one poor animal's side badly torn and bleeding from a lady's spur4 ,a lady who rides a horse in the ordinary way with this instrument of torture1 which she is unable to use correctly1 brands herself in the eyes of her more experienced sister as an incompetent horsewoman4 ,i have heard hunting men advocate the spur for ladies2 but they would probably change their opinion if they were to try the effect of riding with one spur1 and that on the left foot1 especially in a lady's hunting saddle4 ,very few men who wear spurs are able to use them properly2 ,whyte ,melville says not one in ten1 and the tenth is often most unwilling to administer so severe a punishment4 ,the late ,george ,fordham wholly repudiated the tormentors1 and said they made a horse shorten his stride and shut up1 instead of struggling bravely home4 ,my husband1 in ,riding and ,hunting1 says it is the fashion to wear spurs with top-boots1 but many good horses go much better without them4 ,whyte ,melville remarks that a top-boot has an unfinished look without its appendage of shining steel2 and although some sportsmen assure us that they dispense with rowels1 it is rare to find one so indifferent to appearances as not to wear spurs4 ,men wear spurs in hunting because it is fashionable to do so1 but there is no such arbitrary law laid down for ladies1 and the presence of the spur certainly adds to the danger of dragging by the stirrup2 for1 as ,whyte ,melville points out1 its buckle is extremely apt to catch in the angle of the stirrup iron1 and hold us fast at the very moment when it is important for our safety we should be free4 ,illustration3 ,fig4 #ia4--,spur-carrying whip used for high school riding4 ,in ,continental high school riding1 a spur is a necessity1 as1 without its aid1 the ecuyeres would not be able to perform many of their airs de manege4 ,these ladies1 in order to apply the spur with freedom1 have the stirrup leather so long that they are deprived of the immense advantage1 which the play of the ankle-joint gives us1 of applying pressure with the leg against the leaping head1 and with the flat of the knee against the saddle flap4 ,the school rider seeks to strengthen her weak seat by the employment of a very long and greatly curved leaping head1 which serves to support her leg while her knee is removed from the flap of the saddle when using the spur4 ,this leaping head1 which almost encircles the left leg1 would1 of course1 be a most dangerous thing to use when hunting4 ,the spurred lady also has a spur clamped on to her whip1 in order that she may be able to prod her horse equally on both sides4 ,the whip-spur 7,fig4 #ia7 is like a wheel with sharp spokes and no tyre4 ,the application of the spur by ,continental ecuyeres1 especially in obtaining the more difficult airs1 is more or less constant1 so as to keep the animal in a continued state of irritation4 ,i went behind the scenes in a well-known circus in ,paris1 where ,i saw a lady mounted and waiting to go on and give her performance4 ,a man was holding her horse's head1 and a second attendant1 with a spur in his hand1 was digging the unfortunate animal on the near side under her habit1 which he was holding up for the purpose4 ,he took care to inflict the cruel punishment on a part of the horse's body which would not be seen by the public6 ,the animal1 being unable to advance1 was lifting his legs up and down 7doing the piaffer71 and sighing and groaning in agony4 ,when the circus doors were opened and relief thus came to him1 he bounded into the arena like a fury1 amidst the thunderous applause of the audience6 ,i should have liked to have seen that spur-man punished for cruelty to animals1 for if the performance went on1 as ,i believe it did1 every night1 that horse's near side must have been in a shocking condition6 ,it is by no means an unusual occurrence for high school lady riders to be securely tied to their saddles4 ,we must remember that a hunter has to carry his rider for several hours4 ,hunting is not steeplechasing1 and if a reluctant fencer cannot be sufficiently roused by a touch of the whip1 ,i fail to see what is to be gained by spurring him on the near side1 and thus giving him a direct incentive to refuse to the left4 ,besides1 as it is the opinion of some of our best horsemen that nine out of every ten men who hunt would be better and more safely carried if they rode without spurs1 ,i certainly think that no lady should subject her hunter to the insult of the spur1 especially as she can inflict the punishment only on the near side1 and thus provoke a defensive attitude which she has no compensating power to successfully resist4 ,some years ago ,i rode in a jumping competition at ,ranelagh4 ,there were about twenty men and one lady besides myself among the competitors4 ,the lady found at the last moment that she had forgotten her spur1 and a servant was sent to her trap for it1 as she said she could not ride without it4 ,she used her spur1 but was unable to get her horse over even the first fence6 ,lufra1 a well-known prize winner at the ,agricultural ,hall and elsewhere1 won the ,cup1 after a strong contest against my horse ,gustave1 who was given a red rosette for being second4 ,gustave had never jumped in a competition before4 ,he was ridden in a plain snaffle1 and the only mistake he made was in just tipping the raised gate with his hind legs4 ,he was evidently unaware that it had been raised1 for when ,i took him at it again1 just to show the ladies that he could jump it1 he cleared it beautifully1 and his temperate style of fencing was greatly admired4 ,,chapter ,x4 ,,first ,,lessons ,,in ,,riding4 ,the walk--,turning--,the halt--,the trot--,the canter--,the gallop--,jumping-- ,reining back4 ,,the ,,walk4 ,a horse which is held by a groom for a lady to mount1 will generally start off at a walk without any given signal to do so1 when the servant leaves his head1 unless his rider desires him to remain at the halt1 when she would give him a command1 by saying whoa62 and when she wants him to proceed on his journey1 she should say go on1 or click with the tongue4 ,it is best to put a beginner on an animal which has been trained to await the commands of his rider1 in order that she may from her very first lesson in riding1 learn the rudiments of horse control4 ,she should never jerk the reins as a signal to start1 because this practice is very apt to confuse and consequently to irritate the animal1 especially as the perpetrator of this betise will1 in all probability1 use the same means for stopping him4 ,before she gets on his back1 the instructor should show how the reins should be held1 and how the horse should be given the order to walk4 ,it is the custom in many riding schools to place the curb and snaffle reins in the rider's left hand and leave her to find out their use as best she can1 but as the lady will require to devote almost the whole of her attention to her seat1 and as in hunting she will ride with both hands on the reins1 it is better to give her a snaffle rein to hold in each hand1 and not introduce the curb until she is sufficiently secure in her seat to be able to manipulate it properly4 ,the unusual feeling of sitting on the back of a moving animal will often cause a lady to lean forward and grip her crutches1 in order to retain her seat1 especially at the turns in the school or enclosure1 where she may be receiving her lesson1 but the instructor should watch her carefully1 and should call a halt when the pupil is observed to be riding her crutches instead of sitting well down in her saddle1 and obtaining the necessary steadying power without bringing the weight of her body forward4 ,the rider will not require to grip her crutches while proceeding in a forward direction at a walk1 although their aid may be necessary when executing a turning movement1 and she should also be ready to apply grip at any moment of emergency4 ,she will at first experience some difficulty in being able to dissociate balance from grip1 and as her efforts to do so may be somewhat fatiguing to her1 her first lessons should be of short duration4 ,fig4 #ib shows an easy1 comfortable position when riding at a walk4 ,after the rider has mastered the art of sitting comfortably and firmly in her saddle at a walk1 she should be given a whip to hold in her right hand1 which should also hold the right rein4 ,i think the best kind of flail for a beginner is a long cane4 ,a cutting whip is not sufficiently stiff to be used as an indication1 and it is apt to tickle the horse's sides1 and make him unsteady4 ,illustration3 ,fig4 #ib4--,thorough-bred mare at a walk4 ,,turning4 ,a lady should not be initiated in the mysteries of any other pace1 until she is able to turn her horse at a walk1 in any direction1 while maintaining a correct balance of her body1 and applying only sufficient grip to aid the movement4 ,in turning a horse to the right1 she should lower her right hand and carry it well away from his shoulder1 while feeling the right rein1 so as to give him as clearly as possible1 the indication to turn2 she should press the left rein against his neck1 by moving her left hand to the right2 she should grip her crutches1 and lean to the right2 and should resume her erect position when the turn is completed4 ,if the animal answers these indications only by turning his head to the right1 and does not bring his hind quarters round to the left1 she should touch him lightly with the whip on the off flank1 so as to make him bring his hind quarters round4 ,in turning to the left1 the opposite indications are employed2 the only difference being that the whip cannot be used on the animal's left side1 owing to the presence of the skirt4 ,this inability to employ the whip on the left side is not of much consequence as a rule1 because almost all horses readily bring their hind quarters round to the right1 when they are turned to the left4 ,having turned to the right1 she may ride her horse in a circle to the right1 while inclining her body slightly inwards1 and keeping a nice feeling of the right rein1 and a firm grip of her crutches round the circle1 which at first should be large1 as the smaller the circle the more difficult it will be to ride and guide one's mount4 ,the reversed aids are used when circling to the left4 ,,the ,,halt4 ,in pulling up a horse from a walk1 or any other pace1 the rider should say whoa1 should lean back1 and at the same time draw in the reins with an even1 steady feeling1 while keeping her hands low4 ,if she has any difficulty in halting with precision1 she should practise walking her horse short distances and stopping him at the word whoa1 which should be given to him in a tone that he can understand1 for he cannot obey orders unless he knows their meaning4 ,,the ,,trot4 ,when learning to ride1 ladies should endeavour to be thorough1 and should not proceed to study a new pace1 before the previous one has been entirely mastered4 ,if the body is nicely balanced at sharp turns at the walk1 with the weight evenly distributed on the saddle1 and both legs kept perfectly steady and in their right position1 a great deal will have been done towards acquiring a firm seat4 ,when the pupil is able to ride with ease and grace at the walk1 she may receive a lesson in trotting4 ,i think it is best to teach the trot before the canter1 because the majority of horses trot a few steps before they strike off into the canter4 ,illustration3 ,fig4 #ic4--,preparing to rise at the trot1 with stirrup at correct length4 ,as an ounce of practice is worth a ton of theory1 the instructor should first of all show her pupil how the trot is correctly executed1 either without a skirt or with one pinned back1 so that the position of her legs may be seen4 ,she should try to make her practical demonstrations perfectly clear1 and should encourage her pupil to question her concerning any points in this difficult pace which she does not understand4 ,it is a good plan to trot both with and without a stirrup1 in order to show that the weight of the body during the rise should be placed on the right leg1 and not on the stirrup4 ,reference to ,figs4 #gi1 #ic1 #id1 #ih1 #ii1 #ajj1 #ajb and #ajd will show that the right leg remains in precisely the same position at the walk1 trot1 canter1 and leap4 ,the great difficulty in trotting is to keep this leg absolutely steady1 and to prevent it from working backwards and forwards with the motion of the body1 which can be done only by maintaining a steady pressure against the upper crutch with the right knee4 ,when this has been obtained1 and the rise can be made with the right leg held motionless1 the rider will find herself able somewhat to relax this pressure1 but in a mild form it is always necessary to press the right knee against the upper crutch in trotting1 so as to aid the balance and to avoid putting too much weight on the stirrup4 ,the right leg from the knee down should lie flat and in a slanting position against the horse's shoulder 7,fig4 #gi71 the movement of the animal's limb being distinctly felt by the rider's leg which is resting against it4 ,having ascertained that the stirrup is sufficiently long to admit of the flat of the hand being placed between the left leg and the leaping-head when the rider is not exercising grip 7,fig4 #hb7--which will allow the lady to clear the leaping-head when rising at the trot--she should take rather a short hold of her horse1 and induce him to bear on the snaffle to aid her to rise2 for a horse which will not bear on the reins is not a comfortable animal to trot with4 ,a lady should lean slightly forward and rise when the animal's near fore leg comes on the ground4 ,in ,fig4 #ic we see the horse's off fore on the ground and the lady preparing for the rise with her body inclined forward4 ,fig4 #id gives us the position of the rider at the rise1 and that of the horse's near fore leg4 ,as a well-executed trot can be acquired only after a great deal of practice1 a lady should not be disheartened if she makes but slow progress4 ,she will find it difficult to time the rise accurately1 and until she can do this it is best for her to sit down in the saddle and bump up and down a la militaire1 keeping her seat by the aid of her crutches1 and occasionally making an effort to rise4 ,if she rises at the wrong time1 her effort will be productive of a churning movement1 which should at once be discontinued1 for that slipshod style of trotting is not only incorrect1 but is liable to give the horse a sore back1 and will prove very tiring to the rider4 ,in making the rise she should straighten her left knee as in mounting1 and bear slightly on the stirrup1 executing her upward movement by the aid of the ankle-joint and by simultaneously pressing the upper crutch with her right knee1 when she will return to her former position without being in any way jerked during the movement4 ,the stirrup should always be kept in one fixed position at the ball of the foot1 and both foot and stirrup should act with automatic precision1 without the slightest jerk or wriggle1 exactly as though the lady were making an upward step from the ground4 ,the pressure of the foot should be directed on the inner side of the stirrup-iron1 in order that the leg may lie close to the flap of the saddle4 ,she will not require to lift herself from the saddle1 for the horse will put her up to the necessary height1 if she straightens her left knee and prepares to rise at the right moment4 ,the height of the rise will vary according to the size and action of the horse4 ,an animal of1 say1 #ae-c1 with a long1 swinging trot1 will cause his rider to rise higher in the saddle than a smaller horse with a short1 shuffling gait4 ,many ponies have a short1 quick trot requiring a hardly perceptible rise from the rider2 but they are not1 as a rule1 comfortable trotters4 ,the lady1 as ,i have already remarked1 rises when the animal's near fore leg is placed on the ground1 and remains seated while the off fore leg rests on the ground1 but the height and duration of the rise will depend on his power of forward reach4 ,some ladies exert themselves far too much in rising1 and flop down on their saddles with a noise which attracts attention to their faulty riding1 and which must be very uncomfortable both to them and their mounts4 ,the chief cause of this faulty style is the adoption of a long stirrup 7,figs4 #ie and #if71 by which the weight of the body is brought so much to the near side that the rider can rise only with great muscular exertion1 and with the risk of giving her mount a sore back1 by the downward drag of the saddle to this side4 ,if the horse were to break into a canter1 the lady with a long stirrup would obtain her grip by bringing back the left leg as in ,fig4 #ig and pressing against the leaping-head high up on the thigh1 which would give her a very insecure and ungraceful seat4 ,i have seen ladies trying to trot with the left leg1 from hip to foot1 swinging about like the pendulum of a clock1 as if they had no knee-joint at all4 ,when we see an effort to trot with a stiff left leg swinging along the horse's shoulder1 we may safely conclude that the rider has her stirrup too long1 and knows nothing about the art of trotting1 or that the leaping-head of her saddle is placed so low down on the near side that she is unable to ride in it1 and has to stick on as best she can4 ,as we do not use the leaping-head in trotting1 its position on the saddle may appear unimportant1 but this is not the case2 for1 even if a lady has her stirrup at its correct length1 the fact of the leaping-head being placed low down on the near side1 compels her to ride with her stirrup longer than she would have to do if this crutch were properly placed4 ,the farther it is away from the upper crutch1 the greater difficulty will a lady have in rising at the trot4 ,i have tried to ride in saddles in which ,i have found trotting such a tiring business1 and requiring so much muscular exertion on my part1 that it was much more comfortable for me not to rise1 but to bump in military fashion4 ,many ladies1 probably from the same reason1 never rise in the trot4 ,it is both wrong and unkind to put girls on bad saddles and then reproach them for not sitting straight at the trot1 for ,i have found it absolutely impossible to do so in some saddles4 ,much of the soreness and misery which ladies suffer in their efforts to trot1 would be obviated if the leaping-head of their saddles were placed as in ,fig4 #af4 ,illustration3 ,fig4 #id4--,rising at the trot1 with stirrup at correct length4 ,illustration3 ,fig4 #ie4--,preparing to rise at the trot1 with stirrup too long4 ,although a well-executed trot looks nice1 it should be only sparingly indulged in1 because it is more fatiguing to the rider than the canter and is particularly liable to give a horse a sore back2 for1 do what the lady will to sit square1 the saddle1 supposing she rises1 cannot fail to have some side motion4 ,of course the rider should walk or trot1 and not canter1 on metalled roads and hard ground1 but she should always take advantage of any bit of soft going and indulge in a nice easy canter on it4 ,a lady learning to trot will require to do her hair up securely with plenty of hair-pins1 pay attention to the fit of her hat1 and see that it is provided with elastic an inch wide 7p4 #aad71 because she will find her head jerked about a good deal during her first lessons4 ,the trot should be properly studied in a school or enclosure before a lady is taken out on the roads1 for she can learn nothing by slithering along anyhow1 and will be liable to contract a bad method of riding1 which will probably prevent her from ever becoming a good horsewoman4 ,we must remember that the trot is the most difficult of all paces1 and can be correctly acquired only after much patient practice2 but it is worth doing well4 ,very few ladies excel in this art1 for the simple reason that they do not care to go through the drudgery of it4 ,some ladies are so impatient that they give up the study of a pace as soon as they can stick on their saddles4 ,how few who hunt can really ride well6 ,in ,leicestershire a fine horsewoman remarked to me that several ladies ride hard who are indifferent horsewomen--a fact which ,i think we may see demonstrated in every hunting-field2 but what is worth doing at all is surely worth doing well1 and a lady should strive to be a good horsewoman as well as a plucky rider4 ,when a horse increases his pace without being ordered to do so1 he should be at once checked by a pull1 not a jerk1 on the reins1 which should be accompanied by a word1 such as steady1 uttered in a warning1 determined tone that he will understand2 because he should never be allowed to take the initiative1 which he would do by breaking into a canter4 ,the trot should be slow at first1 until the rider is secure in her seat1 when it may be increased gradually to its fullest limit4 ,the faster a horse trots1 the stronger bearing should we have on the reins1 but when we find the pace degenerating into a rocking movement1 the animal should be steadied and collected1 because he is exceeding the limit of his speed1 and is probably trotting with his fore and cantering with his hind legs1 as we may frequently see with horses which are being overdriven in harness4 ,after practice has been acquired in trotting in a forward direction1 and the rider is able to sit with ease and grace1 she should trot in a circle to the right1 taking care to keep a good grip1 incline her body inward1 and guide her horse with precision4 ,the circle1 which should be large1 may then be made to the left1 which will more strongly test the rider's seat1 and particularly her command of her right leg4 ,if she does not ride correctly1 this circling should be stopped1 and the mistake rectified by more practice in a forward direction4 ,illustration3 ,fig4 #if4--,rising at the trot1 with stirrup too long4 ,if a horse1 during the trot1 suddenly breaks off into a canter1 the rider should sit down in her saddle as in the walk1 and grip her crutches as may be required4 ,she should not be the least bit alarmed at this new pace1 supposing that she has not been taught to canter1 for all she will have to do will be to sit down and allow her body to follow the movements of the horse by the play of her hip joints1 as explained in the first lesson 7p4 #aei74 ,the lady who has practised leaning back 7p4 #aeh7 will be able almost at once to adapt herself to the requirements of the canter2 but as the trot is the subject of her study1 the horse should be instantly pulled up4 ,in order to do this safely1 she should lean slightly back in her saddle1 and stop him gradually1 employing her usual word of command1 and1 while keeping her hands low down and well apart1 exert a firm and fixed pressure on the reins4 ,the rider must never allow herself1 however disobedient her mount may be1 to job his mouth with the reins1 or to use them at any time as a means of punishment4 ,also she must not try to pull him up suddenly1 but always gradually1 in order that he may not strain the ligaments or tendons of his legs4 ,if a horse hears and understands his rider's word of command1 he will pull up in a manner most easy to himself4 ,in practising the trot1 the pupil should try to look between her horse's ears1 and should keep her elbows as close to her sides as is comfortable1 for she would lose power over her mount by turning them out4 ,if she interferes with the horse's mouth1 and does not keep her reins at one fixed length1 the animal will naturally become unreliable in his paces4 ,if she feels a pain in her side or gets a headache while trotting1 the lesson for that day should be at once stopped1 because she will not be able to ride properly if she is enduring any kind of discomfort4 ,parents should pay great attention to this matter1 especially if the riding instructor is a man1 because a girl would naturally be disinclined to mention any personal ailment to him4 ,whoever the teacher may be1 he or she should always humour a nervous pupil1 and not1 as many do1 start with the idea of getting her shaken into her seat1 at the risk of ruining her riding nerve for ever and causing her to loathe her lessons4 ,if a pupil during her first trotting lesson suffers from nervousness1 it is best to discontinue the trot and finish the lesson at the walk1 in order to settle her nerves and not frighten her out of her wits4 ,her next trotting lesson should be commenced at the walk1 and an occasional effort be made to trot a short distance1 so that she may gradually obtain the necessary confidence1 and an encouraging word should always be given her when she does well4 ,illustration3 ,fig4 #ig4--;,canter1 with right leg hooked back1 and stirrup too long4 ,,the ,,canter4 ,after the pupil has mastered the difficulties of the trot1 she will appreciate the enjoyable motion of an easy canter1 which is the lady's pace par excellence4 ,in the canter a horse should lead with his off fore leg1 except when he is turning or circling to the left1 and a beginner should be given a horse or pony which has been trained to canter correctly4 ,as the majority of horses are not taught to start from a walk to a canter1 the pupil should proceed at a smart trot1 and1 while holding the reins somewhat slack1 turn her horse's head slightly to the left1 and touch him on the right shoulder with her whip1 to make him break into a canter with his off fore leading4 ,illustration3 ,fig4 #ih4--;,good seat at canter or gallop4 ,she should sit firmly into her saddle1 should lower her hands 7,fig4 #ih7 more than in the trot1 and should fix the speed at which she wishes her horse to proceed1 while keeping an easier feeling on his mouth than when trotting4 ,she should indulge in no snatches at the reins1 but should always preserve one fixed length of rein1 unless she requires to alter the pace4 ,the legs should remain perfectly still as in the walk1 the knees should be kept ready to grip the crutches at any required moment1 and the body from the hips upward should conform to the motion of the horse4 ,figs4 #ih1 #ii and #ajj show a nice easy position in the different phases of the canter4 ,it is absolutely essential for a lady to acquire a good strong seat at this pace1 because it is practically the same as in the gallop and jump1 and must therefore be regarded as her hunting seat4 ,one of the first things to remember in the canter is to allow no movement of the seat1 which should remain nailed as it were to the saddle1 the hip joints supplying all the necessary motion to the body1 and1 as ,i have already said1 the legs should be kept perfectly steady4 ,to increase the adherence of the left knee against the flap of the saddle1 the left foot should be carried a little outwards away from the horse's side1 and its pressure chiefly applied to the inner side of the stirrup-iron1 which will consequently be more depressed than the outer side4 ,it has been remarked that an ugly seat at the canter is a sight that would spoil the finest landscape in the world1 so a lady who desires to ride well should not be satisfied if she can merely stick on1 like the lady in ,fig4 #aja1 but should try to ride correctly4 ,her head will perhaps at first be jerked to and fro like a vexed weathercock1 but practice will enable her to overcome the tendency to fix the muscles of her neck and to allow her head to follow the motion of her body4 ,she should take care that her elbows do not flap up and down like the pinions of an awkward nestling learning to fly1 but should keep them close to her sides1 where they will be of more assistance to her in controlling her horse4 ,in cantering on a circle to the left1 a horse should of course lead with his near fore1 for if he then leads with his off fore he will be liable to cross his legs and fall4 ,if the canter is false--that is to say1 if a horse is leading with the wrong leg--the movements of the limbs will be disunited1 and the rider will find the motion rough and unpleasant1 in which case she should pull him up and make him lead with the correct leg4 ,when the pupil feels herself becoming tired or unsteady in her seat1 she should give the horse her verbal signal to stop1 at the same time taking an even and gradual pull at the reins4 ,as ,i have already said1 a horse should be gradually pulled up from a canter into a trot or walk4 ,although a beginner's mount will1 or at least should1 allow a certain amount of liberty to be taken with his mouth1 it must be remembered that every horse will go better with a rider who tries to save his mouth as much as possible when conveying her orders to him by means of the reins4 ,when he is going too fast1 the warning word steady should always accompany any restraining action of the reins1 until the horse is accustomed to his rider's handling1 when the pull may be taken in silence4 ,as the voice is a valuable aid in riding1 ,i would strongly advise the inexperienced horsewoman never to speak to her horse when he is at work1 except when giving him an order4 ,he will then be able to understand the meaning of her words of command4 ,particular attention should be paid to the observance of this rule1 for a lady who is incessantly talking to her horse1 reproving or caressing as the case may be1 renders him more or less indifferent to the voice as a means of control on an emergency4 ,after he has carried her well1 a few pats on the neck will establish a feeling of good fellowship between horse and rider1 and the animal will always regard these caresses1 and the kindly words that accompany them1 as a sure sign of his mistress's approval4 ,after she has dismounted she may make much of him1 but while on his back it is wiser to reserve her voice for giving orders4 ,a funky rider as a rule keeps continually talking to her mount1 and the animal gets to know that she is nervous1 and soon becomes the master4 ,a horse1 like a domestic servant1 will not be obedient and respectful unless he thoroughly understands that his first duty is to obey4 ,neither a horse nor a servant who fails to recognise this fact is worth his keep4 ,every girl who is learning to ride1 naturally desires to establish a feeling of friendship between herself and her mount1 because she knows that he can get rid of her off his back any time he likes2 but she should remember that a horse1 like a servant1 is always ready to take a liberty1 and therefore any kindness she may bestow on him should be tempered with discretion and forethought as to its future results4 ,she may pet him as much as she likes1 but she should never allow him to have his own way1 in opposition to her expressed command4 ,the adoption of a conciliatory method with horses which deliberately refuse to obey orders is fatal1 because the lady who takes that course literally allows the reins of authority to slip through her fingers4 ,illustration3 ,fig4 #ii4--;,good seat at canter or gallop4 ,illustration3 ,fig4 #ajj4--;,good seat at canter or gallop4 ,,gallop4 ,an experienced hunting man remarked to me that a large number of ladies who hunt1 fail in ability to make their horses gallop1 which is a pace never taught by riding masters4 ,the gallop is not only necessary to acquire1 especially by a lady who intends to hunt1 but it improves the strength of seat more than any other gait4 ,besides1 a rider who is unaccustomed to it1 is always in danger of coming to grief1 if her horse breaks away with her1 either from being startled or from mere light-heartedness4 ,for a lady's first lesson in galloping1 a piece of nice soft smooth ground1 free from stones and holes1 and1 say1 a quarter of a mile or three furlongs in length1 should be selected4 ,the pupil should be provided with a rather sluggish horse1 which requires some riding up to his bridle1 and should be told to canter her horse at his highest speed1 for the canter and gallop merge imperceptibly into each other4 ,the seat in the canter is precisely the same as that in the gallop1 except that when the horse is going very fast1 a lady will find it easier to lean slightly forward1 take a good steady hold of the reins1 and keep her hands in one fixed position1 as low down as possible4 ,if she has any difficulty in getting her mount to extend himself1 the instructor should ride with her and set the pace4 ,when the lady's horse is really galloping1 he should slacken speed a little1 and let the animal pass him1 in order that the pupil may learn to ride a gallop without a lead4 ,the chances are that her horse will want to follow the example of his companion and go slower2 but she should keep him going at the same fast pace by a touch with the whip and a click of the tongue1 until she has arrived at the end of the specified distance4 ,as a fast gallop is very trying to a horse's legs1 it should be limited to occasional short spins on soft and smooth ground4 ,in the next lesson the instructor should assume the lead1 and tell his pupil to pull her horse up at a given distance1 while he gallops away from her4 ,this would be excellent practice for testing her power of horse control1 because in hunting it is of vital importance that she should always have her mount in hand1 and be able to stop him when necessary1 even if a crowd of horses are galloping away in front of her4 ,to do this when riding at a fast gallop1 she should gradually slacken his speed1 using the word steady1 and taking an even pull on the reins4 ,it may be necessary for her to ride at this pace with a double bridle 7curb and snaffle74 ,fig4 #ajj shows how the curb and snaffle reins should be held4 ,i have not advocated giving a beginner a bit and bridoon1 because in hunting she should always ride with the snaffle1 and reserve the curb for use in cases of emergency1 such as steadying her mount when galloping over plough or heavy ground1 or in slackening his speed4 ,the pupil who is learning to gallop should try the effect of the curb in stopping her horse while another horse is galloping away from her4 ,as it is a severe bit1 she would be wise to feel her horse's mouth with it only just enough to induce him to slacken his speed according to her indication4 ,it should be used with the object of reminding him that it is in his mouth4 ,if he does not obey the hint1 the lady should take a stronger pull1 and be ready to release her pressure when she feels her horse restrained by its influence1 and then she should ride on the snaffle4 ,my husband1 in ,riding and ,hunting1 says3--,with a double bridle we may ride on the snaffle as much as we like1 and keep the curb for emergencies2 although1 from not knowing how to hold the reins properly1 men frequently get into the habit of always riding on both reins1 and then they blame the double bridle for being too severe4444 ,a curb is indispensable with many horses for crossing an ,english hunting country in good style4 ,we must also remember that out hunting1 and with large fields1 like what we see with the ,quorn and ,pytchley1 the ability to obtain instant control over one's mount1 even in the midst of exciting surroundings1 is essential for the safety of one's self1 one's horse1 and one's companions1 and for avoiding interference with sport4444 ,i have known some horses1 whose mouths had evidently been spoiled by injudicious1 if not cruel1 treatment1 that would go quietly only in a snaffle4 ,whyte ,melville1 discussing the merits of the snaffle1 says3--,this bit1 the invention of common-sense going straight to its object1 while lying easily on the tongue and bars of a horse's mouth1 and affording control without pain1 is perfection of its kind4 ,of the double bridle he says3--,i need hardly explain to my reader that it loses none of the advantages belonging to the snaffle1 while it gains in the powerful leverage of the curb a restraint few horses are resolute enough to defy4 ,in skilful hands1 varying1 yet harmonising1 the manipulation of both1 as a musician plays treble and bass on the pianoforte1 it would seem to connect the rider's thought with the horse's movement1 as if an electric chain passed through wrist1 and finger and mouth1 from the head of the one to the heart of the other4 ,illustration3 ,fig4 #aja4--;,bad seat2 right leg hooked back1 stirrup too long1 and foot home4 ,,jumping4 ,after the pupil has mastered the art of trotting1 cantering1 and galloping1 and understands how to handle and control her mount with correctness and precision at these paces1 she should be given a lesson in riding over fences4 ,we may put up a small hurdle1 or some easy obstacle1 in an enclosed place1 and tell her to canter her horse straight to the centre of it and jump it4 ,all that she need be instructed to do1 is to give the horse his head when he is rising at the jump1 and to lean well back when he is about to land over it4 ,by giving her horse his head1 ,i mean that she is to extend her arms to their utmost length1 and bring them again into position after he has landed4 ,fig4 #ajb shows a lady leaning back and extending her arms at a fence4 ,the pupil will not require to alter the length of her reins when riding over fences1 presuming1 of course1 that she has been taught from the first to keep a nice easy feel on her horse's mouth4 ,she should be careful to leave the curb alone1 and always ride over fences on the snaffle4 ,the lady in ,fig4 #ajb is riding only with a snaffle1 and with a nice easy length of rein4 ,i must pause here to draw attention to the fine riding of the lady1 ,miss ,emmie ,harding1 of ,mount ,vernon1 ,new ,zealand1 who is jumping this formidable wire fence on her hunter ,marengo4 ,our hard riding ,colonial sisters have nothing to learn from us in the matter of sitting over stiff fences1 even high wire barricades that would certainly stop a whole field in the ,shires4 ,some critical ladies may consider that her left foot is carried too far back1 but this is not the case1 as she is riding with her stirrup at the ball of the foot and obtaining her grip of the leaping head without depressing the left knee4 ,when we require to obtain the maximum amount of grip1 as in jumping1 we instinctively draw back the left foot1 as shewn in ,fig4 #ajb1 in order that the ankle joint may exert its utmost power in pressing the leg against the leaping head4 ,in ,fig4 #ajd the position of the legs is identical with ,fig4 #ajb4 ,we can see that ,miss ,harding rides with her right leg forward1 in the manner ,i have advocated4 ,the rider should take a good grip of her crutches1 and keep her legs perfectly steady and close to her horse4 ,she should always ride him straight1 not sideways1 at his fences4 ,there should not be the slightest movement of her seat in the saddle4 ,as ,i have already explained1 she should try to imagine that she is nailed down to the saddle and cannot be shifted1 and that the movement of her body must come from the play of the hip joints4 ,illustration3 ,fig4 #ajb4--,miss ,emmie ,harding jumping wire4 ,if her small brother possesses a rocking-horse1 she should mount it and rock herself on it1 if she does not entirely understand what is meant by the play of the hip joints4 ,if she rides over her first fence incorrectly1 she should not be allowed to do so a second time without being put right4 ,it would1 therefore1 be advisable for her to have her skirt pinned back1 in order that the instructor1 who should be standing by the fence at the near side1 may see exactly how she obtains her grip4 ,it is obvious that this lesson in jumping should be given either by1 or under the supervision of a person experienced in side-saddle riding4 ,the pupil may be allowed to hold a whip1 but she should not use it1 for she might acquire the bad habit of hitting her horse every time he jumps a fence4 ,the whip in hunting should be kept for use at specially big fences1 and as a reminder to the horse that he must exert his best efforts to clear them with safety4 ,even then it is employed as an aid1 but not as a means of inflicting punishment4 ,no good horsewoman cuts her horse about the body with a whip4 ,if the fence has been nicely jumped1 the pupil extending her arms properly and keeping her hands low1 we may make much of her1 and that will recompense her for any uncomplimentary things we may have said about her riding4 ,after the small fence has been jumped nicely1 it may be replaced at the next lesson by one somewhat higher2 and when the lady has had practice over it on her steady horse1 she may ride another mount who is a bigger jumper4 ,no extra instructions need be given to her except that the higher the fence1 the more must she lean back on landing4 ,this jumping practice will probably teach her to always lean back when riding over a drop fence1 or going down a steep hill4 ,some ignorant people shout1 ,sit back1 when a lady is riding at a fence2 they should say1 ,lean back1 which means quite another thing4 ,illustration3 ,fig4 #ajc4--,maximum amount of pressure on leaping head4 ,if a lady1 when taking her riding lessons1 finds herself in any way uncomfortable in her saddle1 she should at once stop and have the fault1 whatever it may be1 rectified4 ,she should always be careful1 when dressing for riding1 to see that all her garments are put on correctly1 so that nothing may get displaced and cause discomfort when she is in the saddle4 ,if this does happen1 she should dismount1 if possible1 and arrange matters without delay2 otherwise she may be severely cut or rubbed and be unable to ride again for some time4 ,after she has been taught to ride1 she should be given a nice horse and a safe jumper1 for she well deserves one1 and will be able to ride him4 ,she should hack him along quiet roads and bridle paths and learn to open gates and go through them nicely1 always shutting them after her4 ,illustration3 ,fig4 #ajd4--,position of legs in jumping4 ,,reining ,,back4 ,as a lady will be unable to open gates correctly unless her horse will rein back readily1 it will be necessary for her to obtain practice in this useful exercise4 ,a horse which has to carry a woman should have previously been taught to rein back1 chiefly by word of command and with only slight indications of the reins1 because in the rein back a lady is greatly handicapped by her want of control over the animal's hind quarters4 ,in this movement we should above all things avoid leaning back and putting an equal feeling on both reins1 for that would be the very thing to prompt him to rear4 ,it is evident that as a horse has to be light in front when going forward1 he should be light behind when reining back4 ,therefore1 the rider should lean forward4 ,also1 she should feel the reins alternately1 turning the horse's head towards the fore leg which is more advanced than the other fore leg4 ,when she takes a steady pull with her right rein and finds that the horse draws back his off-fore1 she should slacken the right rein and take a similar steady pull with the left rein to induce him to bring back his near fore1 and so on4 ,during this alternate feeling of the reins she should keep her hands as low as practicable1 so that the horse may lower his head and put weight on his forehand1 and consequently facilitate the movements of his hind legs4 ,for each step the lady should use the words of command1 rein back1 in a decided tone of voice1 supposing of course that the animal has been taught the meaning of this verbal order4 ,however well a lady may carry out these directions1 she may not effect her purpose with precision1 because the side pulls of the respective reins will prompt the horse1 if he has not had previous training1 to bring round his hind quarters in the opposite direction4 ,the rider can prevent him doing this to the right by pressure of the whip on his off-flank2 but owing to the necessary shortness of her stirrup1 she will not be able to prevent him from swinging his hind quarters round to the left4 ,here1 the fact of a man having a leg on each side of his horse and fairly long stirrups1 makes him far more capable of reining back a horse properly1 than a lady seated on one side of the animal4 ,a man obtains command of a horse's hind quarters by the pressure of his legs1 especially when the feet are drawn back4 ,as horses very much dislike reining back1 ,i would caution the rider not to disgust her animal by continuing it for too long a time4 ,he should be occasionally reined back a couple of times for four or five paces1 and after each rein back should be allowed to go forward1 and he should be rewarded for his obedience by a few pats on the neck and some words of encouragement4 ,if the animal's temper be upset by too much reining back1 he will probably adopt the dangerous habit of running back1 when he would be very liable to fall1 or he may rear4 ,as inconsiderate people will persist in taking kickers into the hunting field1 every lady who desires to hunt should be able to rein back her horse1 in order to remove him1 if possible1 from the dangerous vicinity of an animal whose tail is adorned with a red bow1 which is a sign that he is a kicker1 and not that he has been recently vaccinated4 ,her next lessons should be devoted to obtaining practice in jumping various kinds of fences1 and in riding up and down hill1 over ridge and furrow and difficult ground1 which we will deal with in another chapter4 ,a lady should remember to always keep an eye on her mount1 and never let her attention be diverted from the order of his going1 however much she may be otherwise occupied4 ,to people who have had much practice in riding various horses1 this forward outlook becomes almost automatic4 ,i would advise my imaginary pupil to learn the following ancient rhyme by heart1 and to observe its teaching1 although it is not entirely applicable to ladies-- ,your head and your heart keep boldly up1 ,your hands and your heels keep down1 ,your knees keep close to your horse's sides ,and your elbows close to your own4 ,,chapter ,,xi4 ,,riding ,,across ,,country4 ,made fences--,practice over natural fences4 ,,made ,,fences4 ,it is necessary for a lady who intends to hunt1 to obtain as much practice as possible over the various kinds of fences which she may have to negotiate when hunting1 before she appears in the field4 ,although ladies living in the country may have an opportunity of obtaining practice over natural fences of gradually increasing size1 it is generally more convenient1 and perhaps safer1 to utilise made fences in a field or paddock4 ,these obstacles need not be very high to commence with1 but they should assume various forms1 due prominence being given to the most common kind of fence encountered in the country in which the rider desires to hunt4 ,two or more specimens of this particular obstacle may be included in the artificial collection4 ,to imitate ,leicestershire fences we may make1 for the first jump1 the nearest approach we can to an ordinary hedge2 the second1 a hedge with a ditch on the taking-off side2 the third1 a post and rail fence2 and the fourth1 another hedge1 with a ditch on both sides4 ,we may follow that with a cut-and-laid fence with a ditch on the take-off side2 and a stone wall1 made up of loose stones or bricks4 ,in the middle of the field1 where the rider can obtain a good run at it1 we may construct a water jump4 ,the other fences should be built by the side of the boundary fence of the paddock or field1 which may have to be artificially heightened for the purpose1 but not supplied with wings2 for in hunting1 fences are not protected for us in that way4 ,the pupil should first learn to jump them riding from left to right1 as horses generally refuse to the left1 and that side being blocked by the boundary fence1 the horse will be more liable to go straight4 ,the animal should1 of course1 first be ridden over them by the teacher in the presence of the pupil1 who will see exactly at which jump her mount may be likely to give trouble4 ,she should also observe the pace at which the animal is ridden1 especially at the water jump4 ,if he is sluggish1 it would be wise for the lady to give him a touch with the whip when riding at timber1 which he must not chance1 and at cut-and-laid fences1 which must also be jumped cleanly2 for if a horse gets a foot in the top binder1 the chances are that he will fall4 ,besides1 he must exert himself to clear the ditch on one or both sides4 ,he should be ridden over the course at a canter1 and allowed to jump the fences without interference from his rider1 for he will try his best to avoid falling4 ,he should be ridden fast at water1 as a certain amount of speed is necessary for jumping length2 but he should not be taken at full gallop1 as he would then be too much extended to raise himself in his spring4 ,if the correct pace could be gauged to a nicety1 ,i should say it is just a shade faster than a hand gallop4 ,horses1 as a rule1 jump water badly1 perhaps for the very good reason that they seldom get schooled at this kind of obstacle4 ,a line of made fences in a field or paddock would have to be comparatively close together1 say1 with intervals of not less than #cj yards between them2 although double that distance would be much better4 ,a lady riding over these obstacles could hardly help going at the same speed1 and1 therefore1 there would be but little opportunity for teaching her how she ought to regulate her pace for each of them1 which would not be the case if they were a quarter of a mile or so apart4 ,one advantage of riding over a line of made jumps is1 that it strengthens a rider's seat1 for no sooner has she landed over one fence1 than she must be ready to negotiate the next one4 ,she should remember to keep her hands low down and as steady as possible1 carefully avoiding shifting in the saddle1 flourishing her whip1 checking her mount with the reins1 shouting to him1 or committing any other act which is likely to distract his attention from the fence in front of him4 ,the horse given to the pupil to ride should be an experienced hunter1 and1 in that case1 she may safely trust him to carry her over the various leaps without any interference whatever4 ,if he takes them a shade faster than did the animal on which she rode over her first fence1 she should not try to check him4 ,as it is impossible for her to know the exact moment he is going to take off1 she should give him his head1 when he is coming up to the obstacle1 and be ready to lean well back as he is landing over it4 ,if a lady is riding with her reins too short1 and the horse1 in jumping1 makes a sudden snatch to get more rein1 she should at once let them slip through her fingers1 and learn1 from that experience1 to ride with the reins sufficiently long to enable her to have an easy feel of her horse's mouth1 without in any way hanging on to his head4 ,some inexperienced ladies get alarmed when a horse is about to take off1 and check him with the reins1 which is a most dangerous proceeding4 ,i have known the safest of jumpers pulled into their fences and caused to fall by the adoption of such tactics4 ,a lady should remember that when her mount is going straight for a fence1 with the intention of getting safely to the other side1 any interference on her part will cause him to either blunder badly1 or1 if the jump is a fixture1 to fall4 ,if a horse slackens speed when near a fence1 and suddenly runs out1 his rider should let him refuse and take him at it again4 ,i once got a very bad fall through turning a horse quickly at a fence which he was in the act of refusing4 ,we were close to the jump1 he had no time to take off properly1 so he breasted the obstacle1 a stiff timber jump1 and blundered on to his head4 ,that taught me a salutary lesson1 and therefore ,i would warn all ladies to let their horses run out when the animals have taken the first step in the wrong direction1 as it is then too late to keep them straight with safety1 and a sudden turn1 with the object of trying to do so1 is very apt to make a horse blunder4 ,when a touch with the whip is given to remind a horse that he has to clear a big ditch on the landing side1 or when riding at timber1 it should be used on the off flank by a turn of the wrist1 but without jerking the reins4 ,the whip1 as ,i have before remarked1 should be employed as an aid and not as a means of inflicting pain4 ,a lady should not bustle her horse at his fences1 except perhaps at water1 for every horse has his own pace at which he prefers to jump1 and the clever sort will always manage to put in a short stride1 or take a longer one at the last moment1 if they find that the strides they are using will not bring them up to the correct spot from which to take off4 ,in hunting1 the fences are generally taken at a canter1 and the pace is increased in galloping over the open ground4 ,horses are thus what is called steadied at their fences1 but the pull should not be made nearer the fence than #cj yards4 ,when a lady has made up her mind to ride at a fence1 she should think of nothing else but getting over it4 ,some women go at their fences in such a half-hearted1 irresolute manner that their horses learn to refuse4 ,too much practice over made fences is monotonous to the rider and hateful to her horse1 who is only too apt to become reluctant in such cases4 ,hence1 if the lady has ridden over the fences nicely1 from left to right and from right to left1 and taken her artificial brook at a good pace1 she should not be required to do any more jumping on that occasion4 ,the ground near the fences should be laid down with tan1 stable litter1 or anything else which will make the falling soft1 in the event of the pupil having a tumble4 ,it would be better for a lady not to be given a lead in riding over these made obstacles1 because it is necessary for her to have as much practice as possible1 at first1 in controlling her mount without assistance4 ,,practice ,,over ,,natural ,,fences4 ,a lady who has gone through the hard drudgery of learning to sit well1 will be repaid for her efforts on finding herself able to ride with ease over natural fences4 ,her companion should select the obstacles1 and give a lead1 but the pupil should not send her horse at a fence until she has seen her pilot safely landed and going away from it4 ,she should occasionally assume the lead1 in order that she may not always rely on the guidance of others4 ,unless there is a paucity of obstacles1 no fence should be jumped twice1 and the companion or attendant should be a man who knows the country1 so that he may direct his pupil to obstacles without going out of the way to meet them4 ,the more these fences are treated as adventitious circumstances1 and not the main object of the ride1 the steadier and more safely will a horse jump them4 ,a lady should ride as many different horses as she can1 and in company1 for when four or five horses are cantering together1 the lady's mount will1 doubtless1 be sufficiently excited to require steadying in approaching his fences1 and she may then learn to gauge the distance at which to take a pull at him4 ,those who are riding with her should require her to wait her turn at the only practicable place in a fence1 as she would have to do when hunting1 to pull her horse up to a halt1 and to send him at his fence with a run of only a few strides4 ,she should also practise trotting her horse up to a fence to see what is on the other side of it1 and1 if it is negotiable1 she should turn him away from it1 give him a short run at it1 and jump it4 ,after she has obtained as much practice as possible1 on different horses1 over various kinds of natural fences1 and has shown ability to control her mount at a gallop1 and when excited by the presence of other horses galloping in front of him1 she should be considered competent to commence her hunting career1 and take her place in the field at the beginning of the cub-hunting season4 ,she should remember on all occasions of difficulty and danger to keep a cool head and trust to the honour of her mount4 ,a good horsewoman1 even if she has had no experience in hunting1 will not be likely to incur disgrace by wild and incompetent riding1 for1 having been accustomed to keep her mount under thorough control1 she will carefully avoid spoiling the sport of others1 while seeing as much of it as she can in a quiet1 unobtrusive manner4 ,a lady should remember that strangers are not hailed with delight in any ,english hunting field2 but when they are found to be competent to take care of themselves and their horses1 they are far more kindly received1 than if they go there as recruits in the great slipshod brigade4 ,,chapter ,,xii4 ,,hacking4 ,it is necessary for a lady to acquire a knowledge of the rules of the road before riding in public1 especially if she be attended by a groom1 who would of course ride behind her4 ,persons1 whether riding or driving1 when proceeding in opposite directions1 pass each other on the near 7left-hand7 side of the road1 and when going in the same direction1 the more speedy party goes by the other on the off 7right7 side4 ,a male companion would ride on her off side4 ,in military riding1 the rule when meeting a rider proceeding in the opposite direction is bridle hand to bridle hand4 ,when the young horsewoman assumes charge of her mount in the open1 she should always keep a watchful eye on the road in front of her1 in order to avoid as far as possible dangerous ground and approaching vehicles4 ,her eyes and ears should enable her to mentally note objects coming behind her1 as well as those on either side1 such as1 for instance1 loose horses or cattle in fields1 the approach of trains1 etc41 in order that she may be prepared for any sudden movement on the part of her animal4 ,loose horses which we meet in fields have such a playful way of galloping up behind1 and frequently taking great liberties1 that it is often necessary to get into the next enclosure as quickly as possible4 ,even when quietly cantering on grass by the side of the road1 the vagaries of loose horses or cattle1 or even the sudden flight of birds on the other side of the dividing boundary1 may cause a rider to be taken by surprise1 if she has not previously made a mental note of her neighbourhood4 ,also1 she should always have reassuring words on the tip of her tongue for her animal in case of momentary alarm4 ,the quietest horse in the world may occasionally exhibit fear1 but if his rider uses her eyes and ears1 she will generally be prepared for any sudden flight of fancy on his part1 and will not be likely to lose her head4 ,a lady should avoid trotting on broken or uneven ground1 or on a road which is covered with loose stones1 as her horse would be liable to fall and perhaps cut his knees4 ,unless in a hurry to reach her destination1 she should not1 like a butcher's boy1 trot her horse at his fastest speed4 ,the ground chosen for a canter should be soft and1 if possible1 elastic1 and she should1 of course1 avoid the 'ammer1 'ammer on the 'ard 'igh road1 which is a fruitful cause of lameness4 ,any soft parts at the side of a road may be used for the canter1 or if the ground is very hard and dry1 as it sometimes is in summer1 and also in frosty weather1 only quiet trotting and walking exercise could be taken with safety to the horse4 ,a lady should always study her mount1 and carefully select the going4 ,it is best to ride down-hill at a walk4 ,if a horse stumbles he should never be hit or jobbed in the mouth1 because he takes no pleasure in making false steps1 or even in breaking his knees4 ,a lady should always give any passing vehicle as much room as possible4 ,if her animal is afraid to pass any object on the road1 the groom or attendant should at once ride in advance and give him a lead4 ,if he still evinces fear1 his rider should speak encouragingly to him1 pat him on the neck1 and tell him to go on4 ,if this fails1 and he shows an inclination to turn in an opposite direction1 she should check him at once1 and order him to go on in a severe tone of voice4 ,it will be on such occasions as these that a rider who has never acquired the silly habit of constantly talking to her mount1 will find the voice a powerful factor in horse control4 ,unfortunately1 many people1 when a horse shies1 lose their heads1 clutch at the reins1 hit the horse1 and commit other foolish acts which only irritate the animal1 without in any way allaying his fear1 supposing1 as we do1 that the horse is good-tempered1 and is not shying from vice4 ,the voice of his rider will inspire him with confidence1 and1 therefore1 when he has made an anxious and fearful step in the right direction1 he should be patted and spoken to in an encouraging tone1 so that his mind may not be wholly occupied with the terrifying object in front of him4 ,it is a good plan to incline his head away from it as much as possible4 ,i have ridden young horses who have shied at almost everything1 but have never worried them to go up to and smell the object of their aversion1 as some recommend1 because it is not always practicable to do so1 as1 for instance1 in the case of a motor car4 ,it is not wise to give undue importance to comparative trifles4 ,the voice has always stood me in good stead with shying horses1 who soon get to regard it as a sure sign that they have nothing to fear4 ,a lady who has been properly taught to ride1 and sits correctly1 should remember that whatever her horse may do in plunging about from one side of the road to the other1 he cannot unseat her1 so she need feel no alarm on that point4 ,the greatest danger is that the horse may dash into something which in his fright he has not seen1 but that1 fortunately1 is a very rare occurrence1 even with young horses4 ,however frightened a lady may herself feel1 she should never reveal her secret to her horse by speaking to him in a terrified tone of voice1 or by otherwise displaying fear2 and above all things1 she should never lose her temper and hit him1 no matter how obstinate he may be1 as doing so will only make him shy on the next occasion1 with a display of temper thrown in1 and he will then be more difficult than ever to manage4 ,the best way to act with a horse which shies from desire to play up1 is to take as little notice as possible of his antics1 give him more work1 and less corn4 ,a lady should always ride slowly round a corner1 and keep a good look out in front of her4 ,many things may happen during the course of a ride to try the nerve of both horse and rider1 but if anything should startle a horse1 his rider should keep her head cool1 sit tight1 and do her best to pull him up4 ,she will have doubtless accustomed him to the meaning of the word steady1 or other verbal order which she may have employed when slackening speed4 ,this word1 accompanied by a steady and vigorous pull on the reins1 should succeed in stopping him before he has had time to get up much speed4 ,if1 however1 a lady finds she cannot pull him up1 she should try to turn him to the left1 as that will be the easier1 supposing1 of course1 she has sufficient room in which to turn4 ,if not1 she should saw his mouth with the bit by working it from side to side4 ,the groom1 or attendant1 should on no account gallop after her1 as doing so will only tend to make the lady's horse go all the faster4 ,i remember riding a very hard puller belonging to ,mr4 ,wintle1 of ,shanghai4 ,one day this animal bolted with me1 and the stupid native mafoo behind galloped on after me4 ,i managed to stop the animal by turning him to the left1 and pointing his head away from the homeward direction in which we were proceeding1 but ,i was greatly hampered by my mount hearing the footfalls behind him4 ,the native groom was frightened1 and no doubt thought he could help me1 which he could best have done by pulling up4 ,i cannot too strongly impress on all ladies who ride the necessity of using a safety-bar on their saddles 7p4 #ch71 and wearing a safety skirt1 even when hacking2 for a sudden cause of fright may make the animal unseat his rider1 and it is no uncommon thing for a horse to fall when going over apparently level ground1 even at a walk1 in either of which cases she might get dragged by her stirrup or skirt1 if it is of the non-safety pattern4 ,in any case of difficulty with a horse1 a lady should contrive at all hazards to retain her self-possession and her seat1 remembering that the least symptom of alarm on her part will increase the terror or obstinacy of the animal4 ,my advice for stopping a runaway is not so easy to follow as drawing on a glove1 but it has extricated me on many occasions from a dangerous position and1 therefore1 ,i know it to be practicable2 but ,i hope no lady may ever have occasion to put it to the proof4 ,although all quarrels between horse and rider should be avoided1 a woman should never1 by over-indulgence1 induce her mount to consider that she is afraid of him1 because if he once gets that idea into his head1 he will exert every means to convince her that he is the master1 and will end by doing precisely what he likes1 instead of implicitly obeying her commands4 ,by watching my husband reduce to subjection vicious horses in various parts of the world1 ,i have seen that although equine demons cannot be conquered by physical strength1 they can be controlled by coolness1 patience and knowledge1 which is a fact that every riding woman should bear in mind4 ,,chapter ,,xiii4 ,,riding ,,without ,,reins4 ,undoubtedly the best and quickest way for a lady to learn to ride well is the one which ,i shall now describe1 and which ,i believe ,i have been the first to practise4 ,before putting up the pupil1 it is well to teach the horse the work he has got to do1 which should be performed1 if possible1 in an enclosure not less than #ag yards in diameter3 #bj yards would be a better size4 ,the track should be soft4 ,a thick1 smooth snaffle having been put on1 the leather reins are taken off1 and others 7the best are of circular or pipe webbing1 #a-a_/b inches broad7 about #bb feet long are substituted4 ,if circular webbing cannot be obtained1 ropes or ordinary leather reins1 if of the proper length1 will do4 ,the animal is made to circle round the driver by the outward rein 7the left rein if he is going to the right7 passing round his quarters1 while the inward rein 7the right in this case7 leads him off and bends him in the direction he has to go 7,fig4 #aje74 ,the horse should be made to circle in a thoroughly well-balanced manner1 so that the circle described by his fore feet will be the same as that made by his hind feet1 and he should be taught to turn smoothly and collectedly4 ,the driver should stand partly to one side of the horse and partly behind him1 as in ,fig4 #aje1 but should on no account keep following the animal2 for1 if he does so1 he will throw too much of his weight on the reins4 ,this should1 of course1 be avoided2 for the lighter the feeling on the reins1 the better1 so long as the horse goes up to his bridle4 ,the pressure of the outward rein should act like that of the outward leg of a man who is riding a horse on a circle1 in keeping his hind quarters supported2 so that the circle described by the hind feet may not be greater than that made by the fore feet4 ,in order to give adequate command over the horse1 a standing martingale1 put at a proper length1 will be required for this driving on foot4 ,this method of mouthing horses is fully described in my husband's ,illustrated ,horse ,breaking4 ,when the horse circles and turns equally well on both reins and jumps cleverly1 the beginner may be put on the saddle without giving her any reins to hold4 ,in order to keep her hands down and occupied1 she may hold a whip or stick in both hands resting on her lap1 as shown in the illustration1 or she may fold her arms in front of her4 ,whatever may be the pace1 if the pupil begins to lose her balance1 to be frightened1 to sit awkwardly1 or to become tired1 the driver should at once halt the horse and should try to rectify matters as far as possible4 ,illustration3 ,fig4 #aje4--;,driving horse over jumps4 ,the lesson should be commenced by the driver starting the horse into a steady walk1 on a circle to the right1 as that will be easier than going to the left4 ,after a few circles1 and when the rider has acquired some confidence1 the driver may give her the caution that he is going to turn the horse1 which he does by turning him to the left-about by means of the left rein1 while supporting the hind quarters by the right rein4 ,after the required number of circles has been made to the left1 the caution may be repeated1 and a right-about turn done4 ,when the pupil has become sufficiently advanced1 a steady trot on the right circle may be attempted2 the turns being executed as before4 ,subsequently1 a canter may be tried4 ,as the rider gains expertness1 the turns may be made without giving any caution1 and the sharpness with which they are done may be gradually increased4 ,when the rider has acquired a good firm seat1 she may get a jumping lesson4 ,the best kind of fence is a round thick 7at least #f inches in diameter7 log of wood4 ,it should be of good substance and weight1 so that1 if the horse hits it once1 he will not care to repeat the experiment4 ,it should be free from any sharp points or edges that might blemish the animal1 if he raps it4 ,this log should be at least #ae feet long1 should have one end a little outside the circumference of the circle on which the animal works1 and the other end pointing towards the centre of the circle4 ,the log1 at each extremity1 may be propped up on empty wine or beer cases 7,fig4 #aje74 ,no wing or upright pole which might catch in the reins should be placed at the inner end of the log4 ,if a log such as ,i have described be not procurable1 a hurdle or gate might be employed4 ,it is well to begin this lesson by placing the log on the ground1 and first walking the horse1 who carries his rider1 over the log1 which might then be raised #e or #f inches4 ,the bar need not be put up higher than #c feet4 ,the whole of this jumping practice should at first be given while circling to the right4 ,as the capabilities of all are not alike1 the teacher1 who ought also to be the driver1 should exercise his judgment in apportioning the work done4 ,as a rough approximation1 ,i should say that an apt pupil who had never been previously on a horse1 ought to do in fairly good style1 after a dozen lessons1 all ,i have described4 ,these lessons1 which had best be given daily1 ought not to exceed half an hour in duration4 ,great care should be taken that the rider gets neither fatigued nor rubbed4 ,as a rule1 a man will be required to drive the horse on foot with the long reins2 for few women would be able to do this work1 and teach at the same time4 ,if the instructor be a lady1 she might get an experienced man to drive for her1 while she gives the cautions and orders4 ,while receiving her first lesson in riding without reins1 the pupil should try to keep her seat by the combined help of balance and grip1 and should not attempt to hold on to the saddle with her hands1 which1 subsequently1 will be required solely for the manipulation of the reins and whip4 ,as a rider can manage a horse in a moment of danger twice as well with two hands as with one1 it is impossible for her to become a fine horsewoman if she acquires the fatal habit of clutching hold of the saddle1 which she inevitably will do the instant she feels insecure in her seat1 or becomes nervous1 if she be that way afflicted4 ,to guard against this evil1 the learner should be taught to ride in a modern ,english saddle1 which1 as we all know1 has got no off pommel4 ,by allowing her body to be perfectly lissom from the waist upward1 she will be able to conform to the movements of the horse1 and will not feel herself violently jerked from side to side by any quick turn or untoward movement he may make4 ,if she stiffens her body and assumes an awkward position in her saddle1 she will find herself1 on the animal being sharply turned1 unable to retain her seat with ease4 ,as it is difficult1 even for an accomplished horsewoman who is not accustomed to riding without reins1 to do this when mounted on a light-mouthed horse1 and without a signal from the driver of his intention to turn sharply in the trot or canter to right or left as the case may be2 the pupil1 until she has acquired the knack of conforming to every movement of the animal1 should receive due warning from the driver4 ,when he signifies his intention to turn the horse1 she should grip the crutches with her legs1 and incline her body in the direction to be taken by her mount4 ,by watching the animal's ears1 she will soon learn to become independent of the driver's signal4 ,she will find1 until she has acquired practice in riding without reins1 that it is far more difficult to retain her balance in the saddle during these turns1 than in riding over a fence2 for when an obstacle has to be negotiated1 she is made aware beforehand of the intended movements1 but in turning without a signal she has not that advantage4 ,if the lessons are given1 first at a walk1 and the pace gradually increased according as she becomes secure in her saddle1 she will soon acquire a good firm seat1 and will have no tendency to be displaced by her horse shying with her1 or by making a sudden plunge to right or left4 ,i have described in ,chapter ,,viii4 how a lady should sit in her saddle1 so ,i need not repeat these directions4 ,while being driven with the long reins1 the rider should endeavour to sit as upright as she can1 without any stiffness1 and leaning neither to the front nor back1 except when rising at the trot1 when the body should be inclined a little forward1 so as to make the movement smooth4 ,the walk requires no special mention4 ,at the trot1 before she has learned when and how to rise in her stirrup1 it is best for her not to make any attempt to do so1 but to let herself be bumped up and down until she feels that1 although the movement may be unpleasant1 it does not render her seat insecure4 ,while doing this1 she should be careful not to put any weight on the stirrup4 ,after she has thus learned to trot without rising1 she should try to feel her stirrup just before her body is bumped upward by the horse1 and she will soon become able to time her movements1 so as to rise in her stirrup with grace and ease4 ,to do this1 her effort should be strictly confined to aiding the upward lift which the horse gives to her body1 and should be free from any jerk or wriggle4 ,she should have her weight well on her right leg1 and should keep her stirrup in one unaltered position 7p4 #aib74 ,the ankle acts here as a spring to take away any jerk that might occur during the movement4 ,the stirrup1 as ,i have said on page #aib1 should be at the ball of the foot1 and the left knee should be kept steady and close against the flap of the saddle4 ,if the horse1 during the trot1 suddenly breaks off into a canter1 the rider should sit down in her saddle1 and be ready to grip her crutches with both legs1 if necessary4 ,when cantering1 the lady should try as much as possible to ride by balance and not by gripping her crutches tightly the whole time4 ,she will thus be able to sit in a nice1 easy position1 and will be ready to grip the moment she requires to do so1 as when turning1 or if she feels she is losing her balance4 ,whenever the pupil gets displaced in her saddle or frightened1 the horse should at once be pulled up2 for the lesson will be of no use to her1 if she feels forced to adopt a stiff1 awkward position in her saddle for the sake of safety4 ,it is well to know that an almost infallible sign of a rider being frightened of her horse is a tendency to unduly bend or crane forward4 ,hence1 the instant this sign becomes apparent either to learner or teacher1 the lesson should be discontinued1 or the pace1 if that was the cause of the nervousness1 should be decreased as might be required4 ,this funky seat on horseback looks bad1 is particularly unsafe1 and is hard to correct when once acquired4 ,in riding up to a fence the lady should in no way alter her position1 but should merely grip the crutches firmly1 while keeping her body perfectly lissom1 with her head and shoulders slightly back4 ,many persons have a notion that the proper way to sit over all jumps is to bend forward when the animal is rising1 and to lean back when he is descending4 ,this is quite wrong2 for1 as the horse1 before propelling himself forward and upward by his hind legs1 has to raise his forehand off the ground by the straightening out of one or both of his fore legs1 it is evident that it would be inadvisable to put any additional weight1 at that moment1 on the forehand4 ,as most persons have a natural tendency to bend forward too much when going at a fence1 ,i have advised the rider to bring her head and shoulders a little back1 just sufficient to correct such a tendency4 ,when a horse is in the act of taking off at a standing jump1 the rider should lean forward1 and bring her head and shoulders back1 when he is landing4 ,it is always sound practice to lean well back when landing over a fence1 so as to take the weight off the horse's fore legs as much as possible4 ,an experienced rider solves all these problems automatically4 ,the fact of a side saddle giving the very strong grip it does1 induces many ladies who find they can sit over a fence without falling off1 to become so well satisfied with their own riding1 that they neglect to acquire a good seat over a country4 ,their slipshod style is neither graceful1 nor does it enable them to give their horse any assistance1 if he happens to make a mistake2 for they are certain to tumble off1 if they receive any unusual provocation4 ,the hold the lady has on the crutches should prevent her falling1 if the animal stops dead when coming up to a fence4 ,a lady who has acquired a good firm seat ought never to be displaced from her saddle while her mount remains on his legs4 ,though progress in the art of riding without reins must of necessity be slow and somewhat tedious at first1 still1 ,i would strongly recommend all ladies who are able to do so to practise this method1 for they will find it the best and most rapid by which they can acquire a good and firm seat on horseback4 ,the great difficulty in this work is to find a man who can use the long reins and manage a horse with correctness and precision in the various paces1 and in jumping4 ,it would be most dangerous for a lady to allow herself to be driven by the long reins by any man who was not a thorough master of this difficult art of horse guidance and control4 ,even with such a man1 the horse to be ridden and jumped without reins should be previously trained for this work1 and should be taught to stop dead the instant he receives the word of command4 ,as a lady who is inexperienced in this kind of riding1 may get a toss when being turned1 especially if she tries to hook back her right leg1 it is obvious that the falling should be soft and that the pupil be supplied with a safety bar and a safety skirt4 ,it will be seen by the extract from the ,queen1 page #fj1 that even small girls who were taught to sit their horses in the manner that ,i have described in this book1 were able to ride well over fences without reins after two lessons4 ,,chapter ,,xiv4 ,,nerve4 ,no lady can enjoy riding1 or become proficient in that art1 unless she has good nerve4 ,luckily1 the large majority of girls who learn to ride possess abundance of nerve and pluck1 an excess of which is often a danger to safety in the hunting field4 ,it may be noticed1 however1 that the finest horsewomen do not make any showy display of their prowess1 for they ride to hunt1 and do not hunt to ride4 ,pluck is an admirable quality as far as it goes1 but it must be supported by nerve4 ,it is the custom to laugh at people who are suffering from temporary loss of nerve1 but it is heartless to do so1 as we have all1 ,i believe1 felt1 more or less1 what ,jorrocks would term1 kivered all over with the creeps1 at some period or other of our lives4 ,bad horses and bad falls are apt to ruin the strongest nerve1 and there must be a cause to produce an effect4 ,for instance1 ,i never feared a thunderstorm until our house was struck by lightning2 but now1 when a storm comes1 ,i feel like the ,colonel to whom a ,major said on the field of ,prestonpans3 ,you shiver1 ,colonel1 you are afraid4 ,i am afraid1 ,sir1 replied the ,colonel1 and if you were as much afraid as ,i am1 you would run away6 ,it may1 however1 be consoling to ladies who are battling against loss of nerve1 to hear that ,i have known brilliant horsemen lose their nerve so utterly that they were unable to take their horses out of a walk4 ,with quiet practice their good nerve returned again1 and they have ridden as well as ever4 ,nerve in riding is recoverable by practice on a very confidential horse4 ,some men give their wives or daughters horses which are unsuitable for them1 and which they are unable to manage4 ,is it any wonder that such ladies have their nerve entirely shattered in their efforts to control half-broken1 violent brutes of horses8 ,it is customary to blame ladies who are unable to control their horses in the hunting field2 but the men who supply them with such animals are1 in many cases1 the more deserving of censure4 ,there are men1 not many1 ,i hope1 who consider it unnecessary for their womenkind to learn to ride before they hunt2 but no one has a right to thus endanger the lives of others4 ,such ladies possess plenty of pluck1 but not the necessary knowledge to guide their valour to act in safety4 ,a ,master of hounds told me that his nerve was so bad that he positively prayed for frost6 ,at the end of one season he gave up the hounds2 but he is again hunting them1 so his nerve must have become strong4 ,mr4 ,scarth ,dixon1 writing on this subject1 says3 ,it is a curious quality1 that of nerve4 ,a man's nerve1 by which ,i mean his riding nerve1 will go from him in a day2 it will sometimes1 but not frequently1 come back to him as suddenly as it departed4 ,everyone who has hunted for any length of time and kept his eyes open must be able to call to mind many a man who has commenced his hunting career with apparent enthusiasm1 who has gone1 like the proverbial 'blazes1' for two or three seasons1 taking croppers as all in a day's work1 and then all at once has given up hunting altogether because his nerve has gone4 ,he has1 perhaps1 tried to 'go' for a season1 enduring unknown tortures in the attempt1 and then he has given up altogether4 ,he has never joined the skirting brigade1 not1 perhaps1 as some would suggest1 because he was too proud to do so after having once been a first-flight man1 but because he did not care sufficiently for hunting4 ,this writer knew a man who gave up riding to hounds because he had lost his nerve1 and yet he continued to ride in steeplechases1 which may be explained by the fact that the rider on a flagged course knows what is in front of him1 and has little or nothing to fear from bad ground4 ,mr4 ,otho ,paget considers that a failing nerve may be always traced to the stomach1 and recommends moderation in eating1 drinking1 and smoking4 ,frank ,beers1 the famous huntsman of the ,grafton1 had his hunting career closed by a severe illness1 which apparently deprived him of all his former dash4 ,mr4 ,elliot says3 ,at the commencement of the season 7#ahij-ia7 an attempt was made by the poor man to resume his duties1 but one hour's trial proved to ,mr4 ,robarts and those present that all hope had vanished1 and the above-named gentleman1 being in charge during ,lord ,penrhyn's absence1 sent the hounds home4 ,huntsmen1 like other riding men1 generally lose some of their nerve after forty4 ,mr4 ,otho ,paget tells us that the late ,tom ,firr was the only huntsman he ever knew who retained his riding nerve to the end4 ,he was riding brilliantly at fifty-eight1 in his last season with the ,quorn1 when he met with an accident which compelled him to resign his post4 ,with ,lord ,lonsdale as ,master1 and ,tom ,firr as huntsman1 the ,quorn possessed two of the most perfect horsemen who ever crossed ,leicestershire4 ,i think the best treatment for a lady suffering from loss of nerve is1 first of all1 to attend to her health1 which will probably be out of order2 then get a steady horse or pony and ride him quietly for a time1 and the chances are that the good nerve will all come back again4 ,it grieves people who have been unable1 from various causes1 to keep up their riding practice1 to think that they have lost their nerve1 and they brood over it until they often imagine they are past hope of recovery1 but that is a great mistake4 ,this feeling can be struggled against1 and1 in most cases1 conquered1 by quiet measures4 ,nothing but the most confidential animal will help to do it1 so ,i would warn my riding brethren not to make matters worse for their womenkind by providing any other kind of mount4 ,,chapter ,,xv4 ,,fences1 ,,country ,,and ,,gates4 ,from a hunting point of view1 the chief value of fences lies in the fact that they retard the hounds more than the horses1 and help the foxes to save their brushes4 ,on arable land1 fences as a rule are used merely as boundaries2 but on grazing land1 they are needed to prevent stock from roving beyond their assigned limits4 ,hence1 in a grass country1 the obstacles are generally much more difficult to negotiate than on tilled ground4 ,also1 the nature of grazing stock demands variation in the stiffness and height of the fences1 which1 in the ,midlands1 have to restrain the migratory propensities of frisky young bullocks2 but in dairy-farming counties like ,cheshire1 much smaller and weaker ones amply serve their purpose in acting as barriers to placid bovine matrons4 ,farmers in the ,shires have found that hawthorn hedges make the most serviceable fences under old time regulations4 ,when these hedges are allowed to grow in a natural manner1 they take the form of a bullfinch 7,fig4 #ij71 which1 though impossible at many places1 often leaves a gap at others4 ,consequently1 bullfinches are gradually going out of fashion in the ,shires1 and are generally converted into cut-and-laid fences1 of which there is an example in ,fig4 #ajf4 ,this alteration is usually made in winter1 and is effected by cutting with a bill-hook about half way through the small trunks of the hawthorn shrubs1 turning them to the left1 and interlacing their tops and their branches1 as we may see in ,fig4 #ajg1 which shows us the appearance ,fig4 #ajf presented during its construction4 ,a cut-and-laid is usually about #c feet #i inches high1 and is the wrong kind of obstacle to chance1 because it is very stiff4 ,some hunting people who know very little about country life1 call a cut-and-laid fence a stake-and-bound fence1 which 7,fig4 #ajh7 is an artificial barrier made by putting a row of stakes in the ground and twisting brushwood between them4 ,stake-and-bound fences are common in ,kent1 and are not nearly so dangerous to chance as a cut-and-laid1 because the ends of their stakes are only stuck in the ground4 ,the practice of cutting and laying hedges is so general in the ,midlands1 that we rarely see a bullfinch which does not show signs of having been tampered with in this manner4 ,even the height to which the hawthorn bushes in ,fig4 #ij have attained1 does not entirely conceal the traces left by the bill-hook1 some years before this photograph was taken4 ,posts and rails are often used in the ,shires to strengthen decrepit fences 7,fig4 #aji71 and to take their place when no hawthorn bushes are present 7,fig4 #aaj74 ,their difficulty of negotiation is naturally increased by the presence of a ditch on the taking off or landing side1 as in ,fig4 #aaa4 ,as a rule1 they are about #c feet #f inches high4 ,a not uncommon form of posts and rails is a ,midland stile 7,fig4 #aab74 ,a familiar combination of a hedge and posts and rails is an oxer 7,fig4 #aac74 ,the gap in this illustration has been repaired by wire1 and ,i am much indebted to the ox who kindly allowed us to take his portrait1 as well as the fence which owes its name to his family4 ,although the ,whissendine is a prominent feature of the ,cottesmore country near ,stapleford ,park1 ,i need not dwell upon brooks as a form of hunting obstacle in the ,shires1 for they are seldom jumped2 not from faintheartedness on the part of riders1 but because the ground on the taking-off or landing side is often treacherous1 and the presence of posts and rails or wire on one or both of the banks is a frequent occurrence4 ,also1 the width of these brooks and bottoms varies greatly according to the amount of rainfall4 ,people whose experience of leaping is limited to that of fences on firm and level ground1 like those in a jumping competition1 are naturally apt to overlook the severe manner in which a hunter is handicapped when coming up to an unknown fence1 after a long and fast run through heavy1 rough and hilly ground4 ,illustration3 ,fig4 #ajf4--;,a cut-and-laid fence4 ,illustration3 ,fig4 #ajg4--;,a cut-and-laid fence during construction4 ,illustration3 ,fig4 #ajh4--;,a stake and bound fence4 ,illustration3 ,fig4 #aji4--,post and rails to close gap in hedge4 ,illustration3 ,fig4 #aaj4--,posts and rails4 ,illustration3 ,fig4 #aaa4--,posts and rails with ditch4 ,illustration3 ,fig4 #aab4--,midland stile4 ,illustration3 ,fig4 #aac4--;,an oxer4 ,illustration3 ,fig4 #aad4--,wire in front of bullfinch4 ,wire 7,fig4 #aad7 is terribly common in some parts of the ,shires1 and often makes any attempt to ride straight impossible4 ,in countries where it is prevalent1 speed is a much more valuable attribute of a hunter than cleverness in jumping1 because the main object of the rider will then be1 as a rule1 to get over fields and through gates with a minimum of lepping4 ,some of our ,colonial sisters might taunt us for not trying to leap wire in the brave manner done by ,miss ,harding 7,fig4 #ajb7 and other ,new ,zealand and ,australian horsewomen1 but their conditions of country are entirely different from ours4 ,in the ,shires1 for instance1 wire1 as a great rule1 is visible only from one side of the fence which it contaminates1 and often takes the form of a concealed trap4 ,hence it is carefully avoided both by horses at grass and by riders4 ,my husband tells me that banks1 stone walls and stone gaps are the chief fences in ,ireland2 that hedges are seldom encountered1 except in the form of furze on the top of banks2 and that he has rarely seen posts and rails in his native land4 ,while enjoying a very pleasant visit last winter with ,mr4 ,arthur ,pollok1 the ,master of the ,east ,galway ,hounds1 he took the photographs of ,figs4 #aae to #abj4 ,fig4 #aae shows a broad bank about #d feet high1 with a deep ditch on each side1 and a tall man standing on the top of it1 so as to give an idea of its dimensions4 ,fig4 #aaf is a side view of ,fig4 #aae4 ,in ,fig4 #aag1 ,mr4 ,pollok1 who is also tall1 is standing beside a higher and more upright bank which has the usual accompaniment of broad ditches4 ,in ,fig4 #aah1 the very popular ,master of the ,east ,galway is close to a typical ,galway stone wall of the cope and dash order and close on #e feet in height4 ,this formidable obstacle derives its name from the fact that the stones on its top are firmly cemented together by a dash of mortar4 ,the ,masters1 hunting men1 hunting ladies1 and horses of the ,east ,galway and ,blazers think nothing of throwing a lep over a cope and dash of this kind4 ,ordinary second flighters in the ,shires would probably prefer the ,galway loose stone wall depicted in ,fig4 #aai or the small bank shown in ,fig4 #abj4 ,he also tells me that although there is wire in ,east ,galway1 it is used only for fencing-in large spaces of ground1 and as it stands out alone by itself1 it is no source of danger to horse or rider4 ,my husband returned to ,crick delighted with the people in ,county ,galway1 especially because1 when he went out hunting1 almost everyone of the small field1 both ladies and men1 seeing that he was a stranger1 were glad to meet him1 and went up and spoke to him in a very friendly manner4 ,over there1 hunting is evidently a sport1 and not a social function4 ,fig4 #aba1 which was very kindly taken from the top of ,yelvertoft ,church for this book by the ,rector of that nice parish1 gives a good idea of the country over which we hunt in ,northamptonshire4 ,in that county1 the grass fields are smaller and the country more wooded than in ,leicestershire1 which has the inestimable advantage of possessing so many bridle paths1 that people who hunt in it have very little road tramping to do4 ,even that trying infliction is mitigated to some extent in most parts of the ,shires1 by the presence of grass on the sides of country roads1 as in ,fig4 #abb4 ,illustration3 ,fig4 #aae4--;,galway bank4 ,illustration3 ,fig4 #aaf4--,side view of bank shown in ,fig4 #aae4 ,illustration3 ,fig4 #aag4--;,galway bank4 ,illustration3 ,fig4 #aah4--;,cope and dash wall4 ,illustration3 ,fig4 #aai4--,loose stone wall4 ,illustration3 ,fig4 #abj4--,low bank with ditch on both sides4 ,illustration3 ,photo4 by ,,rev4 ,r4 ,j4 ,,gornall4 ,fig4 #aba4--,view of country between ,yelvertoft and ,crick4 ,illustration3 ,fig4 #abb4--;,grass on each side of the road4 ,when hunting in ,england1 gates are hardly ever jumped1 for two very good reasons4 ,first1 because it would take a ,manifesto or a ,cloister to negotiate a series of them safely during a long run2 and second1 because the habit of leaping gates would be almost certain to unfit a horse for the task of steadily going through the various phases of opening and shutting these means of ingress and egress4 ,besides1 gates are often in such positions1 as regards taking off and landing1 that it would be impossible to fly them safely1 even if the way were clear of hunting companions1 which is seldom the case in large fields4 ,every horsewoman should remember that nothing is more apt to spoil a horse than allowing a brace of alternative ideas to occupy his mind at the same time4 ,hence1 when a hunter sees a gate during a run1 his thoughts should be solely occupied in doing his best to aid his rider to open1 get through and shut it1 or hold it open1 if necessary4 ,gates1 as a rule1 may be divided into five-barred gates 7,fig4 #abc7 and bridle gates 7,fig4 #abd74 ,variety in gates is chiefly limited to their form of fastening1 which is generally on the left-hand side of the rider when the gate opens towards her 7,figs4 #abe1 #abf and #abg72 and on her right-hand side1 when it opens away from her 7,fig4 #abi74 ,in ,fig4 #abe1 we see the old-fashioned wooden latch4 ,in ,fig4 #abf1 the spring latch has to be pulled towards the hinges of the gate2 and in ,fig4 #abg1 away from them4 ,in the double gate shown in ,fig4 #abh1 the upper fastening consists of a moveable ,d2 the lower one being a very common supplementary latch1 which in ,fig4 #abi1 is cunningly secured by a curved piece of iron that renders the gate impossible to be opened1 except by a person on foot4 ,another form of craft that we sometimes encounter1 is an arrangement by which the gate hangs so heavily on its latch1 that the would-be passer-through has to lift up the gate before he or she can open it1 and often at an expenditure of strength of which many women are incapable4 ,to perform this feat1 a rider would of course have to dismount1 which would be very awkward1 if a lady was by herself4 ,i have met gates of this annoying description on bridle paths on which the public have a right-of-way4 ,illustration3 ,fig4 #abc4--,ordinary five-barred gate4 ,illustration3 ,fig4 #abd4--;,bridle gate4 ,illustration3 ,fig4 #abe4--;,gate with wooden latch4 ,illustration3 ,fig4 #abf4--;,gate with spring latch which has to be drawn back4 ,illustration3 ,fig4 #abg4--;,gate with spring latch which has to be pushed forward4 ,illustration3 ,fig4 #abh4--;,double gate4 ,illustration3 ,fig4 #abi4--;,a puzzle in gate-opening4 ,a gate is opened either with the hand or hunting crop1 the former being more efficient than the latter1 if the latch is within reach1 which would seldom be the case if the rider was on a tall horse4 ,when the fence at the side of the fastening of a gate is low enough to allow the rider to place her horse's head over it1 she usually can1 by doing so1 open the fastening by whip or hand1 draw the gate back or push it forward1 as the case may be1 and pass through4 ,if the hedge at the side of the fastening is too high for this to be done1 she will have to place herself alongside the gate1 with the horse's tail towards the hinges1 and then open the latch1 by means of the hand 7with or without a whip7 which is next to the latch4 ,if the gate opens away from her1 she may have to push it forward by hand or crop1 unless she is on a well instructed animal1 who will be always ready to save her this trouble1 by pushing the gate open with his breast4 ,if the gate opens towards her1 the horse should be so trained1 that when she has undone the latch1 and has begun to draw the gate towards her1 he will turn his hind quarters round 7make a pirouette renversee1 as the ,french call it71 move his fore quarters a little to one side1 so as to get them clear of the gate1 and pass through1 the moment he sees that his rider has opened the gate sufficiently for him to perform that final manoeuvre4 ,for instance1 if a mounted lady wants to get through the gate shown in ,fig4 #abf1 she should pull back the latch with her right hand 7with or without a whip71 and on drawing the gate towards her1 the horse should bring his hind quarters round to the left2 move his fore legs a little to the left2 and1 if need be1 rein back a step or two1 so as to be in the proper position to move forward1 as soon as he has plenty of room to do so4 ,as a lady has not a leg on each side of her mount1 to enable her to turn his hind quarters to whichever side she likes1 she will have far more difficulty than a man in teaching a horse these very useful movements4 ,at the same time1 when a horse is anxious to get through a closed gateway1 as he will generally be when his head is turned towards his stable1 he will very quickly learn how to ably assist his rider in this process4 ,,chapter ,,xvi4 ,,hunting4 ,when ladies began to hunt--,hunt subscriptions--,in the field-- ,cub-hunting--,blood--,coming home--,rider's ,physical ,condition--,tips and thanks--,the ,horn--,hirelings--,farmers and ,wire--,pilots-- ,propriety--,falls4 ,,when ,,ladies ,,began ,,to ,,hunt4 ,although the hunting field is nowadays graced by the presence of many good horsewomen who ride well to hounds and are capable of taking care of themselves and their mounts1 it is only within about the last seventy years that ladies have ridden across country4 ,mr4 ,elliott in his book ,fifty years of ,fox-hunting tells us that in #ahch ,mrs4 ,lorraine ,smith and her two daughters1 with ,miss ,stone from ,blisworth1 were the only ladies who hunted then4 ,the ,misses ,lorraine ,smith rode in scarlet bodices and grey skirts4 ,the improved side-saddle was not then invented to enable a lady to ride over fences4 ,we learn from the same writer that in #ahda a lady named ,miss ,nellie ,holmes was out1 topping the fences like a bird to the admiration of all2 and when she came to the brook1 over she went4444 ,that was the first lady whom ,i saw go over a country4 ,there is one certainty about ladies1 what one does another will do1 if it be worth the doing4 ,very soon others were at the game1 and many have played it well since4 ,in a pleasant little book entitled ,the ,young ,ladies' ,equestrian ,manual1 written by a lady and published in #ahch1 we read1 ,no lady of taste ever gallops on the road4 ,into this pace the lady's horse is never urged1 or permitted to break1 except in the field2 and not above one among a thousand of our fair readers1 it may be surmised1 is likely to be endowed with sufficient ambition and boldness1 to attempt the following of hounds4 ,the saddle given in a drawing in this book has no leaping head1 but the writer mentions1 as ,i have previously noted1 that movable crutches were being introduced to enable a lady to ride on either side of her horse4 ,the leaping head 7p4 #cc71 third crutch1 or third pommel1 as it was first called in ,england1 came into use in this country in the forties1 and with its aid ladies felt themselves endowed with sufficient ambition and boldness to follow hounds4 ,captain ,elmhirst1 writing in #ahgg1 says3 ,it will1 ,i think1 be admitted by everyone that the number of ladies who hunt now is at least tenfold as compared with a dozen years ago1 and every year since that was written1 has seen a steady increase in the ranks of hunting women4 ,,hunt ,,subscriptions4 ,perhaps it may not be out of place to say something about what a lady should do if she desires to join a hunt and has no menkind to arrange such business matters for her4 ,every woman who hunts should 7and usually does1 ,i believe17 contribute her share of payment towards the sport in which she participates4 ,if a lady is well off1 and intends to hunt regularly1 she would probably not give less than ,l#be2 but the ,quorn and some other fashionable hunts lay down no hard and fast rule concerning the amount to be subscribed1 which varies according to individual circumstances4 ,the minimum subscription to the ,pytchley is ,l#be for a man and ,l#aj for a lady4 ,lord ,north1 who is ,chairman of the ,committee of the ,warwickshire ,hunt1 states 7,the ,field1 #bjth ,december1 #aijb71 in a very generous manner1 that fox-hunting must never be allowed to become the sport of the rich alone4 ,it is a national sport1 and must be open to all--to rich and poor alike4 ,there is1 however1 a recognised sum which qualifies the donor for hunt membership2 for instance3 the ,craven minimum subscription1 with membership1 is ,l#aj2 the ,crawley and ,horsham1 #ae guineas2 while subscribers of ,l#be to the ,meynell hunt are privileged to wear the hunt button4 ,in several hunts--,lord ,fitzwilliam's1 ,mr4 ,bathurst's1 the ,belvoir1 when hunted by the ,duke of ,rutland1 and others--the ,master hunts the country at his own expense1 subscriptions being accepted only for ,covert1 ,wire1 ,poultry1 or ,damage ,funds1 as the case may be4 ,the ,vale of ,white ,horse 7,cirencester7 requires a subscription from ladies of ,l#e per day1 per week4 ,strangers who hunt occasionally with a subscription pack where capping is not practised1 are expected to contribute towards the ,poultry or ,damage ,fund4 ,in some hunts a cap is taken from non-subscribers1 from whom a certain fixed sum is expected2 the ,essex and ,suffolk requires five shillings a day1 the ,burstow a sovereign1 and the ,pytchley and ,warwickshire two pounds4 ,the usual field money in ,ireland is half-a-crown4 ,the ,blackmore ,vale1 although a subscription pack1 does not fix any sum1 but sensibly expects people to subscribe according to the number of horses they keep1 and the amount of hunting they do4 ,an old and sound rule is ,l#e for each horse4 ,as subscriptions vary in different hunts1 the best plan for a lady who has to arrange her own business matters1 is to write to the secretary of the hunt which she desires to join1 and obtain from him the required information4 ,she will find ,bailey's ,hunting ,directory a most useful book of reference4 ,,in ,,the ,,field4 ,under this heading1 ,i shall try to give practical advice to those who are commencing their hunting career1 and explain several things that ,i would have liked to have known myself when ,i first rode to hounds4 ,as we may learn something from the failings of others before entering the expensive school of experience1 it would be wise1 before we hunt1 to study certain complaints which experienced hunting men have published anent our sisters in the field4 ,mr4 ,otho ,paget says3 ,i am not one of those who think that women are in the way out hunting1 and in my experience ,i have always considered they do much less harm than the men1 but the time when they do sin is at a check4 ,they not only talk themselves1 but they encourage men to talk as well1 and ,i have repeatedly seen a woman lead a whole field over ground where the pack intended to cast themselves4 ,the woman1 instead of attending to what hounds are doing1 enters into a conversation with a man and together they talk on without paying heed to the damage they may do4 ,my dear sisters1 forgive me for calling you to order1 but if you would only keep silent when hounds are at fault1 and stand quite still1 you perhaps might shame your admirers into better behaviour1 and thereby be the means of furthering the interests of sport4 ,this rebuke means that when a gallop is suddenly stopped by hounds losing the scent of their fox and being obliged to puzzle out the line1 the ladies of the hunt should remain silent1 should pull up and not impede the huntsman who will do his best to aid his hounds in recovering the lost scent4 ,mr4 ,paget's remark about the lady who led the field over ground where the pack intended to cast themselves1 means that the hounds were trying to recover the lost scent without the assistance of the huntsman1 but their efforts had been spoiled by the people who rode over the ground and thus foiled the line4 ,it is obvious that to spoil the sport of others in this negligent manner is to cover ourselves with humiliation1 and other unbecoming wraps4 ,it must be remembered that hunting1 unlike other forms of sport1 has no written rules of its own for the guidance of the uninitiated4 ,every indulgence should therefore be shown to the hunting tyro who innocently commits errors2 for in nine cases out of ten it is probable she does so1 from ignorance of the unwritten laws which govern the conduct of the experienced hunting man and woman4 ,on this subject ,mr4 ,otho ,paget writes3 ,the lady novice comes in for her share of blame1 and though she may not get sworn at1 black looks will soon explain the situation4 ,for her ,i would also crave indulgence1 and if she becomes a regular offender1 you can ask her male friends to tell her in what way she is doing wrong4 ,in whatever way we may treat them1 there is no excuse for the novice1 male or female1 embarking on a hunting career1 without having ascertained the customs and observances which are considered necessary by those who have had considerable experience4444 ,anyone who comes out hunting without knowing the rules of the game1 is a constant source of danger to those who are near4 ,this is all very true of course2 but the aspiring ,diana may well ask what are these said rules1 and where can ,i obtain them8 ,i feel sure that all hunting novices would greatly appreciate and study an orthodox code of hunting laws1 as it would be far pleasanter for a lady to avoid mistakes by their guidance1 than to have her male friends to tell her in what way she is doing wrong1 possibly after she has received black looks from the whole of the field4 ,hunting is a science which has to be learnt1 and every game of science should have its published code of regulations1 or it cannot be played without grave blunders by those who have to pick it up at haphazard4 ,in justice to my sex it must be allowed that they do not holloa on viewing a fox1 a fault that is often committed by men1 especially in the ,provinces4 ,colonel ,alderson quoting from an old pamphlet on hunting which was reprinted in #ahhj by ,messrs4 ,william ,pollard and ,co41 ,exeter1 says3 ,gentlemen1 keep your mouths shut and your ears open4 ,the fox has broken cover1 you see him--gentlemen1 gentlemen1 do not roar out ',tally-ho'6 do not screech horribly4 ,if you do1 he will turn back1 even under your horses' feet1 in spite of the sad and disappointed look on your handsome or ugly faces4 ,do not crack your infernal whips1 be silent4 ,whyte ,melville says3 ,i do not say you are never to open your mouth1 but ,i think that if the inmates of our deaf and dumb asylums kept hounds1 these would show sport above the average and would seldom go home without blood4 ,noise is by no means a necessary concomitant of the chase1 and a hat held up1 or a quiet whisper to the huntsman1 is of more help to him than the loudest and clearest view holloa that ever wakened the dead1 'from the lungs of ,john ,peel in the morning4' ,as this chapter is written with the desire to help the inexperienced huntress1 she will1 ,i feel sure1 be grateful to the writers who have advised her what not to do1 so we will study the next complaint which comes from that experienced sportsman ,captain ,elmhirst1 who describes a hunting run better1 ,i think1 than any other writer on the subject4 ,he says3 ,when ladies cast in their lot with the rougher sex1 lay themselves out to share in all the dangers and discomforts incidental to the chase1 and even compete for honours in the school of fox-hunting1 they should in common fairness be prepared to accept their position on even terms1 nor neglect to render in some degree mutual the assistance so freely at their command1 and that men in a ,leicestershire field so punctiliously afford to each other4 ,the point on which they so prominently fail in this particular is1 to speak plainly1 their habitual1 neglect--or incapacity--at gateways4 ,given the rush and crush of three hundred people starting for a run and pressing eagerly through a single way of exit--to wit1 an ordinary gate swinging easily and lightly1 and requiring only that each passer through should by a touch hinder its closing after him or her4 ,of these three hundred1 in all probability thirty are ladies2 and ,i commit myself to the statement that not more than five of that number will do their share towards preserving the passage for those who follow them4 ,the bulk of them will vaguely wave what they1 forsooth1 term their hunting-whips towards the returning gate2 while others merely give their mounts a kick in the ribs and gallop onwards1 with no look behind at the mischief and mortification they have caused4 ,the gate slams1 the crowd press on to it1 a precious minute or two is lost and scores of people are robbed of their chance in the forthcoming gallop4 ,and yet these are our sisters whose arms and nerves are strong enough to steer an impetuous horse over a most difficult country and who turn away from nothing that we can dare to face4 ,the intense annoyance entailed by a gate being dropped into its intricate fastenings through want of ability or of consideration on the part of the fair ,amazon immediately preceding him1 has brought into the mouth of many a chivalrous sportsman a muttered anathema of the feminine taste for hunting that scarce any other provocation would have availed to rouse4 ,it is only quite of late that a certain number of ladies have supplied themselves with whips at all capable of supporting a gate2 and not many of these can use them even now4 ,i make bold to say that not only every lady who hunts should be armed with a sufficient hunting-crop 7with of course a lash to guard against its loss in a gateway71 but that no lady ought to deem herself qualified to take her place in the field until she has learned how to use it4 ,were such a rule adhered to1 we should hear none of the sweeping remarks indulged in by sufferers who have over and over again writhed under disappointments1 that if inflicted by our own sex1 would have quickly called forth direct charges of inconsiderateness and want of courtesy4 ,from this admonition the tyro may learn two things which will be of great service to her in hunting4 ,first1 the necessity of providing herself with a strong hunting crop1 which should be sufficiently long and stiff to stop a gate easily1 with a good handle to it capable of opening or stopping a gate1 and the orthodox thong and lash attached to prevent the whip from falling on the ground if she loses her hold of it at a gateway4 ,provided with this serviceable crop1 a lady1 before she appears in the hunting field1 should ride through as many different varieties of gates as she can find1 and should thoroughly master the art of opening and shutting them herself1 and of giving the necessary push with her crop as she passes through for the assistance of imaginary riders behind her4 ,in ,leicestershire there are so many bridle roads that a lady may obtain any amount of this practice when hacking4 ,it would be well for her to ride the horses on which she intends to hunt1 as she will be teaching them to go steadily through gates while she is perfecting herself in the art of opening and shutting them1 and her hunters will also learn the important accomplishment of being able to push a gate when it opens from her4 ,she should be careful to securely shut every gate through which she may pass1 because farm stock are apt to stray through gates which are left open and cause great inconvenience to their owners4 ,if a lady is the last to pass through a gate when hunting1 she should always remember to shut it4 ,men are often far greater culprits than women at gates1 apart from their holloaing propensities4 ,many men seem to regard the sport as provided for them alone1 and look upon my sex as being in the hunting field on sufferance4 ,most of us have met the entirely selfish male who gallops up to a gate1 rushes through it and lets it bang behind him1 well knowing that a lady is making for the same means of exit1 and is only a few lengths away4 ,considering that women pay for their hunting and are not on the free list1 it seems rather superfluous for men to assure them that they do not object to their presence in the hunting field1 an announcement which appears in print so often that it sounds like protesting too much4 ,we never hear of hunting women recording the fact that they do not object to the presence of men3 even ladies who carry the horn themselves are free from prejudice in this respect4 ,hunting men1 in assuring us of their distinguished toleration1 almost appear to copy each other in their charming manner of expressing that fact4 ,for instance1 ,whyte ,melville says3 ,far be it from me to assert that the field is no place for the fair2 on the contrary1 ,i hold that their presence adds in every respect to its charms4 ,then why does he suggest such a thing8 ,captain ,elmhirst assures us that he is one of those who1 far from cavilling selfishly at their presence1 heartily admit the advantages direct and indirect in their participating in a pursuit in which we men are too often charged with allowing ourselves to be entirely absorbed4 ,mr4 ,otho ,paget says3 ,i am not one of those who think that women are in the way out hunting1 and in my experience ,i have always considered they do much less harm than the men4 ,nice1 truthful man1 and great favourite as he deserves to be4 ,the celebrated ,beckford appropriately gives as a frontispiece1 in his ,thoughts on ,hunting1 a portrait of ,diana1 the goddess of hunting1 having her sandals girded on for the chase1 and explains the picture by saying3 ,you will rally me perhaps on the choice of my frontispiece2 but why should not hunting admit the patronage of a lady8 ,the ancients1 you know1 invoked ,diana at setting out on the chase1 and sacrificed to her at their return2 is not this enough to show the propriety of my choice8 ,how much nicer the ancients must have been than many moderns are6 ,they often provoke poor ,diana when setting out for the chase1 and sacrifice her to their bad tempers on their return6 ,according to ,jorrocks1 hunting men must be vainer than we are1 for we do not wear pink4 ,that great sportsman found that two-thirds of the men wot come out and subscribe1 wouldn't do so if they had to ride in black6 ,another admonition which should receive the serious attention of the hunting tyro comes from ,whyte ,melville1 who says3 ,now ,i hope ,i am not going to express a sentiment that will offend their prejudices and cause young women to consider me an old one1 but ,i do consider that in these days ladies who go out hunting ride a turn too hard4444 ,let the greatest care be taken in the selection of their horses2 let their saddles and bridles be fitted to such a nicety that sore backs and sore mouths are equally impossible1 and let trustworthy servants be told off to attend them during the day4 ,then1 with everything in their favour1 over a fair country fairly fenced1 why should they not ride on and take their pleasure8 ,but even if their souls disdain to follow a regular pilot 7and1 ,i may observe1 this office requires no little nerve1 as they are pretty quick on a leader when he gets down71 ,i would entreat them not to try 'cutting out the work1' as it is called1 but rather to wait and see at least one rider over a leap before they attempt it themselves4444 ,what said the wisest of kings concerning a fair woman without discretion8 ,we want no ,solomon to remind us that with her courage roused1 her ambition excited1 all the rivalry of her nature called into play1 she has nowhere more need of this judicious quality than in the hunting field4 ,possibly the writer was thinking of two rival ,dianas who ride to cut each other down1 and who are a nuisance and danger to the entire field4 ,one1 if not both of them1 has generally to be picked up as the result of this jealous riding4 ,illustration3 ,fig4 #acj4--,ridge and furrow4 ,as it is in ,leicestershire that many of our finest horsewomen may be seen1 ,i would strongly recommend the lady who has done some preliminary hunting with harriers1 can ride well1 and who is supplied with suitable hunters which she can thoroughly control1 to learn to hunt in that country4 ,she will there get the best possible instruction in hunt discipline and see the game correctly played1 which is far better for her than graduating in a country where people ride to holloas1 where the ,master is unable to control his field1 and where hounds are interfered with in their work by ignorant or careless sportsmen4 ,besides1 if she made her debut in a country which is badly hunted1 she would learn a great deal that she would have to unlearn1 if she should ever desire to hunt in ,leicestershire4 ,a ,leicestershire field may be divided into four classes3 the first flight people who show the way1 ride comparatively straight and require no lead2 the second flighters1 who use the first flighters as their skirmishers and follow them as straight as they can2 the third flighters 7to which class the hunting tyro ought to belong while getting to know the country71 who ride through gates and gaps and over small fences2 and the fourth flighters1 or macadamisers1 who1 like ,jorrocks1 are 'ard riders1 because they never leave the 'ard road4 ,the lady who is a capable horsewoman1 which ,i need hardly say she ought to be before she attempts to hunt in any country1 should1 if she wishes to ride in ,leicestershire1 get as much practice as possible over ridge and furrow 7,fig4 #acj71 in order that she may be able to gallop easily and comfortably over it when hunting2 for those who are unaccustomed to deep ridge and furrow are apt to tire themselves and their horses unnecessarily4 ,the lines of snow in ,fig4 #aca show the presence of ridge and furrow in the distance4 ,as it is requisite for a lady to know how to ride on the flat and over fences1 it is equally important that she should obtain all the practice she can in negotiating difficult ground1 so that the hunting field may have no unpleasant surprises in store for her4 ,a very steep incline will stop many people4 ,there is one in the ,north ,cheshire country1 near ,church ,minshull ,i think1 which is like riding down the side of a house to get to the valley below4 ,the passage from the high ground to the ,belvoir ,vale is also quite steep1 enough to give us pause4 ,the best and safest way to ride down such places is for the rider to lean back and take her horse very slowly and perfectly straight down the incline4 ,he should never be taken sideways2 because if he makes a mistake and his hind quarters are not under him1 he will be very liable to roll over on his rider4 ,if he is kept perfectly straight and misses his footing1 he will try to save himself by putting his weight on his hind quarters1 and will probably find himself sitting on his haunches until he recovers his balance4 ,the rider1 by leaning back1 removes weight from his forehand and is prepared for any mistake he may make4 ,she should remember to lower her head in passing under trees and not hurry her mount in the least1 even though she may see the whole field streaming away from her in the valley below4 ,in going up hill1 if the ascent be very steep1 the rider would do well to lean forward and catch hold of her horse's mane1 if he has one1 or of the breastplate1 so as to avoid letting her weight make the saddle slip1 and also to put her weight well forward and thus assist the horse4 ,she should let him take a zigzag course1 and should on no account interfere with his head by pulling on the reins4 ,we may notice that a waggoner with a heavy load always takes his horse in a zigzag direction up a steep hill1 as it is easier for the animal1 and allows him occasional intervals for rest1 if necessary4 ,we should ride slowly and save our mount as much as possible on such occasions4 ,illustration3 ,fig4 #aca4--,ridge and furrow in the distance4 ,when we go a-hunting we should not forget to provide ourselves with a pocket-handkerchief of a useful size2 for a dab of mud on the face is a common occurrence4 ,our noses and often our eyes require mopping on a cold day1 and as the small square of lace bedecked or embroidered cambric which usually does duty as a handkerchief1 is totally unable to meet the various calls made upon it1 it is ridiculously out of place4 ,if a watch is needed1 it is most conveniently carried in a leather wristlet made for the purpose1 as it can then be consulted at any moment1 by merely raising the hand1 without having to fumble for a watch-pocket4 ,i must not omit mention of the necessary flask and sandwich case1 which are generally given into the charge of the second horseman2 but if a one-horse lady goes home at the change of horses1 she will not require a snack4 ,as one of the first principles of hunting is to spare both ourselves and our horses any unnecessary fatigue1 a lady should1 if possible1 always drive to the meet1 or go by rail4 ,if she has to ride1 she should undertake no distance beyond ten miles4 ,i have ridden twelve1 but ,i think that is too far4 ,if she rides her hunter1 she should take him quietly1 alternating the pace between a walk and a slow canter on the soft side of the road1 the orthodox pace being six miles an hour4 ,she should trot as little as possible1 in order to avoid the risk of giving her mount a sore back2 for trotting1 if she rises in the saddle1 is the pace most likely to cause trouble in this respect4 ,on arriving at the meet1 she should never neglect the precaution of having her girths tightened as may be required1 for her horse will have thinned down somewhat from exercise1 and the girths will allow of another hole or two being taken up4 ,one of the most fruitful causes of sore back is occasioned by thoughtlessly hunting on a horse which is slackly girthed up1 as the friction of the saddle will soon irritate the back1 with the result1 generally1 of a swelling on the off side of the withers1 and on the off side of the back1 near the cantle4 ,i wish to draw particular attention to the necessity of tightening the girths of a side-saddle1 even when a horse has been led to a meet2 because ,i have found from long experience of riding young horses with tender backs1 as well as hunters in hard condition1 that1 given the most perfectly-fitting saddle1 trouble will arise sooner or later if this precaution is neglected4 ,some ladies are so careful about the fit of their saddles1 that they have a separate saddle for each of their hunters4 ,i know of a lady who has fourteen hunters so equipped4 ,when hounds move off to covert1 a lady should be sufficiently watchful to secure a good place in the procession1 as it sometimes happens that a field is kept waiting in a road or lane while a covert is being drawn1 and1 if she be at the tail end of it1 she will get a bad start4 ,in taking up her position she should1 of course1 be careful not to interfere with others4 ,mr4 ,otho ,paget gives the following good advice1 which we should all endeavour to follow3 ,when we go a-hunting1 ,i think we should forget all the petty squabbles with our neighbours1 and meet for the time on terms of cordiality4 ,anything approaching a quarrel will spoil the day's sport for you4 ,everyone should try to be genial and good-tempered1 so that1 even if there is only a moderate run1 you return home feeling happier for the exercise and the good fellowship4 ,there are many things to try one's temper in the hunting field1 when everybody is excited1 but one should control one's feelings and be invariably courteous in speech4 ,you should apologise1 even when you think you are in the right1 for the other man may be equally certain he is in the right1 and it would be difficult to say who was in the wrong4 ,at the same time1 when a man apologises and is evidently sorry1 you ought to accept his apologies in a kindly spirit1 even though he has jumped on the small of your back4 ,it is almost superfluous1 perhaps1 to tender advice of this kind to my gentle sex1 but still1 sometimes--very rarely1 of course--we find ourselves uttering impatient remarks in the excitement of the chase1 which we feel1 on mature reflection1 that we would have preferred to have left unsaid4 ,a lady will require to keep a very clear head when the fox breaks covert and the huntsman sounds the well-known ,gone away1 which is the signal to start4 ,in a field of three or four hundred horsemen and women all galloping off at once with a whiz like the sound of a flock of startled birds1 there must be neither hesitation nor recklessness on the part of the young ,diana1 who should ride with discretion and judgment in order to steer clear of danger1 especially at the first fence4 ,there are generally a few left on the wrong side of it1 and the chances are that there will not be so great a crowd at the next one4 ,at the start1 a judicious use of the curb will doubtless be necessary for keeping an excited hunter under control1 and allowing the rider in front plenty of room to jump and get clear away from his fence4 ,when horses have settled down to the required pace1 which will be regulated by the hounds and according to scent1 a lady should ride on the snaffle1 keep her hands in a steady fixed position1 as low down as comfortable1 and should maintain a good look out in front of her1 so that she may1 after jumping into one field1 see the shortest and best way into the next4 ,jorrocks speaks truly in saying to 'unt pleasantly two things are necessary--to know your 'oss and know your own mind4444 ,howsomever1 if you know your horse and can depend upon him1 so as to be sure he will carry you over whatever you put him at1 'ave a good understanding with yourself before you ever come to a leap1 whether you intend to go over it or not1 for nothing looks so pusillanimous as to see a chap ride bang at a fence as though he would eat it1 and then swerve off for a gate or a gap4 ,if there is a crowd at the only practicable place in a fence1 a lady must wait her turn1 and should her horse refuse1 she must at once give place to any rider who may be behind her1 and wait until her turn comes again before having a second attempt to clear the obstacle4 ,as precious time is lost by refusing horses1 it is generally wiser if possible to find some other means of exit than to argue with a refuser4 ,remember that there is always a gate which can be opened1 near a haystack1 as the farmer places his hay where he can easily get at it 7,fig4 #acb74 ,a lady should save her horse as much as possible1 jump only when she is obliged1 for hunting is not steeplechasing1 and try to keep within sight of hounds4 ,she should remember to shut any gate she may use1 and to carefully avoid riding over winter beans1 wheat1 clover1 roots1 turnips1 or any crops1 or ground newly sown with seed4 ,a lady should take a pull at her horse when going over ploughed land or down-hill in order to keep him well collected1 and should always ride slowly over ground that is deep and holding1 if she values her hunter's soundness4 ,ladies who know every fence and covert in a country have a great advantage over strangers1 because foxes frequently make a point from one covert to another1 and experienced hunting women will generally have a good idea where they are going4 ,like ,surtees' ,michael ,hardy1 they know their country and the runs of its foxes4 ,there are people that have hunted in ,leicestershire all their lives1 who manage to keep comparatively near hounds and see good sport without jumping a single fence4 ,they know the country1 generally ride to points1 and act as admirable pilots to the uninitiated4 ,i owe them a deep debt of gratitude for showing me the way1 when ,i rode young horses who were getting their first lessons in hunting4 ,croppers never came to me under their wise guidance1 but only when tempted by the keenness and excitement of my over-sanguine youngster1 ,i essayed lepping experiments which were not always successful4 ,illustration3 ,fig4 #acb4--;,haystack and gate4 ,a lady should never put her mount at a fence which she is not certain he is able to jump1 for it is better to be a coward than a corpse1 and even if she is pounded and loses a run1 both she and her horse have plenty more good hunting days in store4 ,some hunters will refuse a fence at which they see the horse in front of them come to grief1 and as it is only natural that any horse with brains should feel more or less frightened at such times1 his rider should sympathise with him and encourage him to make an effort1 in much the same way as we would coax a child to take a dose of medicine4 ,few horses like jumping4 ,whoever saw animals at liberty larking over fences from sheer delight in leaping8 ,it takes a deal of time and patience to make a good fencer1 although1 of course1 some horses learn the art much more quickly than others4 ,although few horses enjoy jumping1 they1 luckily for us1 detest falling1 and ,i feel sure that if people would only leave their mouths alone and regard the use of the curb at fences as a death-trap1 we should hear of far fewer falls in the hunting field4 ,captain ,elmhirst truly says3 ,horses are very sage at saving themselves and consequently you4 ,they care little for the coward on their back2 but for their own convenience they won't fall if they can help it4 ,to prove this ,i may relate the following interesting and instructive fact3 ,some years ago ,i was giving1 at ,ward's ,riding ,school1 ,brompton ,road1 ,london1 practical demonstrations of riding over fences without reins1 my husband driving on foot a horse which he had taught to jump1 with the long reins4 ,when my part of the show ended1 a single pole was raised to a height of five feet1 and ,gustave1 which was the name of this amiable grey horse1 was asked to go and jump that fence by himself4 ,he was allowed only a short run at it1 as the school is not a large one1 but in his desire to obey orders he would canter up to the pole1 and if he considered that he had misjudged his correct distance for taking off1 he would go back of his own accord and take another run at it4 ,my husband was as much surprised as ,i was when we first saw the horse do this1 as we had not credited him with so much intelligence4 ,therefore1 when ,i hear people talking about lifting and assisting horses over their fences1 ,i cannot help thinking that if they lifted themselves off their backs they would see how much better horses are able to jump without their assistance4 ,many of my readers doubtless saw the ,grand ,national of #aijj1 and how poor ,hidden ,mystery1 who1 after he had fallen and had unshipped his rider1 jumped the fences with safety to himself and the field4 ,such sights must show how necessary it is for us to interfere as little as possible with our horses when riding them over fences4 ,if most horses dislike jumping1 it is certain that they love hunting and will exert every effort to keep in touch with hounds4 ,those who doubt this should ride a young horse1 and note how anxious he is to try and keep with hounds and how1 with the fearlessness of ignorance he would charge any fence and probably kill both himself and his rider1 if he were permitted to urge on his wild career4 ,blow a hunting horn near a stable where there are hunters1 and then listen to the snorting1 kicking and excitement which your action has aroused2 but it is unwise to repeat the experiment1 for the chances are that the excited war horses inside may do some damage in their frantic efforts to get out and follow the music4 ,watch farmers' horses loose in a field when hounds are in the vicinity1 and you will see them careering madly up and down1 as if they too would like to join in hunting the fox1 although their avocation in life dooms them to the placid work of drawing a plough or heavy cart4 ,as in horses so in men1 and those who possess the sporting instinct will run many miles in the hope of catching a glimpse of a hunt1 even though they may never be able to follow hounds on horseback4 ,these foot people are not welcomed in any hunting field1 but there is no denying that they are keen on the sport1 or they would not tire themselves as they do1 in their efforts to see something of it4 ,jorrocks says3 ,i often thinks1 could the keen foot-folks change places with the fumigatin' yards o' leather and scarlet1 wot a much better chance there would be for the chase6 ,they1 at all events1 come out from a genuine inclination for the sport1 and not for mere show sake1 as too many do4 ,if a lady has the misfortune to own a hunter who1 on refusing a fence1 shows an inclination to rear on being brought up to it again1 my advice would be to sell him1 as rearing is of all equine vices the most dangerous1 and a woman in a side-saddle is unable to slip off over the tail of a horse who is standing on his hind legs1 a feat ,i have seen accomplished by men4 ,besides1 a horse who will try to rear at a fence instead of jumping it1 will be sure to revert to the same form of defence1 whenever the will of his rider does not coincide with that of his own4 ,it is very unwise to lend a hunter to anyone who is not a thoroughly good rider4 ,i had in ,calcutta a clever ,australian horse which ,i used to ride in the paper-chases that are run over a made course4 ,he had never refused or made the slightest mistake with me until ,i lent him to a friend4 ,when ,i again rode the horse1 he refused with me at the first fence4 ,i spoke to him1 took him again at it and he jumped it1 but ,i had a similar difficulty at another obstacle1 and was entirely out of the chase4 ,i was subsequently told by those who knew the horse that the man to whom ,i had lent him was very noisy1 had cut the animal about with his whip1 and had treated the surprised onlookers to scenes with him at every fence4 ,the horse had a light snaffle mouth1 and would quickly resent any undue interference with it4 ,it is unwise1 also1 to lend a hunter to even an expert rider1 if he or she is afflicted with a bad temper4 ,i heard of a case of a brilliant hunter being lent to an accomplished horsewoman who returned him after a day's hunting with large wheals on his body1 showing how cruelly she had used her whip on him4 ,the lady to whom the animal belonged was greatly distressed on seeing the condition of her favourite hunter1 who was one of the best that ever crossed ,leicestershire4 ,a whip1 as ,i have said1 should never be used with the object of inflicting pain1 but as an aid4 ,it is a good plan to always give a hunter a touch with the whip when sending him at an exceptionally big fence1 as a reminder that he must exert his best efforts2 but in order that the horse may thoroughly understand its meaning1 it should be used only at stiff fences2 the touch should not be so severe as to hurt him1 and should be given on his off flank4 ,a horse must bring his quarters to the right before he can run out to the left1 and a touch on the off flank will help to keep him straight4 ,if a lady finds herself on dangerous or difficult ground1 as for instance1 land intersected with rabbit holes1 her best plan will be to slacken the pace into a trot or walk1 if necessary1 and leave the rest to her horse1 who will do his best to keep a firm footing4 ,parts of the ,south ,african veldt are dangerous to ride over because of meerkat holes1 but the horses in that country are marvellously clever in avoiding them1 if they are left alone4 ,rabbit holes are responsible for many bad accidents in hunting4 ,i was out one day with the ,belvoir on a young mare who put her foot into one while going at a smart pace over ridge and furrow4 ,she wrenched off a fore shoe and pecked so badly that ,i thought she must fall1 but ,i had the sense to lean back and leave her mouth alone1 and she appeared to save herself with a spare leg at the last moment1 recovering her balance by the aid of the ridge which she had breasted4 ,minus a fore shoe1 ,i had to take her home at a walk1 and ,i smiled to myself when ,i saw her make a vicious stamp at a rabbit who was in the act of disappearing into another hole4 ,a lady should send her horse at a good pace at a brook 7,fig4 #acc71 but not at top speed1 as he will not be able to collect himself to take off at a long jump if he is sent at it at full gallop4 ,we may see in jumping competitions1 especially at the ,agricultural ,hall1 that a clever horse can clear a fair expanse of water when allowed a run of only a few lengths4 ,the water jump at the ,richmond ,show is placed in such a position that a horse cannot be given a long run at it1 and yet many horses clear it easily4 ,it measures1 ,i believe1 about #ad feet1 and is so narrow that a horse ,i once rode over it showed his sense by clearing the width instead of the length1 and landing near the stand4 ,i do not think that out hunting it is usual to expect a horse to negotiate a water jump of say over #ab feet in width4 ,some horses1 like some men1 possess a special aptitude for jumping width1 although they would doubtless be poor performers at height1 the style of jumping being entirely different4 ,the hunter who is equally proficient at both styles of fencing1 is as rare as he is valuable4 ,captain ,elmhirst records an instance of a whole ,leicestershire field pounded by #ab feet of water1 and how the difficulty was at last overcome by a shallow spot being discovered1 a rail broken down and the field slink pitifully through4444 ,how we hug ourselves as we gallop under a railway arch1 to find we have bridged a bit of water that would frighten no one outside the vaunted ,midlands4 ,i believe the reason why the majority of hunting people dislike water is that they do not care to ride fast at it1 for fear of being crumpled in a fall4 ,i do not agree with the statement that a hard funker rushes at his fences4 ,ignorance and enthusiasm may lead people into doing that1 but funk oftener than not either pilots them away from fences entirely1 or incites them to pull their horses off them1 and then abuse the animals for refusing6 ,when the funky rider does make up his mind to take a jump1 he generally lets everybody near know it by the noise he makes1 ostensibly to encourage his horse1 but in reality to keep his heart in the right place1 and not in his mouth4 ,the ignorant horsewoman1 as pointed out by the ,duchess of ,newcastle1 rushes her horse at difficult obstacles1 because she is fearless of dangers unknown to her2 but a wholesome fall generally teaches her to temper valour with discretion4 ,if a lady finds herself on a horse which is pulling too hard to be within perfect control1 she should stop him as soon as possible and take him home1 for very obvious reasons4 ,if there is difficulty in stopping him1 the best way is to try and keep him on the turn until he obeys the rein4 ,illustration3 ,fig4 #acc4--;,brook4 ,the presence of a line of pollard willows in the distance 7,fig4 #acd7 is a certain sign that a brook is flowing past their roots4 ,in going through woodland country1 a lady should be careful to lower her head in passing under trees and to ride slowly4 ,it is essential for her to decide at once the direction which she intends to take1 to keep her horse well collected1 and not allow him to deviate from it by going the wrong side of a tree or opening1 or to take the initiative in any other way4 ,a good horsewoman is seen to great advantage in riding through woodland country4 ,,cub-,,hunting4 ,a lady intending to hunt should obtain as much practice in the cub-hunting season as she possibly can2 for she will be helping to get both herself and her hunters into condition1 and1 as the season goes on1 will gain experience of what fox-hunting will be like4 ,in the early days she must not look forward to having a gallop1 for hounds are being taught to hunt and kill a cub in covert1 and the most useful service she can render at such times is to stand by the covert side and prevent any foxes from breaking away4 ,i believe that only people who are really fond of hunting take part in the morning and dress by candle1 lamp1 or gas-light4 ,when they are ready to ride perhaps a long distance to covert1 there is often only sufficient daylight to see with1 rain drizzling down steadily and everything looking cheerless4 ,a light meal1 if it be only a cup of cocoatina and a slice of bread and butter1 should be taken before starting1 and if it is wet or threatening1 a good rain coat should be worn4 ,towards the end of ,september and throughout ,october there will be galloping and jumping1 and often the pace will be fast enough for the condition of both horse and rider1 as we may see by steaming animals and flushed faces at the end of a run4 ,i have so greatly enjoyed these cub-hunting runs with their freedom from crowding and crush1 that ,i can heartily endorse the opinion of ,captain ,elmhirst1 who says3 ,call it cub-hunting1 or call it what you like1 there will be few merrier mornings before ,xmas than that of the ,quorn on the last days of ,september4 ,it seems like the breaking up of a family party when the cubbing ceases and all the pomp and circumstance of fox-hunting commences4 ,i often wonder if people who take no interest whatever in cub-hunting1 but who regularly appear on the opening day of the season1 really ride to hunt1 or hunt to ride8 ,jorrocks tells us that1 ,some come to see1 others to be seen2 some for the ride out1 others for the ride 'ome2 some for happetites1 some for 'ealth2 some to get away from their wives1 and a few to 'unt4 ,our tyro who is enjoying her cubbing will be wise to take a back place on the opening day of the season1 and thus avoid being jostled by the mighty crowd she will see on a ,kirby ,gate day4 ,she will doubtless find her mount far more excited and difficult to manage than ever before1 and will require to exert a good deal of tact and patience in restraining his ambition to catch the fox4 ,the opening day is always the most trying one of the season4 ,all the world and his wife seem to be at the meet4 ,there are people in vehicles of every kind1 on foot1 on bicycles and tricycles1 as well as about four hundred horsemen1 and many things happen on this day of crowding and discomfort which must sorely tax the patience of the most angelic tempered ,master4 ,illustration3 ,fig4 #acd4--,pollard willows in the next field4 ,a lady who has had a good season at cub hunting1 ought to be able to take her place among the third-flight people1 where she will gradually gain experience and a knowledge of the country1 which will enable her to pass into the second rank1 and finally into the first2 but she must work her way up by degrees1 and remember that no one can ride safely over ,leicestershire in the first flight who is not mounted on an accomplished performer1 and is not thoroughly well acquainted with the country4 ,,kickers ,,and ,,red ,,bows4 ,unless a lady is perfectly certain that her mount will not lash out at hounds1 she should keep well away from them1 and should never ride into a covert where they are4 ,i once had a mare of this description who never kicked horses1 but who would try to get a sly kick at even our own wow-wows during a hacking ride4 ,we had some foxhound puppies at walk1 but ,i never allowed her to get near them1 and our own dogs got so artful that they always managed to evade her kicks4 ,i do not believe that mare would ever have been safe with hounds1 so ,i took good care to give her no opportunity of disgracing the pair of us in the hunting field4 ,in every other respect she was most amiable4 ,as there are inconsiderate people who ride kickers1 a lady should carefully avoid getting near a horse whose tail is adorned with a red bow4 ,if this is impossible1 and it often is in crowds1 she should try and keep to the left of the kicker1 so that if he lashes out he may not be able to break her legs4 ,scrutator in his book on ,foxhunting points out that the risks men encounter in the chase are great enough without being subjected to the chance of having their legs broken by a bad-tempered brute at the covert side4 ,i once had the misfortune to see a man's leg broken by a vicious kicker in ,leicestershire4 ,another case happened while ,i was in ,cheshire1 and yet these dangerous be-ribboned animals can still be seen in almost every hunting field4 ,we must here draw a sharp line of distinction between horses which kick from vice1 and those1 especially young ones full of corn and short of work1 which throw up their heels from exuberance of spirits4 ,many mares1 particularly in springtime1 are apt to kick from causes which ,i need not discuss4 ,hence1 geldings are more free from this baneful habit than their female relations1 and are consequently1 as a rule1 more reliable mounts4 ,great care should be observed in gradually accustoming a young horse to placidly bear the excitement of being surrounded by a large number of his equine companions1 and he should thoroughly learn this part of his education before he is required to quit the outskirts of the field1 and take his place as a hunter4 ,this preliminary training of course comes under the heading of breaking and not of hunting4 ,a young horse turned out in the open1 not unfrequently gives a companion a playful kick1 which very seldom inflicts any injury1 because it has no venom in it1 and the hoof that administers the tap is unshod4 ,i have even seen mares with a foal at foot1 give the young one a slight push with the hind hoof1 to make him get out of the way4 ,the motives of such taps are of course entirely different from the dangerous malevolence that prompts a confirmed kicker to lash out at horse or man who comes within striking distance4 ,we should bear in mind that a touch behind is very apt to provoke a kick1 whether of the vicious1 playful or get-out-of-the-way kind4 ,hence a rider should always be careful never to allow her horse's head to touch the hind quarters of an animal in front1 which is a precaution that is of special application in crowds of pulled-up horses4 ,also1 on such occasions1 she should keep him straight and should prevent him from reining back4 ,any man or woman who knowingly rides a kicker in a large hunting field1 is guilty of disgraceful conduct2 because it is impossible for everyone to get out of reach of this bone-breaker's heels1 during the frequent stoppages which occur out hunting4 ,some persons have a red bow put on their animal's tail1 or they place a hand at the small of their back1 with the palm turned to the rear1 as a sly device to get more elbow-room in crowds4 ,it is evident that such artful tricks are unworthy of imitation4 ,,blood4 ,with full consideration of the importance of blood for making hounds keen1 ,i must say that the digging out of foxes is a phase of hunting that ,i greatly dislike to witness4 ,i do not think that any writer has put this question more fairly than ,captain ,elmhirst1 who says3--,we must grant that hounds are glad to get hold of their fox2 but we cannot grant that it is at all necessary that they should do so4 ,in a well-stocked country he must be a very bad huntsman who cannot find them blood enough by fair killing2 while in a badly stocked one it is very certain you cannot afford wanton bloodshed4 ,moreover1 it is almost an allowed fact that hounds well blooded in the cub-hunting season do not require it to any extent afterwards2 and many authorities maintain that a good 'flare up' of triumph and excitement over the mouth of an earth is just as effectual and satisfactory to hounds as an actual worry4 ,and what do the field think of it8 ,they hate and abominate it1 each and every one of them4 ,they neither sympathise with the feeling that prompts the act1 nor hold with the expediency of its commission4 ,to them it represents no pleasure1 and certainly coincides with none of their notions of sport4 ,they would find much greater fun in seeing rats killed in a barn1 and derive from the sight a much higher sense of satisfaction4 ,condemned1 probably1 to stand about in the cold1 unwilling witnesses of what they heartily detest1 they spend the time in giving vent to their annoyance and contempt4444 ,finally1 fox-digging1 in the sense we refer to1 is a crying enormity1 a disgrace to a noble sport1 and should be put down as rigorously as vivisection4 ,tearing a poor fox to pieces is a sight which very few women would care to watch1 except those manly ones who take a delight in killing wild animals themselves4 ,such persons would be able to look unmoved at a bullock being pole axed1 without losing a particle of their appetite for a cut off his sirloin4 ,,coming ,,home4 ,we are accustomed to associate hunting with pleasant runs2 but there are days when covert after covert is drawn blank and a fox not found until late4 ,sometimes1 but very rarely1 we have an entirely blank day4 ,a lady with only one hunter out should use her own judgment about participating in a late run4 ,a great deal would depend on the distance the animal has travelled and the length of the journey home4 ,some people ignorantly imagine that a hunter should be kept out until he has had a run1 unless the day proves entirely blank1 however tired he may be4 ,if it is necessary for people who stay out all day to ride second horses1 it is equally important that the one-horse lady should know when her mount has had enough4 ,it is always a safe plan for her to retire at the change of horses2 for there is no pleasure in continuing to hunt on a tired animal1 and there is certainly danger in so doing4 ,old-time sportsmen were content with one horse a day4 ,scrutator tells us that in the time of ,mr4 ,meynell it was not the fashion to have second horses in the field4 ,if ,i may express an opinion1 ,i think that many ladies are inclined to regard horses as machines1 and expect too much from them4 ,this is probably due to that unfortunate saying as strong as a horse1 estimating the standard of mechanical power as horse power1 and so forth4 ,i have no doubt that our domestic cat would dislike the person who said that cats have nine lives4 ,a horse is1 in reality1 by no means as strong as many of us imagine1 and his legs are a continual source of anxiety4 ,ladies who hunt should get a veterinary book1 preferably ,veterinary ,notes for ,horse-owners1 and when they have read it through1 they will not be likely to overtax the powers of their hunters4 ,i once saw in an old ,graphic a picture of ,lady ,somebody's mare which that worthy dame had ridden to death4 ,the animal had1 it was explained1 gone brilliantly with her ladyship that day and had fallen dead while passing through a village4 ,the artist had drawn the poor mare stretched out1 surrounded by an inquisitive field1 and the owner posed as the heroine of a great achievement1 instead of one who had rendered herself liable to prosecution for cruelty to animals4 ,i feel sure that no woman would knowingly commit such a heartless action4 ,when a horse begins to show signs of distress1 his rider should instantly pull up1 and1 if necessary1 walk him quietly home4 ,his state of condition should always be taken into account at such times4 ,the hurried and distressed state of a horse's breathing1 and his laboured action1 are sure signs to the experienced horsewoman that the animal has had enough4 ,to persons who know little or nothing about horses1 the fact of their usually free-going mount ceasing to go up to his bridle and to answer an encouraging shake of the reins or touch of the whip1 are valuable indications that he should be pulled up1 either into a trot or walk4 ,if he is in hard condition1 a respite from exertion1 for ten minutes or a quarter of an hour1 will make him all right for another gallop1 which should be given with due circumspection4 ,if the horse is not in thorough galloping condition he should be taken home at a quiet walk4 ,keeping a horse standing1 especially in a cold wind1 after a fatiguing run1 is not an unfrequent means of giving the animal congestion of the lungs4 ,a wise woman will take care of a good hunter1 for such animals are not easy to replace1 and1 as ,jorrocks says1 ,we know what we 'ave1 but we don't know what we may get4 ,if a lady intends to ride her hunter home1 it would greatly conduce to his comfort1 and possibly her own1 especially if she has been several hours in the saddle1 to dismount for1 say1 a quarter of an hour1 have her horse quietly led about1 and then ride him home at a walk4 ,if she is using a second horse1 it is always wise to get her second horseman to take the saddle off her first horse and rub his back well with the hand1 especially at the off side of the withers and of the back1 under the cantle1 in order to restore the circulation of the part before taking him home4 ,the animal ought to be given an opportunity of refreshing himself by drinking at a brook or trough on his homeward way4 ,no harm can arise from a horse drinking cold water when at work1 however hot he may be1 if his exercise be continued at a slow pace for a short time4 ,a lady's hunter should always be examined1 if possible by his mistress1 or by one of the male members of her family1 on his return from a day with the hounds1 and his back and legs should receive special attention4 ,the chief accidents which are liable to happen by such work1 are sprains of tendons and ligaments below the knees1 over-reaches1 cuts1 punctures from thorns1 and injuries from the saddle4 ,it is not within the province of this book to deal with such subjects1 and few ladies would go through the bother of studying them4 ,nevertheless1 there are some exceptions1 as we may see by the comparatively large number of lady doctors1 and by the fact that only the narrow-minded policy of the ,royal ,college of ,veterinary ,surgeons prevented ,miss ,custance1 who had studied at the ,edinburgh ,new ,veterinary ,college1 from obtaining her diploma1 to which she was fully entitled by her scientific attainments and practical experience4 ,those of my readers who wish to understand the treatment of horses in health and disease1 cannot do better1 as far as books are concerned1 than to study my husband's ,stable ,management and ,exercise1 and ,veterinary ,notes for ,horse-owners4 ,one point about the examination of a hard-ridden hunter which is within the comprehension of even an inexperienced girl1 is the detection and proper treatment of lumps on his back which have been produced during the ride by hurtful pressure of the saddle1 and which almost always appear on the off side of the withers1 and on the off side of the back1 near where the cantle rested4 ,if these swellings be neglected1 they will probably become developed into abscesses1 which will incapacitate the animal from work for a month or longer4 ,an admirable way of treating them1 as soon as the saddle is removed1 is to pour some whiskey1 brandy or other spirit into the hollow of the hand1 apply it to the lump1 and rub the swelling briskly with the palm of the hand for at least five minutes4 ,i have often seen a large swelling of this kind visibly decrease in size during this process1 which1 in the many cases ,i have witnessed1 always caused the lump to disappear by the following morning4 ,in applying this form of massage1 no delay should occur1 after removing the saddle1 which should always be taken off the moment the animal returns to his stable1 and his back well rubbed with the hand or with a dry whisp of straw or hay4 ,when entrusting the carrying out of this treatment to the groom1 care should be taken that the spirit is administered externally to the horse1 and not internally to the man4 ,if spirit be not available1 careful friction with the palm of the hand will generally be sufficient to ensure the desired result4 ,this treatment should not be applied1 if the skin over the part is broken1 for in that somewhat rare case the friction would irritate the wound4 ,,rider',s ,,physical ,,condition4 ,the young or old ,diana1 especially if she is not in hard riding condition1 is very apt to get rubbed1 generally by the cantle of the saddle4 ,if the skin is cut1 a dry dressing of tannoform1 which is a powder that can be got from a chemist1 will be found a good and speedy remedy2 and is also useful for cuts in horses4 ,it would be injudicious to ride again1 or to have an injured hunter ridden again1 until such an abrasion has healed4 ,it is essential for a lady who intends to hunt1 to be able to ride a fast gallop without becoming blown4 ,some hunting ladies do preparatory work cubbing or with the ,devon and ,somerset ,staghounds4 ,those who are obliged to forego these pleasant methods of getting fit1 would do well to get into fairly good condition by long walks or bicycle rides4 ,i would warn my young readers that all fast exercise should be taken gradually and in moderation1 and that they should never disregard symptoms of fatigue2 because when muscles are tired1 they are unable to act with strength and precision4 ,,tips ,,and ,,thanks4 ,we should always remember to carry some small change in our pockets to be given as tips to gate-openers and any poor persons whose services we accept4 ,and now1 gentle ladies1 let me remind you never to forget to render thanks to every person1 gentle or simple1 who may1 by the performance of some kindly act1 have helped to contribute towards your day's enjoyment4 ,we should also try to be as useful as possible to each other2 for we all admire that nice pleasant woman who1 instead of attempting to hold us up to ridicule if our back hair is falling down1 or anything has happened which ruffles our appearance1 rides up and quietly brings the fact to our notice4 ,i have heard female voices audibly picking holes in a lady's mount1 which is very unkind2 for their poorer sister was doubtless riding the best horse she could get1 and the hearing of such rude remarks may entirely spoil her day's pleasure4 ,,the ,,horn4 ,mr4 ,j4 ,anstruther ,thompson in his most instructive book1 ,hints to ,huntsmen1 gives the following horn notes and explanation of their meaning4 ,ladies who intend to hunt should study the music of the horn in order that they may understand what hounds are doing in covert 7,fig4 #ace71 and be ready to start off as soon as they hear the recognised signal4 ,to call hounds on when drawing a covert4 ,illustration3 ,music ,a prolonged swelling note to call them away4 ,illustration3 ,music ,a long single note when all are away4 ,illustration3 ,music ,a double note when on a scent 7called doubling the horn74 ,illustration3 ,music ,two short notes and a long one for ',gone away4' ,illustration3 ,music ',tally-ho6 back1' on horn and crack of whip4 ,illustration3 ,music ,a rattle for ',whoo1 whoop4' ,illustration3 ,music ,from the foregoing it will be seen that it is necessary to be on the alert for short notes1 because they mean business1 while the long ones denote a covert drawn blank4 ,,hirelings4 ,the large majority of hunting women ride their own animals1 or mounts lent them by friends2 but some less fortunate ones have to content themselves with hirelings1 many of which are unreliable conveyances1 because they pass through so many hands1 that they run a great risk of being spoiled by bad riders1 and in that respect1 horses have unfortunately very retentive memories4 ,from two to three guineas is the usual charge for a day2 and from ,l#ab to ,l#bj for a month4 ,in both cases1 the job-master has to bear all reasonable risks4 ,a person who hires a horse for longer than a day1 has to keep the animal and pay for his shoeing4 ,l#ae a month is a reasonable charge for the loan of a good hunter4 ,when wishing to hire by the month1 it is well to go to a job-master who has a large collection of hirelings1 like ,mr4 ,sam ,hames of ,leicester1 so that the hirer may get a change of mounts1 in the event of the first not being suitable4 ,illustration3 ,photo4 from ,country ,life4 ,fig4 #ace4--,the ,cottesmore drawing a covert4 ,i have ridden a few hirelings1 but hunting on them gave me no pleasure2 because ,i was entirely ignorant of their capabilities1 and it is not a pleasant feeling to ride at a nasty fence with a big note of interrogation sticking in one's heart4 ,scrutator in his interesting book1 ,foxhunting1 says he never could find any pleasure in riding strange horses4 ,they neither understand your way of doing business1 nor you theirs1 so there must of necessity be doubts and drawbacks until both become more intimately acquainted4 ,i have seen so many bad accidents happen to men who were riding hired hunters1 that ,i cannot too strongly impress on my readers the necessity of letting caution mark the guarded way1 by testing a strange mount at small fences to see how he shapes1 before taking unwise risks4 ,last season1 a young man who was hunting with the ,pytchley on a hireling came a cropper at the first fence1 staked his mount and got a kick in the head4 ,he was greatly distressed about the poor horse which the dealer had assured him could jump anything1 a feat that no hunter in the world can perform4 ,an accident of this kind with a hired hunter is a most unpleasant occurrence2 because1 if the bruised and mud-stained horseman happens to be a stranger to the dealer1 the latter will naturally blame his riding1 while the injured one who has to break the news as gently as possible1 will consider that he has been misled concerning the animal's jumping capabilities4 ,jorrocks's advice1 know your horse1 should be engraved in capital letters on the heart of everyone who hunts1 as its observance would prevent many distressing accidents both to humans and equines4 ,,farmers ,,and ,,wire4 ,there is very little wire in ,leicestershire1 though it is far too common in other parts of the ,shires4 ,fences where the warning red board 7,fig4 #acf7 or red rag 7,fig4 #acg7 is seen1 should be avoided1 as these signals denote the presence of wire4 ,as these death-traps bear no warning notice in some places 7,fig4 #ach71 it behoves people hunting in such countries to keep a sharp look-out for unmarked wire and iron hurdles 7,fig4 #aci74 ,illustration3 ,fig4 #acf4--,wire board4 ,some farmers appear to use wire in an unnecessary manner4 ,for instance1 placing it on the top of a gate 7,fig4 #adj7 seems to have no raison d'etre1 except to hurt unfortunate hunters which in breasting such a gate to push it open1 are apt to get badly pricked and run suddenly back to avoid it1 with the possible result of injury to both horses and riders behind them4 ,also1 ,i have seen wire put up in fields in which there were no cattle1 and removed after the hunting season1 to duly appear again in the following one4 ,other tricks1 such as sending sheep-dogs to head foxes1 and stationing farm hands to shout wire6 where there is none1 have also come under my personal notice4 ,indeed it is impossible to live in the country1 without observing such acts of hostility on the part of farmers towards hunting people4 ,i cannot help thinking that much of this tension might be removed1 if every hunt secretary followed the example of ,colonel ,francis ,henry1 the ,hon4 ,secretary of the ,duke of ,beaufort's ,hunt1 of whom we read in ,baily's ,magazine of ,march1 #aijb3--;,colonel ,henry1 who1 in the opinion of his numerous friends1 seems to possess the secret of eternal youth1 contrives to enquire personally into every complaint that is sent to him1 whether relating to damaged fences1 loss of poultry or1 rarely1 'wire offences4' ,there is no better known figure in ,gloucestershire than that of ,colonel ,henry on his hack1 one of his own breeding by the way1 which carries him on his long rides2 he is wont to say that in dealing with a grievance 'one visit is worth a dozen letters4' ,his geniality1 and the painstaking care with which he investigates every matter to which his attention is called1 dissipate at their beginning many difficulties which1 handled with less sympathetic diplomacy1 would 'come to a head' and produce the friction which tells against sport4 ,landowners1 farmers1 and business men alike in the ,badminton country are keen supporters of fox-hunting1 and their attitude towards the sport is due in no small degree to the unremitting attention and care for their interests displayed by the honorary secretary both in winter and summer4 ,the truth of ,colonel ,henry's remark that one visit is worth a dozen letters1 was exemplified to me the other day by an old lady1 a farmer's wife1 who regretted the sad change in hunting people since her young days1 when they used to come in and chat with me as affable as could be4 ,she mentioned the name of ,mr4 ,wroughton1 who partook of some of her cowslip wine1 and so much was she impressed with the visit that every small detail of it1 even the year1 month1 day and hour1 and also where he sat in her parlour1 remains a treasured memory4 ,he made a friend who will always speak of him in the highest terms1 because he was nice and civil to her1 and it seems to be a matter for regret that this friendly feeling is not more generally cultivated than it is in hunting districts4 ,illustration3 ,fig4 #acg4--,red flag4 ,unfortunately1 the old-fashioned motherly1 hardworking farmer's wife is a type of woman which is rapidly dying out1 and the modern specimen belongs to that large and useless brigade of perfect ladies who are above their position and who regard work as undignified4 ,i recently saw an advertisement from a farmer's daughter who said in it that she had offers of plenty of mounts1 but wanted some lady to give her a riding habit6 ,surely it would have been far better for her to have worked and earned one1 instead of cadging in such a manner for her amusement8 ,proverbially bad as our fresh butter in the ,midlands is1 ,i fear the time is approaching when butter making will entirely cease1 for1 with few exceptions1 farmers' daughters are not trained to do dairy work4 ,a modern young lady from a farm1 who had been educated in a ,board school1 applied to a well known lady of title for a situation as governess2 but her ladyship pointed out that her educational attainments did not qualify her for such a post1 and suggested that she should obtain employment as a parlourmaid4 ,needless to say that the farmer's daughter scorned the idea of thus lowering herself6 ,even the daughters of farm labourers nowadays ride their bicycles1 instead of going out to service as their mothers and grandmothers did before them1 and dress themselves ridiculously out of keeping with their position and surroundings4 ,it seems very incongruous to see such girls living in indolence in country villages1 while the daughters of their parson1 as frequently happens in large families1 turn out and earn their own livelihood4 ,illustration3 ,fig4 #ach4--',ware wire4 ,it would cost very little to give an annual ball1 say1 after the ,hunt ball and before the decorations were taken down1 to farmers and their wives and any local residents who help towards the support of hunting1 and ,i feel sure that an entertainment of this kind would be productive of beneficial results4 ,in order to make it a success1 it would have to be attended by some of the members of the local ,hunt1 and not in any way bear the stamp of a charity ball2 for untravelled middle-class people in this country are1 as a rule1 very select1 and eaten up with social ambition1 and many who would not think of attending a subscription dance1 would be attracted by an invitation ,hunt ball4 ,besides1 after all1 even if local residents and farmers pay their guinea to be present at an annual ,hunt ball1 they feel themselves rather out of it1 if they are not personally acquainted with anyone in the room1 and wisely avoid such dreary functions4 ,it is recorded of ,mr4 ,conyers that he once presented every farmer's wife in his hunting district with a silk dress1 saying that the ladies must be propitiated if hunting is to flourish4 ,illustration3 ,fig4 #aci4--;,iron hurdle4 ,one of the reasons why hunting is unpopular among farmers is the selfish and reckless manner in which many followers of a hunt ride over arable land2 the greatest sinners in this respect being those who reside in towns1 and who1 knowing nothing about agriculture1 err more from ignorance than indifference4 ,unless vegetation stares them in the face1 they evidently think there is no harm in riding over ploughed land1 no matter how distinctly the smoothly-harrowed surface and carefully prepared drains indicate the presence of seed underneath4 ,in such a case1 our best plan would be to skirt along1 as near as possible1 the hedge or other boundary1 even if we have to go a little out of our way4 ,riding over cultivated heavy 7clay7 land1 especially if its surface is wet1 is particularly hurtful to the crop1 because each imprint of a horse's foot will form a small pool of water1 which will rot the seed inside it4 ,in light 7sandy7 land1 the water in such holes will quickly drain off1 and little or no injury will be done4 ,while hoping that young horsewomen will not allow their enthusiasm for hunting to outweigh their sense of prudence when steering their horses over farmers' land1 ,i would entreat them to also hold hard when approaching allotment ground1 for this land is rented1 as a rule1 by the poorest of the poor1 who have no gardens in which to grow vegetables1 etc41 for their use1 and a small field of1 say1 a few acres may be cultivated by several villagers and their children in their spare time of evenings4 ,each tenant has his own patch of allotment land on which he grows what he requires for his use4 ,in winter we may frequently see the entire field under wheat cultivation1 as many poor families grow their own grain1 which the local miller grinds into flour1 and in this way they save the baker's bill1 as they make their own bread4 ,to ride over and destroy their small crops is a sin which ,i am sure no lady would knowingly commit1 and1 therefore1 it behoves us all to exercise due circumspection when we find ourselves on arable land4 ,illustration3 ,fig4 #adj4--,wire on top of gate4 ,also1 on pasture land we have need to temper valour with discretion1 and especially after ,christmas1 when ewes and cows are heavy with young1 and are not in a fit state to safely endure the dual evil of fright and violent exercise4 ,later on1 when lambs have appeared1 it is cruel to gallop so near these mothers and their young1 as to cause suffering4 ,sheep are such stupid animals that they appear to have no idea of evading a crowd2 and cattle1 as a rule1 lose their heads from fright1 and career madly about their fields1 sometimes for two or three days after the sudden passing of a hunt4 ,when a gate is negligently left open1 and the terrified animals avail themselves of this method of escape1 the unfortunate farmer will generally have great trouble in finding and bringing them back1 because they often go long distances1 and he has seldom any means of knowing what route they have taken4 ,horses give him far more trouble than cattle in this respect1 because they can travel faster and farther4 ,i have seen ladies who have the interests of hunting deeply at heart--,mrs4 ,james ,hornsby1 for instance--ride back and fasten gates which have been carelessly left open4 ,one grievance which lies very near the heart of a farmer1 because ,i suppose it frequently touches his pocket1 is the damage done to his fences1 especially during a check1 by people who unnecessarily potter through small gaps1 which1 after they have finished1 resemble open spaces4 ,the farmer who has to get them mended speaks very bitterly about fox-hunting1 especially if he has to do the repairing at his own expense1 as he argues that if it was necessary to work a passage in this manner through his hedge1 the field might have been content with one open door instead of making several4 ,a farmer in the ,north ,cheshire country was so irate on this point that on one occasion when the hunt wanted to cross his land1 he and his men gave us a welcome with pitchforks6 ,a kind of farmer whom ,i despise is the man that hunts on the free list and pretends to support fox-hunting1 while he keeps his land encompassed by wire during the entire season6 ,i have known some of these men enjoy unmerited popularity with the ,master1 and even take charge of ,hunt wire boards4 ,their non-hunting neighbours who take down wire and over whose land they ride with safety1 are obviously the better supporters of hunting1 although they may not be able to afford a nag1 even if they had time to devote to the sport4 ,the farmer who takes down his wire is naturally displeased with a ,hunt which favours an individual who keeps it up2 but ,i think if all ,hunt secretaries were like ,colonel ,henry1 such delinquents would soon be brought to book1 for no ,master would care to see with his hounds1 a farmer who kept his land wired during the hunting season4 ,some of the illustrations of wired fences in this book have been photographed on the land of so-called hunting farmers4 ,an even worse class of man than the double-dealing farmer is the wealthy landowner who preserves his coverts1 shoots foxes1 lets his shooting at a big profit1 and then goes off to hunt in some fashionable centre1 like ,melton ,mowbray4 ,in ,leicestershire he would be regarded as a hunting man1 while in his own district he is known as a vulpicide1 for ,reynard is seldom1 if ever1 found in his coverts4 ,one has only to live in the country1 and pretend indifference about fox-hunting1 to see the tricks which some farmers perform in order to prevent people from riding over their land4 ,i remember in the ,north ,cheshire country a big covert1 which was always considered a certain find1 being drawn blank1 much to the huntsman's surprise4 ,as he called off his hounds1 after a thorough investigation1 a farmer said1 with a smile3 ,i knew they wouldn't find a fox here1 for ,mr4 ----'s foxhound puppy1 which he is walking1 has been rummaging about this covert all morning6 ,it appears that ,mr4 ,blank was a farmer whose land adjoined the said covert1 and who had found his foxhound puppy more useful in driving away foxes than his sheepdogs4 ,instead of doling out compensation to farmers as a form of charity1 it would be much better for our hunting authorities to meet them on a level footing1 get them to appoint a committee of their own1 and pay that official body1 every year1 a certain proportion of the hunt subscriptions1 to be applied according to the wishes of the ,farmers' ,committee4 ,,pilots4 ,i have not enlarged on the subject of hunting pilotage1 because1 truth to tell1 ,i have never indulged in the luxury of a pilot1 as ,i have preferred to know the capabilities of my mount and to see and act for myself4 ,i believe that any woman who can ride and manage her horse with intelligent forethought1 has no more need of a paid pilot than has the small boy who takes his chance on his pony4 ,if a lady has no male companion to remain with her during the day's hunting1 she should provide herself with a groom1 whose services will be very useful to her1 in the event of anything going wrong1 and in helping her in various ways4 ,it would be absurd for her to expect casual aid at every turn1 in a large field composed chiefly of strangers1 especially when its giver would be deprived of his place in a run4 ,pilots seem to be going out of fashion1 if we may judge by the large number of women who hunt safely without their assistance4 ,the inexperienced huntress generally has her father1 brother1 husband1 or some male friend or servant to show her the way1 which is the safest and best method of learning to hunt1 because they would know both the capabilities of the young lady and her mount1 and could be trusted to keep her out of harm's way4 ,if a paid pilot is engaged1 his horse should not be a better fencer than that of his charge4 ,he should also know her riding form1 and over what kind of jumps she intends him to lead her4 ,i would strongly impress on an inexperienced lady the necessity of learning to judge pace1 that is to say1 to know at what speed her horse is going4 ,the chief duty of a pilot is to set the pace for her1 and to select such fences as he knows her horse is capable of jumping1 the former being more important than the latter1 as it is far more difficult to learn4 ,she should see that her pilot is safely over a fence before sending her horse at it4 ,only practice and natural aptitude can teach a lady to judge pace3 it cannot be learnt from any book4 ,a lady should not deceive her pilot1 any more than we should withhold the truth from our doctor or lawyer4 ,if she feels more in skirting trim than in hard hunting nerve1 she should not hesitate to say so2 for we all like to take things easy at times1 whether it be in hunting or in anything else1 according as we feel fit or otherwise4 ,there is no gainsaying that the human barometer is regulated to a great extent by the weather1 as we may see by the big fields which greet the ,master on a fine hunting morning4 ,the unpleasant disclosures which have been recently made in our ,law ,courts1 concerning the free and easy conduct of a certain set of hunting men and women1 may prejudice many mothers against hunting as a fitting pastime for their daughters2 but the indiscretions of a few idle fast people should not be taken as a sample of the behaviour of an entire field4 ,in the crowd and bustle of hunting1 the large majority of the people are seriously engaged in the business of the day1 and have no time to indulge in flirtations4 ,certainly no sane man would choose a meet or covert side1 where he is surrounded by a crowd of people1 to do his love-making4 ,if the usual discretion is observed in the choice of a companion for a young lady going to and returning from a hunt1 she would have far less opportunity for frivol1 than in any ordinary ball room or theatre4 ,we need only watch hunting men and women passing through a crowded gateway1 to see that each one goes in turn1 and that there is very little consideration for sex4 ,,falls4 ,although the subject of falling is not a pleasant one to discuss1 still we cannot ignore it1 for even the best horsewoman occasionally gets hurt by her horse falling with her4 ,accidents sometimes occur over the most trivial obstacles1 and when least expected2 and are not confined to jumping1 for some of the worst falls have happened on the flat4 ,i remember ,captain ,king-,king breaking three ribs and a collar-bone--a pretty good dose in one gulp--by his mount coming down with him on the flat when hunting in ,leicestershire4 ,the late ,whyte ,melville met his death by a similar accident2 and poor ,archbishop ,wilberforce was killed while quietly hacking1 by his horse putting his foot in a hole and throwing him on his head4 ,unfortunately1 we are unable to learn the art of falling correctly1 because we have only one neck1 and1 if we break that1 our experiments must abruptly cease4 ,we may1 however1 minimise the danger of its fracture by leaning well back at our fences1 and by ducking our chins into our chests when we feel ourselves coming the inevitable cropper4 ,the worst kind of fall is when a horse breasts a stiff fence and either turns a complete somersault1 or falls violently on to his head4 ,in the former case1 the accident generally means severe internal injuries1 to say the least of it2 in the latter1 a broken collar-bone or concussion of the brain4 ,such bad accidents are happily rare2 for1 if a horse can jump1 he will certainly do his best to clear an obstacle with his fore legs1 and if he catches his hind ones and comes down1 our chances of either being killed1 or crippled for life1 are far smaller4 ,in ,leicestershire ,i once saw a stranger send his mount at a posts and rails fence about five feet high1 which the animal breasted and went over with a sickening fall2 but ,i could not help thinking that the man must have been either riding a hireling1 or must have imagined that his horse was a wonderful jumper to have sent him at such a forbidding thing1 especially as it had been avoided by the first flight people1 and what they can't jump1 strangers may be perfectly certain ought to be left alone4 ,in this case1 the animal1 which may have been easily able to take the jump1 went at it unwillingly1 for he saw it was not the line taken by other horses1 and he was doubtless annoyed at being asked to incur what must have appeared to him an unnecessary risk4 ,a similar thing occurred when a well-known ,leicestershire lady broke her collar-bone4 ,horses were filing through the gate1 and the lady1 who was anxious to get forward1 put her horse at a stiff posts and rails by the side of it4 ,he apparently regarded the act as unnecessary1 for he went at it in a half-hearted fashion1 struck the fence1 fell1 and hurt his rider4 ,it is the custom to say that the first flight people who ride safely over ,leicestershire are mounted on the best horses that money can buy2 but at the same time1 we should remember that they seldom deceive their mounts by asking them to jump anything which is either impossible or unnecessary4 ,mr4 ,hedworth ,barclay1 who is one of the finest horsemen in ,leicestershire1 always rides with great judgment4 ,if he did not1 he would not have been safely carried for fourteen seasons by his brilliant hunter ,freeman1 and for an almost equally long time by ,lord ,arthur and ,franciscan4 ,a great deal of ignorant nonsense has been written about people 7and even horses67 taking their own line1 but such scribes ought to go to ,leicestershire and show how that can be done6 ,ladies who try to follow the teaching of such people1 do so at great personal risk2 for it is absurd for a stranger1 however well she may ride or be mounted1 to think that she can safely take her own line over an unknown country1 and especially such a one as ,leicestershire1 which is in many parts entirely unjumpable4 ,as it requires several seasons to learn the lie of the land1 most people wisely prefer to hunt in a county they know4 ,some ladies make a great boast of their numerous falls4 ,one recently told me that she had had fourteen croppers in a hunting season2 but when ,i hear such talk1 ,i cannot help thinking that there is something radically wrong with their riding1 for our best horsewomen very seldom fall4 ,i have noticed that horses have been staked in hunting1 through being taken sideways instead of straight1 at their fences4 ,it is most dangerous to ride an animal in this manner2 because1 if he makes a mistake and falls1 he will come down on his side and may roll over on to his rider in his efforts to regain his feet4 ,we may observe that when a horse is lying on his side he invariably makes a preparatory half roll in rising from that position4 ,the first thing to do when a horse comes down1 is to try to get clear as soon as possible1 and to let go the reins1 unless the rider can retain them without any risk4 ,she is so encumbered by her skirt1 even if it is only an apron1 that she will probably get kicked or trodden on1 if she hangs on to the reins4 ,scrutator wisely remarks that so long as there is a chance of holding him together1 the pigskin should not be abandoned1 but when that chance is gone1 by your horse's fore-legs getting into the ditch on the other side1 throw yourself clear of him to avoid a pommelling4 ,in such times of difficulty and danger1 a lady should remember to leave her horse's mouth alone1 and not frighten him1 at a moment when her life may depend on his remaining quiet4 ,whatever happens1 she should never utter a startled cry1 for that will do no good and may lead to disastrous results4 ,professor ,sample1 the ,american ,horse ,tamer1 once found himself underneath a cart1 while breaking a horse to harness with the long reins4 ,enveloped as he was in his driving reins1 a bad accident might have resulted if he had not kept his presence of mind1 while his faithful ,jo1 whom he called to his assistance as if nothing had happened1 came and helped him out of his dangerous position4 ,he then turned to the audience and calmly told them that he was showing them how not to do it6 ,when a lady gets a bad fall out hunting1 and we see her attended by men only1 we should at once go to her assistance1 whether we know her or not2 because it is always better for a woman to have one of her own sex to help her and1 if necessary1 unloosen any garments which are matters that men know nothing about4 ,,chapter ,,xvii4 ,,riding ,,and ,,hunting ,,abroad4 ,i now turn to the pleasant subject of riding and hunting abroad1 with special reference to ,india1 where almost all our fellow countrymen and women ride and own horses4 ,even in lonely up-country stations which contain only a few white residents1 gymkhanas are often got up by officers who train and ride their own horses and ponies4 ,nothing seems to give these good sportsmen greater pleasure than lending their equine favourites to their lady friends4 ,therefore1 a visitor who is fond of riding1 need never be at a loss for a mount1 as ,i found during my four years' residence in that hospitable land4 ,i can truly say that ,i did not understand what real hospitality is1 until ,i went to ,india1 and shall always remember the great kindnesses my husband and ,i received from ,native ,princes4 ,for instance1 the late ,maharajah of ,vizianagram1 who was devoted to horses1 invited us to visit him1 placed a furnished house1 servants1 horses1 carriages1 food1 wines and every other comfort at our disposal1 and considered our month's stay much too short4 ,ladies in ,india who ride1 obtain so much practice as a rule on various kinds of animals1 that they soon become expert horsewomen4 ,it is the custom there to ride twice a day3 ,in the early morning after choti haziri 7little breakfast71 which usually consists of a cup of tea1 a boiled egg1 bread and butter2 and in the evening4 ,there is no law of trespass in ,india1 and it is delightful to canter for miles while sharing the freedom of the ,son of the ,desert who is carrying you4 ,there is nothing like these lonely scampers as a cure for petty worries1 for you can put them so far behind you1 that on your return you have forgotten their existence4 ,calcutta is an ideal riding city1 with its beautiful maidan 7plain71 where there are miles of springy turf for galloping1 a large race-course with well-kept training and hacking tracks1 and hurdles for those who desire jumping practice4 ,there is also a ,red ,road1 which is the ,rotten ,row of the place1 for afternoon hacking among the beauty and fashion1 so what more could the heart of man or woman desire8 ,during the misnamed cold weather1 women who are fond of cross country work1 can ride once a week over made fences in the paperchases4 ,the course is usually about three miles long1 well supplied with fences1 chiefly hurdles and stiff mud walls from three feet six to four feet six high4 ,as the start takes place at about seven in the morning1 and as the meets are some distance from the town1 the devotees of sport have to be up at about five o'clock1 dress by lamplight1 send on their chasers1 and drive or hack to the trysting place4 ,two hares carry the paper in bags slung across their shoulders and receive a quarter of an hour's grace in which to plant their burden1 where they know the coloured slips will take some finding4 ,the hares ride over the fences1 and by distributing their landmarks sparsely and in places where their pursuers can follow only in single file1 they often make it difficult for the leading division to keep the line4 ,those who over-run the paper1 of course imperil their chance of being among the first six1 which is the number of placed horses in these paperchase records4 ,a writer in ,ladies in the ,field1 while discussing this form of sport1 says3 ,any old screw1 country-bred pony or short-shouldered ,arab may be brought out on these occasions4 ,that author evidently had no experience of ,calcutta paperchasing1 because a horse for this work must not only be a fast galloper and clever jumper1 but also must have a good mouth and temper1 and be fit and well4 ,in fact1 the ideal paperchaser is a cross between a steeplechaser and a hunter1 for he has to possess the speed and quick jumping qualities of the former1 and the amiability and brains of the latter4 ,unless a lady has such a mount1 it will be almost impossible for her to secure a coveted place among the first half dozen4 ,also1 there are so many horses1 say1 forty or more1 all galloping at the same fences1 which are not broad enough for a quarter of that number to take abreast4 ,consequently1 those behind have to see that the coast is clear1 before they can proceed4 ,falls frequently occur1 but serious accidents are happily rare4 ,it is true that two men have been killed in these chases2 but although ladies have taken part in them since the early days when that fine horsewoman1 ,mrs4 ,jim ,cook1 set the example1 ,i have not heard of any woman getting badly hurt4 ,mrs4 ,cook1 who was known in ,india as the ,mem ,sahib1 holds the record of being the only woman who has won the ,paperchase ,cup when competing against men4 ,she won in #ahha1 was the only lady in about twenty starters1 and her mount was appropriately named ,champion4 ,the late ,lord ,william ,beresford was second1 and ,general ,cook1 her husband1 was third4 ,after ,i left ,india1 ,lord ,william gave a cup to be competed for by ladies only1 which must have acted as a strong stimulant to those who had vainly tried to beat the mere male4 ,mrs4 ,murray was a most plucky rider1 and made more than one good bid for the ,paperchase ,cup1 which she well deserved to win4 ,i had a very good ,australian horse named ,terence1 by ,talk of the ,hills1 which got placed in these chases1 but when ,i hoped to do great things with him1 ,i got typhoid fever and exchanged my residence to the ,general ,hospital4 ,the first time ,i took ,terence1 who was a beautiful jumper1 to a paperchase1 two horses fell in front of him at the first jump4 ,a horse ridden by that good sportswoman1 ,mrs4 ,saunders1 refused a hurdle in front of us1 and ,terence followed suit4 ,after ,i had got him sailing away again1 a horse ridden by ,mr4 ,garth1 a well known horseman1 fell over a big blind ditch just in front of ,terence1 who luckily cleared the lot4 ,captain ,turner was walking about minus horse and hat1 and that famous ,g4,r41 ,captain ,ding ,macdougal1 had a nasty purl4 ,in fact1 that chase was a chapter of accidents4 ,mr4 ,tougal1 who had helped to lay the paper1 told me afterwards that two of the unbreakable mud walls were four feet three inches high1 which is a very formidable height1 considering that the horses had to jump out of deep mud4 ,that chase took place on #bnd ,january1 #ahij1 and ,i think it was a far higher test of 'cross country cleverness1 than hunters in the shires have to go through4 ,mr4 ,clark1 who lived and paperchased for several years in ,calcutta1 and who was a large horse dealer in ,hilmorton1 near ,rugby1 tells me that he frequently measured the mud walls which were built for these chases1 and often found them full five feet high4 ,the large majority of horses ridden in these events are well bred ,australians1 which1 taking them all round1 are the best jumpers ,i have ever seen4 ,some country-breds are fine fencers1 but ,arabs1 delightful as they are for hacking1 rarely distinguish themselves across country4 ,the ,calcutta natives were always on the look-out for squalls1 like the ,irish wreckers of olden days4 ,it was no uncommon sight to see a black man1 with nothing on but a kummerbund1 running away to his lair1 with a stirrup leather1 hat1 or even a pair of spurs belonging to some dethroned sportsman4 ,the horse ridden by ,mrs4 ,saunders in the paperchase ,i have alluded to1 was a powerful ,waler which1 according to his importer1 ,mr4 ,macklin1 had won nearly all the jumping prizes in ,australia6 ,he had evidently been spoiled at the competition business1 like many other horses1 for despite the careful handling of his mistress1 he was useless as a paperchaser4 ,we had1 while living at ,melton ,mowbray1 a black ,irish horse which also had won prizes at show jumping1 but he was a most determined refuser in the open1 and had many other tricks of temper1 so we soon got rid of him4 ,on off days1 during the cold weather in ,calcutta1 ,mr4 ,milton1 who was a dealer and owner of large livery stables1 used to invite the riding community to hunt jackals with his bobbery pack4 ,the meet took place at the stables before daylight1 and the hounds were carried to covert in a sort of water-cart4 ,they were a most ferocious lot1 to judge by the scuffling1 squealing and snarling that took place en route4 ,when they were let out1 they appeared to lose their heads2 the greyhounds1 whippets1 fox-terriers1 bull-terriers1 pariahs and nondescripts scampering off in various directions and requiring a good deal of keeping in order4 ,naturally1 the greyhounds and whippets did the coursing1 and having sighted a jack1 they soon put an end to him4 ,our huntsman's chief anxiety1 as far as ,i could see1 was to arrive in time to secure a bit of the prey for the small fry4 ,it was very interesting to watch the work of these hounds1 and to note that the small terriers used their noses to advantage1 and often put their speedier companions on the right track4 ,i had many enjoyable scampers with ,mr4 ,milton's bobbery pack1 which ,i believe is still going strong in the ,city of ,palaces4 ,at ,lucknow1 paperchasing was nearly allied to steeplechasing1 for the course was flagged1 and there was no paper to disturb the galloping4 ,few ladies took part in those functions1 but ,i enjoyed my gallop on ,mr4 ,mc,andrew's pony1 ,suffolk ,punch1 which1 after floundering a bit at the double1 came down at the last fence1 luckily without damaging either of us4 ,the great drawback to the paperchasing at the capital of ,oudh1 was the blinding dust which was raised by the leading animals1 and which almost obscured the fences in front of their followers4 ,as ,i was only on a pony1 all ,i could see in front of me was flitting shadows in a brown fog1 so ,i left everything to my game little mount1 who was galloping his hardest4 ,for the same reason1 dust thrown up by the leaders1 is not unfrequently the cause of accidents at steeplechasing in ,india4 ,near ,bombay and ,mozufferpore1 jackals are hunted during the cold season by foxhounds sent out from ,england4 ,in #ahhi1 ,mr4 ,rowland ,hudson1 ,master of the ,mozufferpore pack1 had seventeen couple of foxhounds1 nine of which were supplied by himself1 and eight by subscription4 ,these hounds were selected by the late ,tom ,firr1 from the ,quorn1 ,cottesmore1 and ,pytchley1 and they accounted for fifteen brace of jackals from ,november to ,march1 hunting only two days a week1 and after having had several good runs4 ,foxhounds stand the heat of ,india badly1 and most of them out there die of liver disease1 despite the precaution taken of sending them to the hills during the hot months4 ,at ,singapore1 drag-hunting provides good sport in which ladies participate1 and show their fine horsewomanship to admiring friends1 when the run finishes over the fences on the racecourse4 ,at ,shanghai we can go paperchasing on ,china 7,mongolian7 ponies1 which1 despite their want of pace and somewhat three-cornered appearance1 are very clever over bad ground4 ,the ladies whom ,i had the pleasure of meeting in ,shanghai1 like those in ,india1 were all devoted to riding1 and ,i had many merry scampers across country with them4 ,in the country round ,tientsin1 we had often to jump over ponderous coffins1 for ,john ,chinaman has a provoking way of omitting to bury his relations1 after he has stowed them away in their long homes4 ,having to stay for a month at ,suez1 ,i was greatly disappointed to find no better mounts than the very knowing ,egyptian donkeys4 ,as ,i had never ridden that kind of animal before1 ,i sent my syce1 ,motee1 to hire a couple for the day4 ,to my surprise1 the donkey owner came to tell me that ,i could not ride any of his animals unless he accompanied me6 ,i assured him that ,i was capable of managing an ass1 and would take every care of the beast entrusted to me4 ,he smiled1 apparently at my presumption1 and as ,i saw that he would not let me have my way1 ,i consented to the infliction of his company4 ,at the appointed time he appeared on foot1 leading two mokes and armed with a long thick stick4 ,as he was evidently going to walk1 ,i whispered to ,motee to gallop after me as hard as he could1 and give the stick man the slip4 ,this ,i found far easier said than done1 because my donkey utterly ignored my commands1 even when they were backed up by force1 and would take orders only from his master4 ,i saw the man trying to conceal a smile1 as ,i whacked my placid mount with the energy of one who meant business1 so impatiently asked him if he had fulfilled the promise he had given ,motee to bring me his best donkeys4 ,he assured me that ,i was sitting on the back of ,mrs4 ,langtry1 who was well known as the fastest animal in ,suez1 and by far the handsomest4 ,he said he had ,mrs4 ,cornwallis ,west1 ,ellen ,terry1 ,mary ,anderson1 ,mrs4 ,kendal1 and other good mounts2 but ,mrs4 ,langtry was the pick of the basket for speed and endurance4 ,i asked the name of ,motee's moke1 which he said was his next best one1 and found that it was called ,mr4 ,gladstone6 ,the pair were excellent friends1 and insisted on walking side by side1 although ,motee did all he could to keep ,mr4 ,gladstone behind4 ,disliking this aspect of affairs1 ,i dealt ,motee's mount a couple of sharp cuts with my whip over the quarters1 with the object of inducing him to set the pace4 ,this resulted in such high kicking on the part of ,mr4 ,gladstone1 that ,motee nearly fell off1 and the man behind ran up yelling in such an angry tone1 that ,i almost feared he would chastise me in a similar manner4 ,he cooled down and then patronisingly told me that when ,i had grown older and had gained more experience in riding1 ,i would not be guilty of cruelty to dumb animals4 ,having failed in my tactics1 and paid for my ride1 ,i resigned all further activity in the proceedings1 and submitted to having the speed of my mount regulated by the stick from behind4 ,when pursued1 ,mrs4 ,langtry would go off with a rush1 pausing at intervals to listen for footsteps behind1 and assure herself that the stick man was well out of reach4 ,once she relapsed into a dreamy reverie1 and so far forgot herself as to allow her owner to wake her up with a tremendous whack1 which sent her flying with such force that ,i was nearly jerked out of the saddle4 ,our destination was the ,first ,castle1 and ,i was glad to turn homewards4 ,motee did not appear to have enjoyed his share of the joke1 for he looked very angrily at the donkey man as he removed my saddle1 and said3 ,dis no good ponies1 ,mem ,sahib1 plenty tamasha4 ,that evening when ,i was recounting my adventures at dinner1 ,count ,carlo ,sanminiatelli1 who was staying at the same hotel1 asked me in ,french if ,i was fond of riding4 ,on hearing my reply1 he at once placed at my disposal nearly three hundred remounts which were to be shipped later on to ,massowah4 ,these horses belonged to the ,italian ,government1 which was expecting a row with ,king ,john of ,abyssinia4 ,after that1 ,motee and ,i used to disappear for hours in the desert every day1 and we wended our way back to the hotel1 only when the pangs of hunger forced us to do so4 ,we would try sometimes as many as fifteen animals in a day1 and ,i took the numbers of those which were nice to ride4 ,in a very short time ,i had a list of more than a dozen of the nicest horses1 which ,i intended to keep for my own hacking4 ,as most of them had been accustomed to the barbarous ,mameluke bit1 which is used in ,egypt1 they took very kindly to my snaffle4 ,the desert is a grand place for trying experiments with horses2 for in it there is nothing to frighten or distract their attention from their work1 and if one does happen to get a spill1 the falling is very soft4 ,as soon as the news of my doings became noised abroad in ,suez1 the riding men mustered in great force and borrowed several of the horses ,i had passed as quiet4 ,it was amusing to see some of the horsemen sending all over the place to borrow a saddle1 and in a couple of days we all met for a ride4 ,one of the ladies rode very well1 but she would not try any of the remounts1 as she had her own ,arab4 ,there was seldom such excitement in ,suez before1 the lawn tennis ground became quite deserted1 and everyone seemed to have gone riding mad4 ,coursing steinbok with greyhounds used to be a popular sport in ,south ,africa1 but when my husband and ,i were in ,kimberley in #ahib1 ,mr4 ,fenn was establishing a pack of foxhounds4 ,i fear the ,jameson ,raid and its dire results have sadly disturbed the harmony of that sporting community4 ,i cannot help thinking that the ,germans are more devoted to riding than any other ,continental nation4 ,i have not hunted in ,germany1 as ,i was there only during the summer2 but ,i sold a good hunter to a ,german ,count who was a fine horseman and a ,master of ,foxhounds4 ,he told me that a large number of ladies hunted with his pack4 ,i was particularly struck with the immense size and beauty of the riding schools in ,berlin4 ,in the ,berliner ,tattersall there are three large riding schools1 and ,i seldom went there without seeing some ladies on horseback4 ,in the largest riding school there is a gallery1 a refreshment room1 reading room1 several dressing rooms1 a bandstand1 and seating accommodation for hundreds of people4 ,the proprietor told me that in the winter months when the weather is too bad for outside riding1 ladies ride in the schools1 and various entertainments are given4 ,i saw a large number of ladies riding in the ,tiergarten1 although it was out of the season1 and ,i expected to find the ride as empty as ,rotten ,row in the winter months4 ,as ,i went there before eight in the morning1 our ,german cousins must be early risers4 ,on the last occasion we visited the ,tiergarten1 we were on our way home from ,russia1 and1 having a couple of hours to wait for our train1 we strolled into the delightful wooded ride4 ,it was about half-past seven on a cold ,march morning1 and almost the first people ,i saw there were the ,kaiser and the ,kaiserin1 so ,i no longer marvelled at ,german ladies' taste for early rising4 ,when ,i was in the ,bois de ,boulogne last season1 it was greatly frequented as usual1 but it struck me that fewer women ride there now than formerly1 and that motor cars have absorbed their attention4 ,although the riding schools of ,paris are not to be compared to those of ,berlin1 the worst of them is far superior to the two miserable civilian riding schools in ,st4 ,petersburg1 where riding is almost entirely a military function4 ,very few ,russian women ride1 although history tells us that ,peter ,,iii4 kept a pack of hounds1 and that his wife1 ,catherine ,,ii41 according to her memoirs1 listened to the loving solicitations of ,soltikov while they were riding together to find the dogs4 ,a saddle belonging to this amorous lady1 which ,i saw at the ,hermitage1 was like an ,australian buck-jumping saddle1 with large knee rolls and a high cantle4 ,it was covered with red velvet and decorated with cowrie shells4 ,the side saddle appears to have been first used in ,russia by the daughters of the ,emperor ,paul4 ,the ,duchess of ,newcastle1 writing in ,ladies in the ,field1 on the untidy slipshod way the riders are often turned out in ,rotten ,row1 terms this state of things a disgrace to a country which is considered to have the best horses and riders in the world1 and wonders what foreigners must think of the sorry spectacle4 ,this floppy untidyness of riding dress appears to have been introduced by the new woman4 ,twenty years ago1 top hats and perfectly fitting habits were de rigueur2 but now neither horses nor riders are so well trained for park hacking as they were in those days4 ,the ,duchess also points out that it is as cheap to be clean as dirty1 and there is no reason why the horses should not be groomed1 and their bits burnished4 ,,chapter ,,xviii4 ,,walking ,,foxhound ,,puppies4 ,i believe ,i am correct in stating that no woman who has ever hunted1 professes any other feeling than that of ardent admiration for the hounds which provide her with sport2 but ,i would like to see this admiration take1 among hunting women1 the more practical form of walking hunt puppies1 in whose future well-being they should have a keen personal interest4 ,there are two maiden ladies in ,ireland1 who1 although they have never hunted1 and are long past the age at which they are likely to do so1 always1 from sheer love of sport1 walk a couple of foxhound puppies for their district hunt4 ,we want1 ,i think1 more of this sporting ,irish feeling among our sex1 for ,i am sure that apart from all other considerations1 a hunting woman would find more to interest her in the rearing and training of a foxhound puppy1 whose career she could literally follow1 than in spending money and time in clothing and nursing a useless pug or toy terrier4 ,there is no more intelligent and charming companion for a woman than a young foxhound1 who appears to be able to do everything but speak1 and even that he can do in a mute way1 for when he is greatly troubled1 he cries like a human being1 with real tears4 ,i am thinking as ,i write of a young ,cottesmore pup ,i was walking at ,melton ,mowbray who1 when a friend accidentally trod on his foot1 came yelping up to me for sympathy with big tears rolling down his face4 ,when ,i picked up this heavy lump of dog and soothed him1 he at once stopped his yelping and his tears like a child4 ,mr4 ,otho ,paget in his interesting book1 ,hunting1 says1 ,the whole future success of your breeding hounds rests on being able to get good walks1 and in order to ensure such success1 he advises generosity in the matter of prize giving at the annual puppy show and the luncheon on that occasion1 to be as smart and festive as you can make it4 ,mr4 ,paget considers that the ideal home for a puppy is a farmhouse2 but even if this statement were correct--which ,i greatly doubt1 seeing the poverty of many farmers and the neglected state of their own domestic animals--few farmers walk foxhound puppies even in classic ,leicestershire4 ,when a large landowner1 good sportsman and lover of hunting like the late ,duke of ,rutland1 makes an agreement with his tenant-farmers1 to walk puppies1 the work is certain to be carried out in a give and take manner which will cement good feeling between both parties1 and will promote sport2 but the practice which obtains in some badly managed hunts of sending a whipper-in to dump down his cartload of puppies on any people who will consent to take them1 is not only akin to cadging1 but is also productive of many cases of neglect which ought to come before the notice of the ,society for the ,prevention of ,cruelty to ,animals4 ,instead of deputing servants to dispose of young hounds in this casual manner1 the ,master or his ,secretary should approach the residents of the district1 and either personally1 or by writing1 arrange with them to walk puppies1 so that they may be prepared to receive their young charges4 ,also1 the ,master or ,secretary should visit the puppies at walk occasionally1 as such practical interest taken in their welfare1 would tend to encourage the walker in her by no means easy task of rearing the youngsters4 ,mr4 ,otho ,paget's advice as to prize giving and a sumptuous lunch hardly1 ,i think1 meets the requirements of the case4 ,we can dismiss the lunch1 as very few of my sex care for smart and festive feeding1 and as far as the prizes go for their trouble and expense with the animals1 what is the use of judging puppies six months after they have returned from walk8 ,the poor1 neglected1 half-starved animal who goes back to kennels all skin and bone may1 if he be a well-shaped hound1 show up better at the time of judging1 than those who were returned full of good food and in hard exercise1 but who may have lost in condition by fretting1 or by having to live on shorter rations than before4 ,some puppies1 as ,i know from experience1 have either died during the six months' interval1 or have been drafted to another pack4 ,therefore it would be far more satisfactory and encouraging to puppy walkers for the judging to be on a day fixed for them to take their young charges to the kennels4 ,in bygone days when country squires lived on their land and their tenants were under contract to walk puppies1 the present arrangement no doubt answered well enough1 because it was to the tenant's interest to do his best to please his landlord2 but times have changed since then4 ,the large majority of people who hunt nowadays1 rent hunting boxes for the season1 and take so little interest in country life that they fly off to town on the first appearance of frost1 and are not seen again until the land is fit to be ridden over4 ,when the season ends1 they disappear till the following one4 ,few of them know any of the resident farmers or inhabitants of hunting centres even by sight1 or want to know them4 ,this snobbish exclusiveness is very harmful to the interests of hunting1 because the farmers are under no obligation to them--quite the reverse--and a farmer can1 if he likes1 refuse to allow them to ride over his land4 ,therefore1 when hunting people show farmers no civility1 the agriculturists naturally do not care to go to the trouble and expense of walking hunt puppies1 as several farmers have told me1 unless they are given a better inducement to do so than present arrangements offer4 ,then again1 in judging puppies returned from walk1 supposing the judging takes place at once1 as it should do1 only the condition of the puppies1 and not their points should be taken into consideration2 for the walker usually has to take any puppies that are given to him1 and as he does not breed them1 he cannot be held responsible for any defects which may be in their make and shape4 ,the hunt puppy-show ought to be a function entirely apart from the walkers' show1 and until this is done1 the unfortunate puppies will continue to be dumped down on any stranger who will consent to take them4 ,i cannot help thinking that the great mortality which takes place every season among young hounds1 might be considerably lessened if the various hunts were to send out with the puppies1 for the benefit of inexperienced walkers1 a pamphlet or card of printed instructions concerning their feeding and general management4 ,they should also request the walker to report any case of sickness1 and should at once despatch a competent veterinary surgeon to investigate such cases and prescribe for the young patients4 ,the inexperienced puppy walker1 in her anxiety to get her charges strong1 often gorges them to repletion with raw meat even before they have got any permanent teeth1 which is as absurd as feeding an infant on raw steak4 ,we know not how young hounds contract distemper1 but they cannot be prevented in their daily walks from eating offal1 and if the germs of the disease are taken into their bodies in this way1 the hound whose system has been weakened by heating and unsuitable food will seldom recover4 ,i do not wish to pose as an authority on this subject and am simply giving1 for the benefit of ladies who find themselves placed in a similar predicament1 my experience1 or rather1 at this stage1 inexperience1 in walking a couple of ,cottesmore pups4 ,i tried very hard to save those pups1 nursed them night and day1 and had them in my room at night1 but both died4 ,one of them was slowly recovering1 but was so weak that he could hardly stand1 and ,i was recommended to give him some fresh meat cut up small4 ,this food occasioned a relapse1 and next day he was dead4 ,i notice that ,mr4 ,otho ,paget in his book on ,hunting recommends a little raw fresh meat for weakly pups1 but possibly he would not advocate it for one getting over distemper4 ,i attributed the death of my charges solely to improper feeding1 and have since been successful in rearing others by feeding them at first on bread and milk1 biscuits and gravy1 scraps of cooked vegetables1 and when meat has been given1 ,i have taken care to see that it has been cooked4 ,even with the greatest attention to diet and exercise1 that horror1 distemper1 has attacked them1 but they have made a good recovery4 ,at the time of writing ,i am walking a couple of ,pytchley pups1 which alas1 will soon go to their permanent home4 ,both of them have had distemper1 one in a very severe form1 accompanied by an abscess in his throat1 which prevented him from swallowing anything but beaten eggs and milk for several days4 ,his portrait 7,fig4 #ada7 shows that he has now grown into a hound1 and ,i am proud of him1 for all of the ,pytchley pups of the first1 or spring batch1 which were distributed in this village died of distemper with the exception of my couple4 ,my pups must have contracted the disease from a neighbouring farmer's dog who died of it in great agony with an abscess in his throat4 ,possibly the adoption of some kind of muzzle would prevent puppies from eating diseased matter4 ,illustration3 ,fig4 #ada4--,pytchley puppy1 ,mottley4 ,my belief in the necessity of giving hounds cooked meat and rigorously abjuring it in a raw state1 excited ridicule here1 but when the good result of such faddy feeding was proved by the healthy condition of the animals1 the unbelievers acknowledged themselves converted4 ,mills1 in his ,life of a ,foxhound1 tells us that ,ringwood1 who appears to have been a fine hound1 was brought up solely on sweet milk1 meal and broth2 but ,i find that pups in hard exercise want a generous supply of cooked paunch as well as bones for the development of their teeth1 and that if they are blown out with sloppy food1 their internal arrangements become disorganized4 ,besides1 a hound cannot gallop on meal alone4 ,one of the greatest difficulties with which puppy walkers in small villages have to contend1 is in obtaining an adequate supply of paunches and bones1 for country butchers do not kill many animals in the week1 as there is little sale for meat4 ,the average villager purchases a joint for his ,sunday's dinner1 which either lasts the whole week1 or is supplemented by scraps of meat1 or even a bone pie6 ,an ox paunch is of course dressed and sold as tripe1 all sorts of pork scraps are made up into brawn1 mutton ditto into faggots1 so that there is very little left for the foxhound puppies4 ,during the hot summer months it is best to give pups very little cooked meat1 but plenty of cooked vegetables1 biscuit1 house scraps of bread1 c41 and in cold weather the first meal of the day should1 if possible1 be given warm1 or mixed with warm milk1 for when young animals are cold and hungry1 it is a good thing to warm their little insides4 ,all meat should be given cut up4 ,when feeding hounds on remains of fish1 care should be taken to remove large bones1 which are very apt to choke them4 ,if puppies are shut up at night in a barn or loose box1 their abode should be cleaned out every morning1 and any soiled straw removed4 ,attention should be paid to the thawing of their drinking water during severe weather4 ,after they have got their teeth and begin to snarl over their bones1 it is best to feed them in separate tins1 or the stronger and greedier of the two will get far more than his fair share1 even if he allows his pal to have any at all4 ,i have found ordinary large sized baking tins useful for feeding purposes1 as crockery is liable to get smashed4 ,it is a good plan to have a system of regular feeding morning and evening2 for puppies1 like children1 thrive better on regular meals than when they are picking and nipping all day4 ,a constant supply of fresh water should be always at hand for their use4 ,for ladies who attend personally to the wants of their canine friends1 ,messrs4 ,d4 ,h4 ,evans1 of ,oxford ,street1 have registered a kennel coat1 which ,i think will fill a want4 ,they have adopted my suggestions respecting its make and shape1 and have made it in mud-coloured washing material1 as that tint looks less unsightly when soiled than white1 which is worn by kennel huntsmen4 ,a protection of this kind for the dress is needed in tending dogs1 and ,i have found it a very serviceable garment4 ,fig4 #adb shows the front view of this coat2 and ,fig4 #adc1 the back view4 ,illustration3 ,fig4 #adb4--;,front view of ,kennel ,coat4 ,another point to remember in the management of puppies is never to wash them4 ,i believe every experienced hound man will bear me out in attributing many tiresome ailments to the bath tub4 ,hounds can be kept perfectly clean by careful brushing1 and their coats will show a gloss and polish that no bathing can give4 ,it is not unusual to find mange in pups fresh from kennel1 and care should be taken that the brush is not used on the affected animal4 ,i found that applications of paraffin and salad oil1 in equal parts of each1 quickly cured mange1 and that the hair on the coat grew thick and appeared to be greatly benefited by the lotion4 ,although pills are supplied by some hunts to be given to pups who are off their feed1 it is no easy task for a woman1 or even man1 to induce an animal to swallow one1 and the struggles of the terrified youngster who objects to the pill1 often make it do more harm than good4 ,that safe old medicine1 castor oil1 is generally at hand1 and a puppy will lap a spoonful or two in milk without making a fuss4 ,my experience of dog doctoring has been practically limited to castor oil1 except during distemper1 when five grains of quinine have been given daily with beneficial results4 ,the best way to give this medicine is to mix it with a small piece of butter and spread this ointment on a piece of cheese1 which will be eagerly gobbled up1 as all hounds appear to like cheese4 ,the pups should have plenty of clean dry straw for their bedding1 and boards are far safer and more comfortable for them to lie on than bricks1 which are always more or less cold and damp4 ,each pup selects his own spot for his bed1 which he arranges to his liking1 and if plenty of straw be given1 he will burrow under it in very cold weather and thus keep himself warm4 ,there is certain to be one pup which we like best1 but no favouritism should be shown outwardly1 as it breeds envy1 hatred and malice1 and all bow-wows are afflicted with jealousy4 ,it is best if possible to take two pups1 as a lone hound is miserable without a playmate1 and if he has no one to play with1 he will be almost sure to get into mischief4 ,one will want to boss the other1 but they can generally be left to settle their own quarrels4 ,in every pack there is a master hound who rules the roost1 but if he degenerates into an intolerable bully1 he may1 not improbably1 be killed and eaten by the others1 an occurrence which ,mr4 ,mills tells us took place in ,mr4 ,conyer's kennel at ,copthall1 ,essex4 ,illustration3 ,fig4 #adc4--;,back view of ,kennel ,coat4 ,next to feeding1 the most important thing in puppy walking is exercise4 ,foxhounds have to know how to gallop1 and therefore the young hound requires training4 ,it is both cruel and useless to keep a healthy pup shut up in a stable or yard and afford him no opportunity of learning his work4 ,as soon as the young ones settle down in their new home1 they may be taken out for short walks1 in order to accustom them to pass traffic1 and if possible they should have a steady old dog to lead them2 for even the placid cow coming home to be milked1 will prove an object of terror to them and probably cause them to bolt home4 ,with the exercise of patience and kindness1 such fearsome journeys will soon be made with safety1 and moving objects will cease to be regarded2 in fact a bold hound will be likely to prove far too venturesome1 and his hair-breadth escapes from being run over will occasion much anxiety4 ,after the pups have got accustomed to getting out of the way of fast traffic1 it is excellent training for them to learn to follow a bicycle1 ,fig4 #add2 but the rider must go slowly at first and only short distances1 in order not to overtax the strength of the young hounds4 ,a good rule is to slow down when the animals lag behind1 and if they show any signs of fatigue1 and are not stopping merely to make investigations1 it is time to go slowly home4 ,they will soon be able to gallop as fast as any ordinary rider can safely steer her bicycle1 and will sometimes show their freshness and play1 by catching hold of her skirt with their teeth1 as once happened to me and gave me a fall4 ,foxhounds are however so intelligent that the animal who playfully caused my discomfiture1 looked sorrowfully at me as ,i lay sprawled out with my machine on the ground1 and ,i feel sure that when ,i reproached him1 he understood the drift of my remarks1 for he never afterwards attempted to touch my skirt1 though he has often come bumping into me1 when flying for protection from some imaginary enemy4 ,it is impossible to be really angry with these most affectionate irresponsible beings1 for they are brimful of the exuberance of youth1 and if they roll over each other in the middle of the road just under the front wheel1 it is advisable to try and get out of the way4 ,a good plan when this road playing begins is to keep the break going1 ready for happenings4 ,riding with pups is excellent practice in bicycle control6 ,from bicycle exercise we passed to the higher stage of taking out the pups with horses1 but ,i regret we did not continue the bicycle training1 because one day the bolder hound of the two 7,fig4 #ade71 who had several narrow escapes by reason of his insane propensity for running into the middle of the road and jumping up at the muzzle of an advancing horse1 met with a serious accident1 to wit1 a fractured fore leg4 ,i was not present when it occurred1 but ,i had often ridden out with this hound1 whose vagaries in the matter of jumping up at my horse's muzzle or playfully biting his hocks1 frequently necessitated my riding at a walk4 ,the animals who were ridden with these hounds were quiet1 insomuch as they never attempted to kick them when all were loose in a paddock1 or when ridden2 but ,i even the quietest horse in the world is apt to show annoyance if very great liberties are taken with his person by either man or hound4 ,my experience teaches me to remember this fact and not try a horse1 who is not a huntsman's mount1 too highly in this respect4 ,the more sedate pup of the two is in fine condition1 because he takes no liberties with the horses and therefore he obtains his requisite exercise2 but if ,i wanted a bold1 generous1 dashing foxhound who can use his nose1 swim a river or perform in brilliant style the work required in hunting1 ,i should unhesitatingly choose the bold cripple1 who ,i hope will get his leg right1 for he would certainly perform brilliantly in any hunt1 although as a show hound he would be superseded by his more sulky and indolent brother4 ,illustration3 ,fig4 #add4--,puppies with bicycle4 ,illustration3 ,fig4 #ade4--,pytchley puppy1 ,monarch4 ,as the first requisites in a foxhound are pluck and confidence1 ,i would1 in selecting a couple of pups from the usual cartload1 prefer to take from those who came and faced me boldly1 as if inquiring my business1 rather than to seek for show points among those who require to be dragged from the back of the cart for inspection4 ,many people are debarred from walking foxhound pups from the tales they have heard about their destructiveness1 but these yarns are grossly exaggerated1 for the youngsters are no worse than ordinary puppies in their desire to try their new teeth on sponges1 brushes1 boots or anything else they can procure4 ,if they are taught from the first that such things are riot1 and are given in their idle moments a bone on which to expend their energy1 they will peacefully occupy themselves with it for hours1 and after they have eaten it or as much of it as is possible to be broken off1 they will solemnly proceed to inter it for resurrection on some future occasion4 ,a young dog who has had his necessary exercise1 will prefer to sleep than to get into mischief2 but if kept idle1 he will naturally seek some means of working off his pent-up energy4 ,it is as cruel to punish a young animal for gnawing and biting inanimate objects1 as it is to strike a teething infant who is similarly prone to use his teeth on anything he can get hold of4 ,we generally supply such a child with a bone ring or something equally safe to bite2 and if we do not give a puppy a bone1 he will quickly find something for himself4 ,i have a sheep-dog pup who1 having gnawed and buried a boot in the paddock1 was brought to me for correction4 ,i gave him a good talking to and ordered him to lie down near me under the table1 where ,i believed he would be out of mischief4 ,i went on with my work and thought he was asleep1 but when ,i bent down and looked at him1 ,i found him busy at a large hole he was biting in our carpet6 ,it was all my fault--he ought to have had a bone4 ,we now come to the important question of corporal punishment1 which ,i have deferred1 as ,i hate it1 but ,i know that it is a necessary evil4 ,solomon's warning about sparing the rod is more applicable1 ,i think1 to foxhounds than to children1 for the spoilt hound has before him a fearful day of reckoning which a child may escape4 ,therefore our supposed kindness in ignoring sins of omission or commission is1 in the case of a young hound1 a cruel wrong which will assuredly cause him a great deal of suffering that timely correction on our part may avert4 ,in the first place we ought to insist on implicit obedience1 not by coaxing1 but by the whip1 for if a hound wilfully disobeys the person whom he loves as his mother1 how much less will he be inclined to obey the orders of a stranger who is his whipper-in8 ,when it is necessary to punish a glaring offence concerning which the lady walker1 who is acting the part of mentor1 has given an unheeded warning1 the offender should be well whipped by someone told off to perform this operation1 and when they fly to her for sympathy1 she should remain silent as one who knows they have been justly punished4 ,if she has to undertake these salutary thrashings herself1 she should call the hounds to her in a tone of voice which she knows they can hear1 and if1 as frequently happens1 they hesitate for a moment1 look at her and then decide to disobey her command1 she should follow them up1 still calling on them to come to her1 but now in a severer tone1 and the disobedient ones will generally falter and take refuge in any available place4 ,then is the time to punish them with a few sharp cuts of whip or cane4 ,there will be no howling1 as the pups know very well that they have transgressed1 and will show it on the way home by answering promptly when they are called4 ,pups must be punished only when they are caught in the act of disobedience2 but a sin of yesterday must never be punished to-day2 because foxhounds1 like all dogs1 have a keen sense of justice1 and only understand the meaning of punishment when it is timely administered4 ,all attempts at hunting on their own account should be rigorously repressed1 and the personal dignity of the house cats should be upheld4 ,even when the hounds are accorded the special favour of entering the house1 our pussies must be no more disturbed by them than they would be by our house dogs who sleep near the fireside with them4 ,i like to encourage hounds to visit me occasionally in the house1 as then they are1 so to speak1 on their honour1 and they so much appreciate these visits that they lie peacefully near the fire with the cats in perfect friendship1 after having carefully examined1 without touching1 everything in the room4 ,they may look and smell1 but not touch1 and as bad behaviour in this respect means instant ejection1 they soon become like visitors to a museum4 ,the worst about puppy walking is that one has to part with these delightful companions1 and that parting is a time of sorrow which we feel almost as keenly as if they were our children leaving home for the first time with all life's troubles before them4 ,,chapter ,,xix4 ,,kindness ,,to ,,horses4 ,a great deal has been said and written about bad-tempered horses1 but hardly enough anent the riders who make them sulky or irritable4 ,jorrocks' remark that the less a man knows about an 'oss1 the more he expects is perfectly true2 for such persons seem to regard horses as machines1 and are ever ready to slash them with the whip across the head1 or any other part on which they think they can inflict most pain1 and then when animals resent such cruelty1 they dub them bad-tempered brutes6 ,there are people belonging to the show-off brigade1 who punish horses without the slightest provocation1 in order to attract general attention to their fine 787 horsemanship4 ,their method is first to job the animal in the mouth1 and when he exhibits the resulting signs of irritated surprise1 to lamb him well4 ,another kind of horse-spoiler is the man who1 having been angered by some person1 vents his pent-up rage on his unfortunate mount4 ,far be it from me to call down the wrath of the lords of creation on my thin head by denouncing them all as cruel monsters1 but my experience is that1 in the majority of cases1 horses are rendered vicious by brutal treatment on the part of men4 ,a horse1 like a dog1 has a keen sense of justice2 he never forgets unmerited punishment1 but is in a constant state of nervous anxiety when ridden by a man who treats him unkindly4 ,a dog exhibits a similar feeling of distrust of a cruel master by crouching up to him when called1 instead of being delighted to see him1 and according him a frisky welcome4 ,i will give an instance of what ,i once saw a bad-tempered man do with a bird in ,india4 ,the animal was a small green parrot which the man had taught to perform a certain trick2 but ,i don't know what it was1 because the parrot did not execute it when asked to do so4 ,the owner of the bird was a very mild private individual1 who ,i thought was fond of animals1 and who asked me to see the effect of his training on this parrot4 ,he tried to get the little thing to perform1 but as it would not1 for some cause best known to itself1 he actually wrung its neck in my presence6 ,i shall never forget that incident1 because it gave me one of the greatest shocks ,i have ever experienced4 ,this was1 of course1 an exceptional case of temper1 which ,i mention only to show to what extremities a violent burst of rage may carry a sane individual4 ,we often hear of an uncontrollable temper1 but ,i believe that every man can1 if he likes1 govern his rage1 unless1 of course1 he is demented4 ,if the vast majority of so-called vicious horses could write the story of their lives1 what terrible tales of suffering and injustice they would relate6 ,a horse1 unlike a dog1 bears punishment in silence1 and any brutal creature may with impunity torture a horse1 but if he tried to hurt a dog in like degree1 the yelping of the animal would alarm the entire neighbourhood1 and be almost certain to call forth a strong remonstrance from some lover of animals whose sympathy had been excited by hearing such piteous cries4 ,people who are unacquainted with the inner life of stables1 have no idea of the brutality which many grooms and strappers inflict on the animals in their charge4 ,when we find a horse which is difficult to bridle1 owing to the objection he has to allowing his muzzle or ears to be approached by the hand of man1 we may be almost certain that this vice has been caused by the application of a twitch1 either on his upper lip1 or on one of his ears1 a method of restraint which should never be employed4 ,by laying down the law on this point of horse control1 ,i in no way pose as an authority1 but rely on what my husband1 who is a veterinary surgeon1 thinks on this matter4 ,he tells me that during the two trips which he made in #aija to ,south ,africa in veterinary charge of remounts1 he examined the mouths of over seven hundred horses and found that more than ten per cent4 of them had been permanently injured1 especially on the tongue1 by the inhuman application of twitches4 ,no one1 veterinary surgeon or layman1 is justified in using a twitch that will make the animal subsequently difficult to handle4 ,if any of my readers wish to know how a twitch can be applied without this drawback1 they should consult my husband's book1 ,illustrated ,horse ,breaking4 ,of all horses1 a good hunter which passes into the hands of an incompetent master1 is most to be pitied4 ,the wretched condition of many hunters is truly pitiable4 ,their skins1 instead of showing the glow of health1 present a dried-up1 kippered-herring appearance1 and some of the poor things have the miserable half-starved look of ,berlin cab horses1 chiefly because they live as a rule in a constant state of thirst1 owing to the objection their grooms have of allowing them a sufficiency of water to drink4 ,such parched animals will quickly tell their mistress this secret1 by loudly neighing1 if1 when she goes near their boxes or stalls1 she takes up and rattles a stable bucket4 ,this thirst torture is abominable cruelty4 ,in this country1 grooms1 as a rule1 are given a free hand in the feeding and management of horses1 with frequently disastrous results1 owing to the consequent system of commissions and tips from horse dealers1 corn dealers1 saddlers and shoeing smiths4 ,in ,india and the ,colonies1 horse-owners usually take a practical interest in the welfare of their equine servants1 which are therefore properly fed1 and have a plentiful supply of fresh water to drink4 ,almost all hunting grooms keep horses in loose boxes tied up during the day1 in order to prevent them lying down1 soiling themselves and disarranging the bedding1 which would1 of course1 entail trouble on the stable attendants4 ,to such men1 the good effect of liberty on legs and health is1 of course1 a negligible quantity4 ,it is evident that the benefit of a loose box is nullified1 if the animal in it is tied up4 ,when we visit horses in their stable and find that they exhibit terror at our approach1 we may conclude that their fear is due to bad management1 because no horse which has been kindly treated1 will show the slightest fear on being approached4 ,a class of groom whom ,i would not care to keep1 is the funky man who is continually yelling at his animals1 and thus unfits them to obey our words of command when we ride them4 ,every horse-owner1 even from a purely humane point of view1 should spare a few minutes at night before turning in1 to see that the animals have got plenty of hay and are not parched with thirst4 ,i would strongly plead for our dumb friends in this matter1 because1 on more than one occasion1 ,i have found my horses shut up for the night without bite or sup1 and by the welcome they always gave me1 ,i know they were most grateful to me for my nightly visits1 not only in neighing on hearing me speak1 but also in dutifully obeying my voice when ,i rode them4 ,if a horse1 like a dog1 gets to know that his mistress is his kindest friend1 he will do his best to please her1 and will remain steady at her command even under very great provocation to play up4 ,here again ,jorrocks' advice to know your horse comes in1 for our stable friendship with our animals establishes a bond of unity which they will always remember and appreciate4 ,horses are very sporting animals1 and the love of competition is inherent in them all1 from the hack to the steeplechaser4 ,when it is a question of a gallop1 an old nag will put his best foot foremost and try to outdistance his companion1 even though his chances of so doing may be extremely small4 ,in hunting and racing we see horses gamely struggling on1 often under severe punishment4 ,to my mind1 half the pleasure of witnessing equine competitions of speed and staying power is lost by the brutality of jockeys who1 possibly from rage and disappointment at losing a race1 often unmercifully punish their animals with whip and spurs1 even when the first three horses have passed the winning post4 ,one of the most fruitful causes of bad mouths is the practice which many servants adopt of jerking the reins1 when a horse which they are holding becomes restless1 even when the inquietude consists merely in looking at passing objects4 ,men who adopt this barbarous method of control1 never accompany the action of their hand with the voice1 and1 consequently1 the unfortunate animal does not know why he is punished4 ,he naturally connects any pressure of the mouth-piece on the bars of his mouth with the idea of pain1 from which he tries to escape by throwing up his head4 ,hence1 instead of going freely up to his bit1 and thus putting himself in touch with his rider1 he will fight against it and will be unpleasant1 if not dangerous1 to ride4 ,there have been many funny books written about horsemanship6 ,in a very incompetent book on this subject1 the author states3 ,in riding1 if a horse does not nag himself properly1 take short hold of the reins with your left hand1 lean back in the saddle1 with a light whip or stick give him three or four strokes right and left down his shoulders1 at the same time holding the reins tight so that he does not go from under you2 he will soon alter his pace4 ,that requires practice1 with nerve and judgment4 ,i think that a person who would be guilty of such a display of nerve and judgment deserves similar punishment with the whip4 ,it is in the hands of such men that horses earn the reputation of being bad-tempered4 ,this writer also tells us not to give water before feeding1 as it weakens the saliva in a horse's mouth6 ,whyte ,melville owed his success in horse management to the adoption of kind and humane methods4 ,all those who have broken and ridden young horses know how thoroughly sound is his advice3--,from the day you slip a halter over his ears he should be encouraged to look to you1 like a child1 for all his little wants and simple pleasures4 ,he should come cantering up from the farthest corner in the paddock when he hears your voice1 should ask to have his nose rubbed1 his head stroked1 his neck patted1 with those honest pleading looks which will make the confidence of a dumb creature so touching2 and before a roller has been put on his back1 or a snaffle in his mouth1 he should be convinced that everything you do to him is right1 and that it is impossible for you1 his best friend1 to cause him the least uneasiness or harm4 ,i once owned a mare that would push her nose into my pockets in search of bread and sugar1 would lick my face and hands like a dog1 or suffer me to cling to any part of her limbs and body while she stood perfectly motionless4 ,on one occasion1 when ,i hung up in the stirrup after a fall1 she never stirred on rising1 till by a succession of laborious and ludicrous efforts ,i could swing myself back into the saddle1 with my foot still fast1 though hounds were running hard1 and she loved hunting dearly in her heart4 ,as a friend remarked at the time1 ',the little mare seems very fond of you1 or there might have been a bother'6 ,now this affection was but the result of petting1 sugar1 kind and encouraging words1 particularly at her fences1 and a rigid abstinence from abuse of the bridle and the spur4 ,many animal lovers1 especially those who have had no personal experience in studying the peculiarities of our dumb servants1 consider that all horses behave well if kindly treated4 ,this belief has a certain foundation in fact1 in the case of amiable animals which appreciate good usage4 ,there are1 however1 many horses1 especially among the half-bred hackney class of riding animal1 possessed of bitter obstinacy which no amount of kindness on our part can subdue4 ,some of these animals allow us to get on their backs and carry us quietly1 so long as we permit them to proceed at their desired pace2 but as soon as we attempt to assert ourselves in this matter1 they display their sullen tempers in various ways1 either by plunging1 pulling1 or setting up other defences against our authority4 ,if we insist on our orders being obeyed1 they show fight1 or more usually a sullen nagging resistance that continues the whole time we remain on their backs1 and they carry out the same programme every time we ride them4 ,with such nasty tempered brutes1 breaking is of no avail1 for they are quiet as long as we allow them to set the pace and carry us as they like4 ,a breaker who is a good horseman and possessed of extreme tact and patience1 which of course is necessary1 may continue the fight longer than an ordinary rider cares to do1 but he can produce no permanent result1 for he is unable to give the animal a new heart4 ,therefore1 when we consider the important question of manners in a horse1 we should first learn all we can about the disposition and temper of the animal both in and out of the stable4 ,given a sound foundation to work upon1 that is to say1 a placid generous tempered horse1 we may confidently set to work in polishing up his manners as may be required1 but with the sullen brutes ,i have described1 it is a useless task4 ,we find much the same thing in some human beings4 ,george ,moore1 in his novel1 ,esther ,waters1 graphically depicts the sullen obstinacy of a low class of person who will neither lead nor drive4 ,i think that this dogged obstinacy of temper is rarely met with among thoroughbred1 or even well-bred horses1 for ,i have found it to exist in its worst form only among half-breds1 and especially among those which have hackney blood in their veins4 ,as a rule1 a bad-tempered thoroughbred does not sulk1 he fights openly1 says his say1 like an irritated master or mistress1 and1 having relieved his mind1 lets the matter drop1 and does not nurture it up for future use1 like the servants in the kitchen4 ,my advice to any lady who is trying to win the regard of a sullen brute of this class1 would be to give up the task as hopeless1 get rid of him1 and expend her kindness on an animal more worthy of it4 ,no horse that will not chum with you1 by ready obedience without asserting himself at every step he takes1 is worth his keep1 and it is no pleasure to either man or woman to ride such animals1 however excellent both the rider's temper and horsemanship may be4 ,i would recommend any lady who is about to purchase a horse1 to do her best to find out1 not only if the animal is quiet1 but if his former owner was also amiable1 and on no account to buy a horse which has been spoiled by a bad-tempered man1 or woman1 supposing that any of my sex is sour-tempered1 which ,i very much doubt1 unless1 of course1 she had been spoiled by a vicious male6 ,we should bear in mind that absolute perfection1 either among humans or equines1 is unattainable1 and1 as ,jorrocks points out3 ,if his 'oss is not so good as he might be1 let him cherish the reflection that he might have been far worse6 ,i think that the native syces of ,india1 like the ,russian ishvoshik 7cabman71 treat their equine charges with far greater sympathy and kindness than our ,english grooms and cab-drivers do4 ,in ,india we ride stallions2 my grey ,arab1 ,fig4 #g1 was an entire1 and was so kind and gentle that he was always most careful not to tread on his syce who slept in his box with him1 rolled up in a corner1 like a bundle of old clothes4 ,when ,gowlasher1 which was the man's name1 groomed him1 the pony would playfully catch his arm between his teeth and make a pretence of biting it1 but he never allowed his teeth to hurt the skin4 ,gowlasher liked to show me the funny little tricks of this animal2 but if ,freddie had attempted to touch the arm of an ,english groom1 he would have been promptly struck across the muzzle1 because his playfulness would have been misunderstood4 ,it is not the custom in this country to hunt or hack stallions1 which are often led out for exercise with two men hanging on to their heads1 both armed with stout sticks4 ,magic1 a grey ,arab entire1 which we brought home from ,india and sold to ,colonel ,walker1 of ,gateacre1 who won several pony races with him1 carried me quietly in the ,row1 and his new owner found him a very clever polo pony4 ,when passing through ,london on my return from a visit to ,russia1 we put up at an hotel in ,oxford ,street1 where the night was rendered hideous to me by the brutal slashing of cab horses2 for one hears nothing of that kind in ,russia1 and yet we ,english people pride ourselves on being a horse-loving nation6 ,the speed of ,orlov trotters is very great1 but no whip is used in driving them2 the coachmen drive with a rein in each hand1 like the drivers of ,american trotters1 and shout after the manner of firemen to clear the road1 for these animals seem to require a good deal of holding4 ,the ,russian cabby uses a small whip like an ordinary dog-whip1 which he tucks away somewhere under his seat1 and when his horse is taking things too easy1 it is only necessary for him to show it him1 for he is driven without blinkers1 to cause him to at once hasten his pace4 ,very often the man is unprovided even with this toy thing1 in which case he obtains a similar result by abusing the animal's relations6 ,during the whole time that ,i was in ,russia1 ,i never once saw a cabby hurt his horse with the whip4 ,russia is the last country to which one would go to learn anything about the treatment of human beings1 knowing what we do of her past and present history2 but we certainly should emulate the ,russian coachmen in their kindness to horses1 and not shock our neighbours by exhibitions of brutality which may be seen daily in the ,london streets4 ,,chapter ,,xx4 ,,cross-,,saddle ,,riding ,,for ,,ladies4 ,the question periodically arises as to whether women should adopt men's saddles in preference to their own4 ,i have studied the art of riding astride in an ordinary man's saddle1 and would give a negative answer to that query4 ,the fact that by the adoption of the cross saddle1 about seven pounds in weight would be saved1 and the work for the horse would be somewhat easier1 ought not to outweigh the enormous disadvantages on the other side4 ,whenever a lady is dragged by skirt or stirrup and killed--an accident which1 happily1 occurs but rarely nowadays1 for we wisely adopt the best safety appliances to prevent it--up crops that evergreen question of cross-saddle riding1 as if men never come to grief6 ,statistics would1 ,i think1 show that1 considering the large number of women who hunt1 the proportion of fatal accidents to them in the hunting field is extremely small as compared with the male record4 ,then1 again1 the question of sore backs from side-saddles may be urged2 but with a well-fitting saddle which is properly girthed up1 this trouble can be averted4 ,besides1 sore backs are not confined to side saddles1 for every hunting man1 at some period or other1 has had a sore-backed horse in his stable4 ,my argument against the adoption of men's saddles is1 in the first place1 that such saddles afford us far less security of seat than we obtain in our own2 for ,i do not think that men could ride1 as we can1 over fences without the aid of the reins4 ,this statement is borne out1 not only by the attempts which many good horsemen have made to do so1 while my husband drove animals over obstacles with the long reins1 but also by the fact that all men like a horse that goes well up to the bridle for cross-country work4 ,then1 again1 a woman's limbs are unsuited to cross-saddle riding1 which requires length from hip to knee1 flat muscles1 and a slight inclination to bow legs4 ,i practised my cross-saddle riding in a school well supplied with large mirrors in which ,i could see my figure as ,i passed4 ,it was anything but graceful1 for the rotundity1 which even in some men is very ugly on horseback1 was far too much en evidence1 and caused an outburst of laughter from the ladies who were watching my performance4 ,i at first found it rather difficult to preserve my balance well in cantering on a circle1 but that came to me far more quickly than ability to ride properly over a fence in a plain flapped saddle1 such as ,i presume ladies would want to use if they adopted that style of riding4 ,the directions given me were to lean back and grip with my knees2 but1 as in side-saddle riding1 ,i left the reins quite loose1 instead of hanging on to them as most men do1 ,i lost the aid which they might have afforded me in my efforts to stick on4 ,besides1 my grip was all wrong1 and seemed to be obtainable only at the thigh1 which1 my husband tells me1 ought1 for riding purposes1 to be flat and not round4 ,my experience of this kind of riding appears to have been borne out by another lady who tried it1 for ,rapier1 in the ,sporting and ,dramatic ,news1 ,nov4 #bfth1 #ahib1 says3 ,a few weeks ago my correspondent ',ion1' who is1 ,i believe1 an excellent horsewoman1 told me how she made an essay at riding on a man's saddle1 with the result that she had a very bad fall4 ,i believe both of us would have done better if we had had no previous experience of riding1 and had acquired the art of hanging on to the reins4 ,a lady who is well known with the ,devon and ,somerset ,staghounds asked my husband's advice about a suitable saddle1 as she desired to ride astride1 and he helped her to procure one with large knee pads1 made on the principle of ,australian buck-jumping saddles1 which appears to have answered her purpose very well2 but ,i do not know how she would get on in ,leicestershire4 ,mrs4 ,tweedie rode astride in a ,mexican saddle1 which1 like those used by natives in ,india1 are something after the pattern of an easy-chair4 ,william ,stokes1 in an old work on riding which was published at ,oxford1 tells us that in ,mexico the pisana1 or country lady1 is often seen mounted before her cavaliero1 who1 seated behind his fair one1 supports her with his arm thrown round her waist4 ,this was much more gallant than the old ,english method1 for the lady1 after being seated sideways on the horse's croup1 had to run the risk of being knocked off by her cavalier1 who vaulted into the saddle in front of her4 ,the plate illustrating this nice performance shows that the man had to stand with his left leg in the stirrup and put his weight on the saddle with his hands1 while he raised his right leg over the lady's head4 ,having lived in the ,east1 ,i am aware that ,oriental women ride astride1 but ,i have not seen any of them voluntarily go out of a walk4 ,it is not difficult to trot and canter in a man's plain hunting saddle1 but ,i think our conformation requires the assistance of knee rolls for jumping4 ,we may see even fair horsemen thrown by a horse suddenly stopping dead at a fence1 an accident that rarely occurs to a woman in a side saddle1 as the grip afforded by her crutches gives her greater security of seat4 ,a large number of men's saddles have recently been purchased in ,london for the use of ,american ladies who desire to adopt cross-saddle riding4 ,they intend wearing frock coats and breeches made exactly like men's hunting breeches1 and top boots2 but as the frock coats are tight-fitting and follow the contour of the figure1 ,i do not think that the costume will enhance the elegance of the wearer4 ,in the ,tiergarten at ,berlin ,i saw a ,german lady riding astride in a kind of divided skirt1 and as she was rather portly1 her palfrey appeared to be fully caparisoned4 ,if the cross-saddle were to be generally adopted by women1 it would be but a revival of an ancient custom which was in use before the side-saddle with a leaping head rendered it possible for women to ride across country4 ,according to ,audry1 ,english ladies discarded cross-saddle riding1 and began to ride with the right leg over the crutch1 about the middle of the seventeenth century1 which style the ,countess of ,newcastle is said to have been the first to adopt4 ,in the ,encyclopaedia ,londinensis we read that ,queen ,elizabeth seems to have been the first who set the ladies the more modest fashion of riding sideways1 but ,i think the honour of its introduction is due to ,ann of ,bohemia1 the consort of ,richard the ,second4 ,garsault tells us that during the fourteenth1 fifteenth and sixteenth centuries1 ladies of the ,french ,court usually rode astride on donkeys4 ,whatever may be said in favour of cross-saddle riding1 we must bear in mind that it was not until the introduction in #ahcj of the leaping head that women were able to ride over fences1 and it would be a most reactionary measure to try to dispense with this valuable improvement on the ancient and incompetent order of things4 ,,chapter ,,xxi4 ,,riding ,,difficult ,,horses4 ,general ,remarks--,shying--,stumbling--,dancing and ,prancing--,throwing up the ,head--,habit-shy--,jibbing--,shoulderin g--,backing--,pulling-- ,refusing--,boring--,kicking--,buck-jump ing--,rearing4 ,,general ,,remarks4 ,as ladies are not supposed to have to ride difficult horses1 a chapter on the best means of managing such animals may appear superfluous2 but even the steadiest animal is apt to go wrong at times1 and as forewarned is forearmed1 it is best for us to know how to act in cases of emergency4 ,i do not think that there exists in this world an absolutely perfect horse1 or faultless human being for that matter1 although many members of both the human and equine race nearly approach the ideal standard1 especially among our own gentle sex4 ,a woman who rides a great variety of horses finds that each of her mounts has his or her special peculiarity of temper1 which often sorely taxes her supply of patience and tact in keeping it under control4 ,all horses1 even the quietest1 try to show their authority when ridden by a stranger1 and still more so when they find themselves carrying a rider who sits in a side-saddle1 which must be a most unnatural burden to a horse that has been broken and ridden by men4 ,apart from considerations of side-saddle gear1 the extra steadiness which is required of him in standing stock still while a lady is being put up on his back and her habit arranged1 necessitates more patience on his part than with a male rider4 ,on the other hand1 he may be impressed with the idea that he is being asked to carry a more precious burden1 and that he must prove himself worthy of the confidence reposed in him4 ,i think this feeling of honour exists in horses1 for ,i am reminded of a charger which an officer in ,india lent me1 with somewhat anxious misgivings1 to ride4 ,he told me that the animal would be sure to buck at a certain spot1 and1 as he rode with me1 he warned me when ,i came to this debateable ground to be ready for the usual performance4 ,we cantered along quietly1 as we had been doing1 for ,i thought it best to pretend nothing1 and my mount1 to his owner's great surprise1 made no attempt to buck1 either then or subsequently1 while ,i was riding him1 and we remained the best of friends4 ,a hunter mare which ,i had in ,cheshire1 gave another instance of this honourable feeling among equines4 ,when ridden by my husband or myself1 she loved to show off by shying at a white gate1 a heap of stones1 a piece of paper1 a bird1 or any imaginable thing that she could find as an excuse to dart suddenly from one side of the road to the other4 ,when we got to the hunting field1 with all its noise and turmoil1 she was as steady as possible1 and the violent shying1 which was her way of showing off1 seemed to be quite forgotten4 ,she would carry my son to his school1 a distance of about five miles1 and bring him home without making any attempt to shy with the child1 but if an adult person rode her on the same route1 she would play up as usual4 ,i can only infer from this experience that1 as ,i have already said1 many horses possess a certain sense of honour4 ,as shying is the most common vice among horses1 we may consider it first4 ,,shying4 ,i have called this habit or trick of becoming violently startled without adequate cause a vice1 because in old horses who frequently shy with the object of unseating a rider thus suddenly taken unawares1 it certainly is a very bad vice1 and one for which the only cure is good horsemanship--that is to say1 a seat sufficiently secure in the saddle to enable us to treat such conduct with indifference4 ,if we attach importance to it by losing our temper and hitting an artful offender of this kind1 punishment may cause an unpleasant exhibition of temper on his part1 besides letting him see that his object has been accomplished4 ,in the case of young and nervous horses1 shying arises from timidity and not from vice1 and therefore it behoves us to exhibit patience and kindness in inspiring confidence in such animals and assuring them that there is no reason for terror4 ,the best means of doing this is to ride on and take no notice1 although we may see by the behaviour of our mount1 as he keeps his ears pricked1 snorts at the terrifying object in front of him1 slackens his pace1 and prepares to either stop or dart away1 that he will require encouragement to induce him to go on4 ,as long as he answers the indications of the reins and pressure 7not cuts7 of the whip we should keep silent2 but when he falters as if his heart were failing him1 it is time for us to encourage him with the voice1 softly at first1 and louder1 in a determined tone of command1 if he still hesitates4 ,with a young horse it is well to continue speaking to and soothing him until he has falteringly passed the cause of alarm1 as the sound of his rider's voice often inspires him with confidence at the critical moment by withdrawing his attention from the object of his fright4 ,if a lady is riding with a friend and is engaged in conversation when her horse begins to show fear at some object of alarm1 she should continue her talk1 because it will give him more encouragement to go on1 than sudden silence on her part1 which he might take as a sign that she shares his fear4 ,if she finds it necessary to shorten her reins in anticipation of his playing up1 she should do it in an easy and gradual manner1 so as not to let him know her intentions1 and above all things she should refrain from speaking to him until it is absolutely necessary1 which will be at the moment he is getting ready to swerve4 ,i have at present a very amiable and steady hunter1 which will invariably shy at any high vehicle1 but will pass traction engines1 trains and even motor cars quite quietly4 ,no doubt his unsteadiness is nervousness and not vice1 and is the result of an accident4 ,it is not a good plan to wrestle with a horse until he can be induced to go up to and smell what he was shying at2 for besides attaching too much importance to a trivial failing1 it is not always possible to do this1 in the case of moving objects1 which cause animals far more terror than stationary ones4 ,the whip should never be used on a shying horse with the object of hurting him1 because it is unjust to inflict pain for an unintentional mistake1 and idiotic to regard the exhibition of his fear as a personal affront1 which is often done by ignorant riders4 ,almost all horses when they are very fresh1 and especially on cold days1 will shy and jump about on first being taken out1 partly with the desire to keep themselves warm1 and also with delight at being able to come out and enjoy a scamper4 ,dogs exhibit much the same skittishness2 even old animals gamble like puppies when they are taken out1 and the shying which results from freshness in horses should be tolerated within1 of course1 reasonable limits4 ,exercise will take away the superfluous playfulness1 and it is one of the best of cures for equine failings1 because even young horses which are regularly ridden1 soon give up their habit of nervous shying and become steady conveyances4 ,however terrified an inexperienced horsewoman may be on finding herself on a horse which shies badly1 she should take care not to divulge her secret to him1 as the animal would then try to usurp the reins of authority and refuse to obey her tremulous exhortations4 ,she should always bear in mind that horses1 young or old1 nervous or bold1 require as much keeping in their place as do domestic servants4 ,therefore1 in all critical situations in which our ability to govern is directly challenged1 we should assume the virtue of power if we have it not1 and hang our banners on the outer walls1 even though we may not have a shot in the locker4 ,,stumbling4 ,stumbling is not a vice1 and therefore it would be as unjust to hit a horse for accidentally tripping1 as it would be to strike a human being for making a false step and possibly spraining an ankle4 ,its chief causes may1 ,i think1 be traced to weakness2 and1 in the case of young horses1 to bad shoeing and dirty stables4 ,the subject of horse-shoeing is one which does not appeal to ordinary riders1 so ,i may refer any lady who desires to study it1 to my husband's chapter on it1 in his new edition of ,veterinary ,notes for ,horse ,owners4 ,the feet of horses should not be washed1 because this practice renders horses liable to cracked heels and thrush1 both of which ailments diminish the sure-footedness of an affected animal4 ,if the feet are carefully picked out and brushed they can be kept in a hard1 healthy condition1 such as we find in the feet of young and unbroken horses which have never been shod4 ,the stable should be kept clean and dry1 for it is useless to expect a horse's feet to remain in a sound condition if he be allowed to stand in a wet and dirty stall or loose-box4 ,the feet should always be carefully picked out after an animal has been exercised on tan1 which contains matter that is injurious to the feet if it be allowed to remain in them4 ,we have had bad cases of thrush caused by carelessness in this respect4 ,as regards conformation1 it is evident that horses with upright pasterns and heavy shoulders are far more apt to stumble than well-shaped ones1 besides being rough and unpleasant to ride4 ,young horses which are shod for the first time1 often stumble a great deal1 until they get accustomed to their artificial foot-gear1 and learn to go in a collected manner4 ,animals that are punished for stumbling by ignorant or bad-tempered riders1 frequently acquire the detestable habit of dancing about every time they make a false step4 ,,dancing ,,and ,,prancing4 ,this vice1 which some badly-broken horses possess1 of refusing to walk when required1 and blowing their noses when spoken to1 proceeds generally from temper1 and a desire on the animal's part to show his authority4 ,it is sometimes caused by the rider hanging on to the reins1 especially if she uses a sharp curb or ,pelham4 ,i have known cases of horses which had been sold at a great sacrifice on account of this trick1 become perfectly steady in a few days when properly handled4 ,on the other hand1 there are animals which prance from vice1 and refuse to obey even the best horsewomen4 ,i know of nothing more annoying to a lady1 for it causes her to feel hot and uncomfortable1 to say nothing of a possible headache and pain in the side4 ,such fretting and fuming brutes are not fit to ride1 and should be put through a course of breaking lessons1 preferably with the long reins1 and be punished by being compelled to rein back1 walk and halt at word of command4 ,if it is inconvenient to have them properly broken1 they should be driven in harness at a walk1 and be kept standing about as much as possible to teach them obedience4 ,a lady can offer very little defence when riding a dancing horse1 but she may gain some respite by making him halt1 supposing she does not desire to trot or canter4 ,if a steady animal commences to dance without any exciting cause1 such as the prospect of a hunt1 his bitting and girthing up should be carefully examined1 as there may be something hurting him1 or the saddle may be pinching his back4 ,horses which are tormented by flies are apt to dance about1 in which case it is best to trot or canter as much as possible4 ,in ,india and other tropical countries where these pests are particularly troublesome during the hot weather1 horse-hair wisps specially made for the purpose1 are carried for brushing them away4 ,,throwing ,,up ,,the ,,head4 ,if a curb be used1 care should be taken that its mouthpiece is not placed too high up in the mouth2 that the chain is not too tight1 in which case it would hurt the jaw2 and that the mouthpiece of the snaffle does not press against the corners of the mouth4 ,if there is nothing hurting the animal's mouth1 he should be ridden by a groom in a standing martingale1 at a length which will prevent him from getting his head too high4 ,i like the ,irish plan of buckling the standing martingale to the rings of the snaffle1 better than that of attaching it to the noseband1 because it teaches the animal to give to the bridle1 and not to lean persistently on the noseband4 ,the noseband method is generally adopted by polo players4 ,the precaution of seeing how the horse behaves when he finds that he can no longer indulge in his favourite vice1 should always be taken before he is ridden by a lady2 because at first the checking influence of the standing martingale is sometimes resented by efforts to rear and plunge badly4 ,if the use of the long reins is understood1 it is better to have the horse circled and turned with them1 but very few people are capable of using them in an efficient manner4 ,when the animal finds himself unable to successfully resist this fixed defence and prefers to carry his head quietly1 rather than to hurt his mouth by violently throwing his head up1 he may be safely ridden by a lady in this martingale1 and she will then be able to control him4 ,very few horses will fight against the martingale for any length of time1 and as this most useful article of gear is considered to be indispensable to polo players for controlling their animals1 its value to ladies who cannot1 by reason of their perched-up position in a side-saddle1 lower their hands like men1 is inestimable4 ,,habit-,,shy4 ,i use this term to designate the trick that some horses1 chiefly those which are unaccustomed to the side-saddle1 have of sidling away from the skirt4 ,a good plan is to put up a groom in a side-saddle with a rug on1 and get him to ride in circles to the left1 kicking the rug about with his foot until the horse goes collectedly1 which he will generally do in a few lessons4 ,,jibbing4 ,jibbing1 or balking as the ,americans term it1 is a detestable vice4 ,as a rule1 it is the outcome of the knowledge an animal has acquired of his own power4 ,some horses are foolishly allowed by their riders to jib successfully4 ,for instance1 ,i was once riding with a lady whose animal planted himself at a certain spot and refused to budge4 ,instead of trying to make him go on1 his mistress wearily said that that was her limit1 and that she always took him home from it1 because he did not want to go any farther6 ,i suggested a change of horses1 but she would not hear of it2 for she said ,i might upset his temper and make him worse than ever4 ,needless to say1 the spoiled brute did precisely as he liked with her1 and as she submitted to being bossed in this feeble manner1 there was nothing to be done but go home every time he wanted to do so4 ,if a horse jibs and there is nothing hurting him in the saddle or bridle1 he should be shaken up sharply and ordered to go on4 ,if he treats that order with silent contempt1 the best thing to do is to make him turn and keep him circling until he gets tired of this performance and will go in the required direction4 ,it is wiser not to strike an obstinate jibber1 unless as a last resource1 for further rousing his bad temper is productive of no good result4 ,if punishment has to be resorted to1 his rider should be able to form an idea of what defence he will be likely to offer by way of retaliation4 ,if he is inclined to rear1 the cuts should be given well behind the girth1 and he should be kept on the turn to the right1 in order that he may not fix his hind legs1 which he would have to do in order to get up4 ,if kicking be his speciality1 they should be applied on the shoulder1 while his head is held up as high as possible4 ,if punishment proves ineffectual1 it should be discontinued at once1 as no woman cares to be the centre of an admiring crowd while she is engaged in a fight which1 in nine cases out of ten1 does more harm than good4 ,a man told me that he cured a bad jibber by getting off him and throwing a lighted cracker under him2 but such heroic measures had best not be undertaken by a lady1 who would be wise to hand over the animal to a competent breaker if she wished to ride him again4 ,,shouldering4 ,this is a form of jibbing in which the horse tries to get rid of his rider by pressing her against some convenient object1 such as a tree or wall4 ,as he will naturally do this on the left side1 his rider should try to turn him to the left to make him bring her away from the object in question4 ,in other respects she should act as recommended in ,jibbing4 ,,backing4 ,this is another variety of jibbing2 but it is also caused by using a severe bit which a horse is afraid to face4 ,if the bitting and saddling are right1 a touch with the whip given behind the girth will generally prove effective4 ,sometimes a horse will deliberately back in order to kick another4 ,in the hunting field1 mares are at times very apt to try this trick1 so care should be taken to prevent it4 ,,pulling4 ,i have found from experience that the best kind of gear in which to hold a hard puller1 who goes along with his mouth open and is so headstrong that he will not slacken speed when required1 is an ordinary double bridle1 a cavesson nose-band and a standing martingale4 ,it is far better for ladies1 especially out hunting1 to ride animals in gear in which they are able to hold them1 than to have them dashing about as they like1 and proving a source of danger1 not only to their riders1 but to the rest of the field4 ,a lady should never ride a hard puller when hunting2 but as some of us have to put up with what we can get1 it is well to fix up a difficult mount of this kind in a manner that will keep him under control4 ,some clever people assert that any horse can be held with a snaffle2 but ,i am certain that pullers can1 as a rule1 be much better controlled by a curb1 provided that it is properly put on4 ,i have no faith in severe bits1 because the desire to pull and tear away emanates from the brain of a horse1 and if we hurt his mouth by using a severe bit1 we only succeed in making him more headstrong than ever4 ,most1 if not all1 young horses make frantic efforts to get away after the hounds1 when they are hunted for the first few times2 and1 until they settle down and learn that fences require jumping and not galloping into1 it is far more difficult to hold them without a standing martingale than with one4 ,if a horse is getting out of hand1 even under the restraining influence of a curb1 we can generally manage to turn him with the aid of a standing martingale1 and so long as we can do that1 he cannot run away1 as ,i have found when ,i have been placed in somewhat critical situations1 with my curb ineffective in preventing a headstrong youngster from urging on his wild career under the intense excitement of his first day with hounds4 ,the desire which a puller has to get away would probably only occur in the early part of the day when the starting rush is made1 but if it were successful he would bolt among a lot of horses and be almost certain to cause an accident4 ,a cavesson nose-band properly put on1 will shut the mouth of a puller which wants to keep it open1 and will thus help the rider to control him4 ,if a lady possesses doubts as to her ability to hold her horse1 she should keep well away from the field1 so that she may not endanger the safety of others4 ,it is always best to put animals which are at all likely to pull1 through a regular course of cub hunting from the very beginning of the season1 so that they may gradually work along from the pottering to the galloping stage4 ,a course of such instruction sobers them down1 and they will then give their rider far less trouble than if they are dashed off into the excitement of fox-hunting without having had good preliminary training4 ,this is a fact which ladies should bear in mind2 for ,i have found it work very successfully4 ,there is nothing like plenty of regular work for taking the nonsense out of pulling horses4 ,mr4 ,caton1 a well-known ,american trainer of match trotters1 whom ,i met in ,st4 ,petersburg1 told me that he always sent his bad pullers to do a week or two's work in one of the city tram-cars1 for they always came back with a good deal of the stuffing taken out of them4 ,pulling is of course a very bad vice2 for a pulling horse knows well enough what his rider is asking him1 through the medium of the reins1 but he shakes his head1 or throws it up1 if he can1 as much as to say that he will not obey4 ,a lady should not be alarmed if she finds her mount getting out of hand2 but should1 if possible1 let him go for a short distance and then take a pull at him1 at the same time speaking determinedly to him1 and not in a frightened tone4 ,if the brute will not obey1 we must use severe measures1 and in extreme cases1 it is well to saw the bit from one side to the other1 in order to hurt his mouth so much1 that from very pain he must perforce yield4 ,i believe that many bad accidents have occurred through riders becoming frightened and refraining from the use of force in stopping a hard puller1 who is thus allowed to run away4 ,i think that if people could keep their heads clear and not clutch on to the saddle and let the reins loose1 or maintain a dead hold of them1 which is equally ineffective1 but husband their resources for determined attacks1 very few horses would succeed in bolting with their riders4 ,of course a great deal depends on the strength of the seat of the rider2 for we must sit very tight and not let our mount feel us wobbling about in the saddle4 ,we should never forget the power of the voice as a factor in horse control1 and our attempts to stop a pulling animal should always be accompanied by a sternly expressed word of command4 ,in my travels abroad1 ,i have ridden some extremely bad pullers which were said to bolt with men2 but although ,i certainly had trouble with such animals1 none of them succeeded in running away with me and taking me where they liked4 ,my husband also has a similar record in this respect1 so ,i cannot help thinking that when a rider is actually bolted with1 he or she must have got frightened and confused at a critical moment and have allowed the animal to literally take the reins of authority in his teeth4 ,it requires a good deal of physical strength to control a hard puller1 and ,i have had my gloves and hands badly cut in wrestling with particularly headstrong brutes4 ,on the other hand1 some horses which have really nice mouths1 get the name of being pullers1 on account of having been ridden by mutton-fisted men who hang on to the reins and thus irritate them beyond control4 ,i am reminded of a big ,australian horse1 about seventeen hands high1 which ,mr4 ,macklin1 the ,australian horse-shipper1 brought to ,calcutta and lent me to ride in a paper-chase there4 ,this animal carried me perfectly1 although his rough rider 7more rough than rider7 afterwards showed me an unjointed snaffle bent almost double1 which he said had been caused by this pulling devil of a horse6 ,there is a great deal of truth in the saying1 that if you don't pull at a horse1 he won't pull at you4 ,i am sure that many horsemen1 and certainly every riding member of my sex1 will bear me out in stating that women manage pullers far better than do men1 because they do not hang on to their mouths1 in order to help them in keeping their seats4 ,where many women greatly err in riding confirmed pullers1 is in inability to take sufficiently harsh measures which are needed for their control4 ,i am aware that there are animals1 especially race-horses1 which cannot be held at all until they have gone a certain distance4 ,the pace holds them1 but such headstrong animals tire themselves unnecessarily1 and generally have to shut up before the finish of a long distance race2 for the steady plodding horse will almost invariably prove the better stayer of the two4 ,in hunting1 the pace will not always hold a horse1 because hounds may check at any moment1 the start to a holloa may prove a false alarm1 and leaving out the uncertain behaviour of foxes1 a sudden stoppage may be caused by an impossible fence1 river1 railway1 or by a variety of causes which would amply prove the fallacy of the pace holding a hard puller in the hunting field4 ,as pulling horses are the cause of frequent hunting accidents1 ,i would specially caution my readers against riding animals which they are not able to keep in hand4 ,if a lady is riding a good old hunter who insists on going his own pace1 she should interfere with him as little as possible1 even in her desire to steady him over bad ground and at his fences2 because the large majority of these animals have their own method of doing business1 and can be safely trusted to take care of themselves4 ,if they are unduly checked in galloping1 they are apt to pull very hard1 and greatly tire their riders4 ,i am1 of course1 alluding to good-tempered1 well-made hunters which go best with a rider who sits still on their backs and trusts to their experience and honour4 ,concerning the best kind of bridle in which to hold a puller1 ,i cannot do better than quote the following remarks from my husband's book1 ,riding and ,hunting3--,as regards the bitting of a puller1 ,i would advise that with a double bridle the curb should be put low down in the mouth4444 ,in all cases an unjointed snaffle is much the best form of bit4 ,with a double bridle we have a choice between the two4 ,we should bear in mind that the action of a curb is peculiarly liable to produce insensibility of the mouth on account of its pressure being distributed almost completely round the lower jaw1 while that of the snaffle falls only on the upper surface of the jaw4 ,even the jointed snaffle and the chain snaffle leave the under surface of the jaw free from pressure1 and consequently interfere comparatively little with the circulation and nervous supply of that part4 ,hence we should avoid riding even the worst puller continuously on the curb1 the action of which we should alternate from time to time with that of the snaffle1 so as to preserve the sensibility of the jaw4 ,it is evident that the sensibility of the mouth is the means by which we are enabled to remain in touch with the forehand of the horse4 ,i would here recommend the alternative1 not the combined1 employment of the curb and the snaffle4 ,thin bits which irritate horses' mouths often cause them to fight and pull hard2 it is unfortunately no uncommon sight in the hunting field to see a tortured horse bleeding from the mouth1 and yet such animals are expected to gallop and jump kindly6 ,,refusing4 ,to jump or not to jump1 that is the question with which determined refusers have stumped some of the very best cross country riders4 ,i am reminded of an instance which occurred in ,india1 when a fine horsewoman1 seeing a friend unable to make his mount jump in a paper-chase1 which is nearly akin to a steeple-chase1 rode him herself in the next one1 with no better result1 and great must have been her mortification on finding herself left on the wrong side of the first fence which the determined brute refused to look at1 even when carrying this charming lady1 to whom many equine bad characters had yielded obedience4 ,this appeared to be a sheer case of equine temper and obstinacy2 for the animal could jump well when he liked1 but the man or woman has yet to be born who can make a horse jump when he has decided not to do so4 ,i have a very strong belief that refusers are made1 not born1 for every unbroken horse which my husband had to deal with in his travels1 tried his best to give satisfaction by making an effort1 even if an unscientific one1 to clear the obstacle1 generally a heavy log of wood propped up on boxes1 which was offered for his consideration4 ,if he jumped well1 and in the flippant style of a natural fencer1 more boxes were produced1 and sometimes these youngsters cleared quite a respectable height in one lepping lesson with me on their backs1 and my husband at the end of the long reins4 ,the abuse of the curb at fences is the cause of1 ,i think1 half the falls1 and more than half of the refusals which we see in the hunting field4 ,in ,ireland1 where the large majority of our hunters come from1 the snaffle is the bit used in breaking and hunting1 as it is in steeple-chasing2 and although our ,irish neighbours find the curb has its advantages1 we must admit that they keep it in its proper place and do not allow it to usurp the snaffle when riding over fences4 ,the sportsmen of ,tipperary1 ,kildare1 ,cork and other parts of ,ireland1 who have to negotiate immense banks1 would ridicule the idea of riding at such obstacles on the curb1 because no sane person would think of checking a horse in such a manner2 and the solid cope and dash stone walls of ,galway also require to be taken by an animal whose mouth is not interfered with4 ,here in ,england we see these ,irish hunters frequently ridden at fences on the curb1 and the poor brutes1 in order to save their mouths and keep on their legs1 throw up their heads and give a half buck over the obstacle1 landing on all fours1 and then get a cut with the whip for having jumped badly6 ,this is how many refusers are made4 ,another recipe for making a refuser is to pretend to ride hard at a fence and1 at the last moment1 turn the animal's head from it1 and then loudly rate and lambaste him for refusing6 ,still another method is to funk the obstacle when it is too late1 and check the horse with the curb after he has made his spring1 which will cause him to crash into the middle of the fence1 and probably bring both himself and his rider to grief4 ,my husband1 being a veterinary surgeon1 has had hunters brought to him in a most pitiable state of laceration1 caused1 ,i believe1 in many cases1 by funk and curb1 a most disastrous combination4 ,we have in our stable at the time of writing1 a very intelligent hunter who was dreadfully injured from having1 it is said1 jumped bang into a fence1 but ,i wish that patient sufferer could tell me the real cause of his accident4 ,it was one of those crumpling falls which seem to mean death to both horse and rider1 but luckily in this case1 the rider escaped with a few bruises and a smashed hat4 ,the horse was also fortunate in a way1 as no bones were broken2 but the skin and flesh of his near fore-leg were torn off from almost the shoulder to the knee1 and ,i wondered1 as ,i looked on that gaping1 bleeding wound1 and the poor animal quivering with pain and hardly able to bear even placing the tip of his toe on the ground1 if he would ever have the courage to face a fence again4 ,luckily1 he is all right now4 ,i have heard people talk about a good fall being the best means for teaching horses how to jump1 and there is a certain modicum of truth in this1 especially with young horses1 and young horsemen too for that matter2 but when an old hunter gets a bad fall1 ,i doubt whether he ever recovers his jumping form again1 any more than we ourselves who may have come an awful buster after we have reached the age of discretion4 ,horses frequently refuse on account of some physical infirmity4 ,unsoundness in one or both fore legs naturally makes a horse chary of jumping1 because of the painful jar which he will receive on landing1 when he is obliged to place his entire weight on his fore legs4 ,then again1 if his feet are not in a hard and sound condition1 he funks the pain of landing over a fence and tries his best to avoid jumping4 ,many unsound horses1 generally hirelings1 are hammered along out hunting1 especially on roads1 with most inconsiderate cruelty4 ,i once tried to hunt on a hireling which1 ,i soon saw1 was not in a fit state to carry me without pain4 ,had ,i insisted on having my money's worth out of the animal1 it would have been nothing short of gross cruelty4 ,his fore legs were bandaged1 as is usual with hired mounts1 and he galloped and jumped several small fences soundly1 as far as ,i could feel2 but when he came to a rather formidable one1 he stopped and tried to rear4 ,i at once found an easier means of egress1 which took me for a short distance on a road1 and the hard ground of only about #bj yards seemed to tell so much on one leg1 that ,i felt him going decidedly short1 pulled him up and walked him home4 ,when ,i arrived in ,melton ,mowbray1 a lady1 the last person in the world whom ,i would have cared to meet1 hailed me with the news that ,miss ,so-and-so had broken her collar-bone1 a fact which appeared to give her more pleasure than sorrow1 and you she said1 have lamed your horse6 ,the dealer evidently expected this result2 for when ,i rode the horse into his yard1 so that ,i might personally explain things to him1 he told me that the animal1 which was only a four year old1 had been ridden very hard by an officer1 who1 ,i am sorry to say1 has since lost his life in ,south ,africa4 ,the dealer tried his best to make amends by subsequently offering me another mount for nothing2 but he certainly did err in letting out this young unsound animal1 and spoiling my day's sport1 for which ,i had paid the usual guineas4 ,my only regret in the matter is that ,i galloped and jumped an animal which was not in a fit state to perform such work4 ,horses are frequently rendered refusers by being repeatedly jumped over the same fence1 until they get so disgusted with the performance that they will have no more of it4 ,spurs and whip then come into play and make matters worse4 ,even if the animal jumps the fence after a good deal of unnecessary fighting1 the memory of this unjust punishment remains in his mind1 and is productive of the violent agitation which such horses exhibit on being taken near a jump4 ,it is a wise plan to stop a lepping lesson immediately after the horse has cleared the jump in good style1 and then make much of him 7patting him on the neck and speaking kindly to him74 ,punishing horses at fences with whip and spur renders them afraid to face their jumps2 because they think that they will be knocked about1 even when they are trying their best to give satisfaction4 ,many faulty and bad tempered riders are unnecessarily cruel in this respect4 ,if a horse refuses from seeing an animal fall in front of him1 his natural prudence should not be taken as a personal affront1 but he should be spoken to and encouraged to try1 preferably1 if possible1 after another horse has got safely over the obstacle1 if there is no other part of the fence negotiable4 ,i think that by dint of patience and tactful management1 many refusers may be taught to repose sufficient confidence in their riders to make an effort when required1 but that can be done only by gentle means and easy tasks4 ,old tricky offenders cannot be cured of this or any other vice4 ,a lady who is hunting on a doubtful jumper should be careful not to upset other horses by letting her refuser perform in front of them1 but should show consideration for her companions by keeping a backward place1 supposing that several horses are taking their turn at jumping the only practicable part in a fence4 ,refusers are detested in the hunting field1 and a lady whose hunter is known to shirk his fences and stir up equine rebellion1 is soon classed among the large number of those who never will be missed4 ,,boring4 ,horses are said to bore when they carry their heads down and lean heavily on the bit or bear on it to one side4 ,as both the curb and ,pelham have a tendency to make a horse carry his head low1 they should not1 as a rule1 be used with a borer4 ,the rider might make the animal keep his head in proper position by playing with the snaffle1 the cheekpieces of the bridle of which may be shortened1 so that the mouthpiece may press against the corners of the mouth and thus induce him to keep up his head4 ,the same effect can be obtained with the gag snaffle1 which has the advantage that1 when one's object is gained1 one can ease off the gag reins and take up the other reins1 which are used in the ordinary manner4 ,when a horse bores to one side1 or when he bores with his head stuck straight out1 the standing martingale will often be useful for correcting this unpleasant fault4 ,i have seen in trotting matches a bearing-rein 7called in ,america an over-draw check-rein7 passing between the animal's ears1 going down the top of his head and attached to the pommel of the saddle1 effectively employed to correct this fault4 ,it would1 of course1 be too unsightly to be used by a lady1 but her groom might employ it advantageously in teaching a borer to carry his head in correct position4 ,,kicking4 ,if practicable1 we should first of all see that the saddle does not hurt the horse in any way4 ,if this be all right1 we may shake him up with the snaffle reins and make him carry his head high4 ,if this be not effective1 he should be given a few cuts with the whip on the shoulder4 ,making him hold up his head and touching him on the shoulder are done to lighten his forehand1 and to put more weight on his hind quarters4 ,also1 we may with much advantage give him some practice at reining back1 within judicious limits1 either when we are in the saddle1 or with the long reins4 ,when a horse starts kicking1 the rider should take a strong grip of her crutches and lean back1 as far as she is able1 while holding his head up1 and thus prevent herself from being thrown over his head4 ,the most awkward kicker ,i ever rode was a mountain ,zebra 7,fig4 #adf71 which my husband broke in at ,calcutta4 ,he kicked very neatly without lowering his head1 and1 as the slightest touch on his ears drove him nearly out of his mind1 ,i had great difficulty in avoiding them1 as he kicked with a sort of peculiar wriggle which complicated the performance for me1 because ,i had had no practice on a kicking zebra1 and had to pick up my knowledge as ,i went on4 ,it was no use trying to rein him back2 for he had a neck like a bull1 with a small rudimentary dewlap1 and at every kick he gave1 he made a noise like a pig grunting4 ,his skin was the best part about him1 and was as lovely and soft to the touch as the finest sealskin4 ,as ,i believe ,i am the only woman who has ridden a mountain zebra1 this photograph is probably unique4 ,it ought to be a better one1 seeing the trouble ,i took to make my obstinate mount stand still2 but he seemed to regard the camera as an infernal machine destined for his destruction1 and flatly refused to pose nicely for his portrait4 ,he was far too neck-strong to make a pleasant mount for a lady4 ,kickers1 as ,i have already said1 should never be taken into any hunting field4 ,illustration3 ,fig4 #adf4--,riding mountain zebra4 ,,buck-,,jumping4 ,under this heading ,i shall include the minor vices of plunging and pig-jumping4 ,bucking is all but unknown among ,english and ,eastern horses1 but is seen to its highest perfection among ,australian and ,new ,zealand animals1 especially those that have been allowed their liberty up to a comparatively late period of life1 say1 four years old4 ,i have ridden some buck-jumping ,argentine horses which were expert performers3 many of the wild ,russian steppe horses are very bad buck-jumpers4 ,some ,english horses1 especially thoroughbreds1 can give a very fair imitation of this foreign equine accomplishment4 ,i remember riding a steeple-chase horse called ,emigrant1 which placed quite enough strain both on me and my girths when he was first called upon to carry a side-saddle4 ,if a horse has any buck in him1 the side-saddle will be almost certain to bring it out2 for with it the animal requires to be girthed up extra tightly2 the balance strap tickles and revolts him1 the lady's weight is farther back than on a man's saddle1 and the unusual feeling of carrying a rider whose legs are placed on one side1 tends to irritate a highly sensitive horse4 ,if an animal1 on being saddled1 gets his back up1 he should not be mounted until this certain indication of the buck that is in him has been removed1 which may be done by either circling him with the long reins1 or letting a groom run him about a little until his back goes down4 ,a cold saddle and a chilly day will often cause a horse to come out of his stable with his back in bucking position1 and1 unless a lady knows her animal well1 it is best to get it down before she mounts1 because he may buck as she is in the act of placing her right leg over the crutch--a part of mounting which animals that are unaccustomed to it greatly dislike1 as1 ,i suppose1 they think she is going to give them a kick on the head6 ,as ,i used to do the rough-riding for my husband on his horse-breaking tours in various countries1 ,i have had to sit a good many buck-jumpers1 and1 am thankful to say1 ,i never got thrown1 because1 from what ,i have seen of men being catapulted and placed on the flat of their backs on the ground1 this kind of fall must be1 as ,jorrocks would say1 a hawful thing4 ,the great difficulty in sitting a buck-jumper consists in keeping the body from being jerked forward in the saddle1 and slackening the reins the moment the animal makes a vicious downward snatch at them1 by ducking his head2 for if the rider hangs on to his head1 he will pull her forward by means of the reins1 and she will be unable to sit the buck which will follow4 ,all confirmed buck-jumpers look out for this opportunity whenever the rider draws the reins tightly4 ,ladies who ride with the right leg hooked back would not be able to sit a buck-jumper2 for ,i found that the chief means which prevented me from being thrown was the ability to lean back1 which the forward position of my right leg gave me4 ,when riding bad horses at my husband's classes1 ,i was able to see beforehand what special defence such animals offered1 and was1 therefore1 prepared to cope with them2 but ,i have been taken unawares when mounted on ,australian horses which dealers in ,india have lent me1 when they have wanted to sell such animals as having carried a lady4 ,i remember one very handsome ,waler1 which went like a lamb with me until suddenly1 when cantering quietly along1 he took it into his head to try and buck me off4 ,he did his best to accomplish his purpose1 and was encouraged in his efforts by my pith hat coming off and flopping about my head4 ,i wished the thing could have fallen1 but it was held by the elastic--we wore our hair in plaits at the nape of the neck in those days--and ,i had securely pinned the elastic with hairpins under my hair4 ,this great wobbling hat only caused the horse to buck worse than ever1 until he tired of his performance and came to a sudden halt4 ,i was greatly exhausted1 and suffering from mental tension1 because ,i was entirely unprepared for this attack1 and doubted the security of my stronghold1 for the girths of my saddle had seen a lot of service1 and the strain on them1 caused by the violent bucking of this powerful sixteen-hand animal1 was very great4 ,the bigger a horse is1 the more difficult he is to sit when he bucks badly1 because he can put much more force into the performance than a small animal1 and he shakes the breath out of one much sooner4 ,it is lucky for us that a wise providence has placed a limit on a horse's bucking capabilities4 ,i think that ten or twelve bucks1 given in good style and without an interval for recuperation1 is about as much as any horse can do1 but possibly my ,australian readers can give statistics on this point4 ,i hope ,i am not offending them in saying that ,australian horses are the most accomplished buck-jumpers ,i have met4 ,australian shippers send many of them over to ,india1 and rely on the long sea voyage to quieten them down1 which it does to a certain extent4 ,mr4 ,macklin1 an ,australian importer1 told me that a horse-carrying ship was wrecked on some part of the coast1 an island1 ,i believe1 between ,australia and ,india1 and that there is a big colony of wild horses to be picked up by anyone who will go and take them4 ,i like ,australian horses1 because they are excellent jumpers1 have beautiful shoulders and are remarkably sound in wind and limb4 ,they are moreover handsome breedy looking animals1 and those of them which are addicted to bucking1 soon give up this vice1 if ridden by capable people4 ,a lady who finds herself on a bucking horse should try her best to keep both her head and her seat1 and not be in any way disconcerted by hearing the angry grunts which such animals often give with each buck they make to get her off4 ,she should lean back and firmly grip her crutches as in sitting over a fence1 and should try to imagine that she is jumping a line of obstacles placed close together4 ,if she feels any forward displacement after one buck1 she must hastily get into position to be ready for the next one1 without pausing for a moment to think1 because there will be no time for thought1 and her recovery of balance must be done automatically1 while the animal is doubling himself up for his next buck4 ,if her hat1 which is generally the first thing to leave the saddle1 flies off1 no notice must be taken1 because the instant the rider devotes her attention to anything else but sticking on1 she relaxes her grip and stands a good chance of being thrown4 ,the most difficult of all bucking ,i have experienced was when hunting in ,leicestershire on a young ,argentine mare1 which started to buck when we were galloping down hill over deep ridge and furrow4 ,i knew her bucking propensities1 because my husband broke her in and ,i had had a good deal of bucking practice with her1 so ,i was able to remain1 but that down hill ridge and furrow performance was extremely hard to sit4 ,like most young animals1 she hated ridge and furrow1 and her temper was upset on finding that she had to gallop down hill over this troublesome ground4 ,the necessity of devoting careful attention to the soundness of the girth-tugs1 stirrup-leather1 and balance-strap when riding a horse which is likely to buck is obvious1 for of course if they give way under the strain1 no lady would be able to retain her seat4 ,,rearing4 ,rearing is the worst of all vices in a horse which has to carry a side-saddle1 because a lady1 by reason of her side position and her inability to lower her hands to the same extent as a man1 is utterly powerless on a rearer4 ,i have seen men slip off over the animal's tail1 when he was standing on his hind legs1 but this is a feat which a woman is unable to accomplish1 as ,i found when a horse reared and came over with me at ,tientsin in ,china1 and hurt my spine so much that ,i felt its effects for several years afterwards1 especially after a hard day's hunting1 or a long swim4 ,swimming appears to tax the soundness of the spinal bones quite as much as does riding4 ,the best thing to do with a rearer is to prevent him from fixing his hind legs1 which he would have to do before he can get up1 and therefore a long whip should be used1 and the animal touched with it as near the hocks as possible1 keeping him at the same time on the turn to the right4 ,confirmed rearers are however so quick in getting up on their hind legs1 that the rider has no time1 even were she supplied with a sufficiently long whip1 to get anywhere near his hocks1 and all she can do is to lean well forward and leave his mouth alone4 ,if she is still alive when he comes down1 my strong advice would be to get off his back1 and give him1 as the late ,mr4 ,abingdon ,baird did in the case of a similar brute1 to the first passer by6 ,rearing is no test of horsemanship1 and the sickening sight of ladies in circuses mounted on rearers is one from which every good horsewoman would recoil with horror4 ,at ,rentz circus in ,hamburg ,i saw one of these awful sights1 and noticed that the ringmaster kept touching the steiger on the fore-legs with the whip in order to make him paw the air4 ,i have been told that so long as a rearing horse keeps pawing in this manner1 he will not fall over1 but such horrid exhibitions ought to be prevented4 ,there is nothing more trying to the nerves of any rider than hunting on a refuser which has a tendency to rear1 and ,i have known ladies whose nerves have been utterly shattered in their efforts to govern such dangerous brutes4 ,take my advice ladies and have nothing to do with these animals2 for it is far easier to get rid of a horse than it is to recover one's nerve1 and the longer a lady tries to wrestle with a rearer1 the more difficulty will she have in overcoming the strain on her nervous system4 ,i would not take a rearing horse at a gift1 for such animals can never be made sufficiently reliable for any woman to ride4 ,horses sometimes learn this detestable vice from others4 ,i once had an animal in ,calcutta which began rearing with me without any known cause1 and ,i was greatly mystified about his behaviour until one day ,i saw my syce1 who was exercising him1 in company with a native on a horse which was rearing badly1 while my mount was imitating him1 a performance which ,i subsequently discovered had been going on daily for some time4 ,if a previously quiet horse suddenly starts a new form of playing up1 the riding of the groom or person who has been exercising and handling him should be carefully watched1 and no animal which is known to be unsteady should be allowed to teach his bad tricks to a lady's mount1 for we know that horses very quickly pick up bad habits from each other4 ,baron de ,vaux1 in his book ,ecuyers et ,ecuyeres1 tells us that ,emilie ,loisset1 who was a brilliant high school rider1 was killed by a rearer coming over with her4 ,he says3--,elle souffrait beaucoup1 car la fourche de la selle lui avait perfore les intestins4 ,apres deux jours de douleurs horribles1 la pauvre ,emilie ,loisset rendit le dernier soupir1 surprise par la mort en pleine jeunesse et en plein succes4 ,the animal she rode is described as d'origine irlandaise et de mauvais coeur4 ,,chapter ,,xxii4 ,,names ,,of ,,external ,,parts ,,of ,,the ,,horse4 ,i shall here of course omit to describe parts1 such as the eyes1 head and tail1 for instance1 which are known to everyone4 ,the figures and letters employed in the following list1 have reference to those on ,fig4 #adg1 except when ,fig4 #adh is mentioned4 ,the hoof 7#aj7 is the horny box which encloses the lower part of the leg4 ,the front part of the hoof1 near the ground surface1 is called the toe2 the side portions1 the quarters2 and the rear parts1 the heels4 ,the outer portion of the hoof is termed the wall1 which is divided into a hard1 fibrous outer covering1 called the crust1 and a soft inner layer of non-fibrous horn4 ,the designations wall and crust are often used indiscriminately4 ,the frog is the triangular horny cushion which is in the centre of the ground surface of the hoof1 and which1 by its elasticity and strength1 acts as a buffer in saving the structures inside the hoof from the injurious effects of concussion4 ,the cleft of the frog is the division in the middle line of the frog4 ,in healthy feet1 it consists of only a slight depression4 ,in a disease1 called thrush1 of the sensitive part which secretes the frog1 the cleft forms a deep1 damp and foul-smelling fissure1 and the frog becomes more or less shrivelled up4 ,the frog similar to the skin of the palms of our hands1 requires frequent pressure to make it thick and strong4 ,the horn of the hoof is merely a modification of the cuticle 7scarf skin74 ,the bars of the hoof are the portions of the wall of the hoof which are turned inwards at the heels1 and run more or less parallel to the sides of the frog4 ,the sole is that portion of the ground surface of the foot which is included between the wall1 bars and frog4 ,the pastern 7#i7 is the short column of bones 7two in number7 which lies between the fetlock and hoof4 ,the fetlock 7#h7 is the prominent joint which is just above the hoof4 ,the cannon bone 7#g7 is the bone that extends from the fetlock to the knee 7#f71 which1 in the horse1 corresponds to our wrist4 ,the back tendons or back sinews 7,m7 form the more or less round tendinous cord which is at the back of the leg1 from the knee 7or hock7 to the fetlock4 ,these tendons1 which are two in number1 usually appear in the form of one cord2 but in horses which have a very fine skin and clean legs1 we may see that one of them is placed behind the other4 ,the term clean legs signifies that the limbs are not only sound1 but are also free from any fulness1 which would more or less obscure the contour of the bones1 tendons and ligaments4 ,muscles are the lean of meat1 and their ends are connected to bones by means of tendons1 which consist of hard1 fibrous and inelastic material4 ,the ligaments of the limbs are composed of the same material 7white connective tissue7 as tendons1 and serve to connect bones together1 without the intervention of muscle4 ,the horse has practically no muscles below his knees and hocks4 ,illustration3 ,fig4 #adg4--;,external parts of horse4 ,the suspensory ligament is the fibrous cord which lies between the cannon bone and the back tendons4 ,the fact that it stands sharply out between these two structures1 when viewed from the side1 shows that it is in a sound condition1 which is a most important point as regards usefulness2 because injury to it1 from accident or overwork1 is a fruitful cause of lameness1 especially in saddle horses that are employed in fast work4 ,the fore-arm 7#e7 is the portion of the fore leg between the knee and the elbow4 ,the point of the elbow 7,i7 is the bony projection which is at the top and back of the fore-arm4 ,the point of the shoulder 7,h7 is the prominent bony angle which lies a little below the junction of the neck and shoulder1 and consists of the outer portion of the upper end of the humerus4 ,the forehead 7,a7 is the front part of the head which is above the eyes4 ,the nose 7,b7 is a continuation of the forehead1 and ends opposite the nostrils 7,c74 ,the muzzle is the lower end of the head1 and includes the nostrils1 upper and lower lips 7,d and ,e71 and the bones and teeth covered by the lips4 ,the chin-groove 7,f7 is the depression at the back of the lower jaw1 and just above the fulness of the lower lip1 which1 in this case1 assumes the appearance of a chin4 ,the angles of the lower jaw 7,g7 are the bony angles between which the upper end of the wind-pipe lies4 ,the withers 7#d7 are the bony ridge which is the forward end of the back4 ,the shoulders 7#c7 are the bony and muscular portion of the body which is more or less included between a line drawn from the point of the shoulder 7,h7 to the front end of the withers1 and another line drawn from the point of the elbow 7,i7 to the rear end of the withers4 ,anatomically speaking1 the shoulders consist of the humerus 7the bone which lies between the elbow and the point of the shoulder71 shoulder blade1 and the muscles which cover them4 ,the crest 7,t7 is the upper part of the neck1 extending from the withers to the ears4 ,the jugular groove 7,u7 is the groove which is on each side of the neck1 just above the wind-pipe4 ,it marks the course of the jugular vein4 ,the poll 7,v7 is the part on the top of the neck1 immediately behind the ears4 ,the breast is the front portion of the body which we see between the fore legs and below a line connecting the points of both shoulders1 when looking at the animal from the front4 ,the chest is the cavity which is covered by the ribs1 and which contains the lungs1 heart1 etc4 ,therefore1 instead of saying that a horse which struck a fence without rising at it1 chested it1 we should1 on the contrary1 say that he breasted it4 ,this confusion between the terms breast and chest is not unusual4 ,the brisket 7#af7 is the part formed by the breastbone1 and is the lower part of the chest4 ,the girth-place is that portion of the brisket which is just behind the fore legs1 and which the girths pass under when the horse is saddled4 ,the back 7#d and #aa7 is practically the withers and that portion of the upper part of the body which is covered by the saddle4 ,strictly speaking1 it is that portion of the spine which is possessed of ribs4 ,in common parlance1 the term back is often applied to the upper part of the horse1 from the withers to the highest point of the croup 7,fig4 #adh1 ,h74 ,this measurement includes the loins 7#ab7 as well as the back4 ,the bones 7six vertebrae7 of the loins have no ribs1 and1 consequently1 the flanks on each side are soft to the touch1 and have a tendency to fall in 7become depressed71 especially if the abdomen1 which is underneath them1 be insufficiently filled with food4 ,the croup 7#ag7 is that part of the spine which is between the loins and tail4 ,the hind legs are connected to the croup by means of the pelvis1 which is firmly united to the croup by strong ligaments4 ,the pelvis stands in the same relation to the hind legs as the shoulder blades do to the fore limbs1 the chief difference between them being that the pelvis is a single bony structure composed of several bones1 and the shoulder blades are separate bones4 ,the front part of the pelvis is called the point of the hip 7,s74 ,the stifle 7,n7 is the joint of the hind leg which is at the lower part of the flank4 ,the thigh extends from the stifle to the hip joint4 ,the hock 7#bj7 is the large and freely movable joint which is immediately above the hind cannon-bone4 ,the point of the hock 7,q7 is the bony projection at the back and top of the hock4 ,the hamstring1 or tendo ,achillis 7,p71 is the tendinous cord which runs up the back of the leg from the point of the hock4 ,the gaskin 7#ai7 is the part of the leg immediately above the hock and bounded at the rear by the hamstring4 ,the term1 thigh1 is usually applied to the part of the hind leg above the gaskin2 but1 correctly speaking1 it is the part of the hind leg above the stifle4 ,illustration3 ,fig4 #adh4--,measurements of horse4 ,the belly1 or abdomen 7#ae71 is the underneath portion of the body of the horse which is not covered by bone4 ,the point of the buttock 7,o7 is the rearmost point of the pelvis4 ,the dock 7,r7 is the solid part of the tail4 ,the height of a horse 7,a ,b1 ,fig4 #adh7 is the vertical distance of the highest point of his withers from the ground1 when he is standing with his fore legs nearly vertical and with the points of his hocks in a vertical line with the points of his buttocks4 ,i have qualified vertical by nearly when referring to the fore legs2 for when the hind legs are placed as in ,fig4 #adg1 the weight of the head and neck1 which are in front of the fore legs1 would cause the animal to stand somewhat over4 ,when a pony is being measured for polo or racing1 his legs should be placed in the position ,i have described1 although his head may be lowered until his crest is parallel with the ground4 ,the length of the body of a horse 7,d ,e1 ,fig4 #adh71 may be assumed as the horizontal distance from the front of the chest to a line dropped vertically from the point of the buttock4 ,this measurement is a somewhat arbitrary one1 but it is probably the best for the purpose4 ,french writers generally take the length of a horse as the distance from the point of the shoulder to the point of the buttock4 ,as this is not a horizontal measurement1 ,i prefer to it the one just given4 ,the depth of the chest at 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stirrup1 #db4 ,snaffles1 #ge1 #cbf1 #dch1 #ddc1 #ddh1 #dej4 ,society for the ,prevention of ,cruelty to ,animals1 #cif4 ,sola topee1 #aae4 ,sole of the hoof1 #dfe4 ,soltikov1 #cic4 ,sore backs1 #g1 #fh1 #cbd1 #cej4 ,south ,africa1 #cce1 #cia4 ,spinal curvature1 #f4 ,sporting and ,dramatic ,news1 #dbh4 ,spur1 #agg4 on whip1 #ahb4 ,square seat1 #aec-aee4 ,stable ,management and ,exercise1 #cej4 ,standing jump1 #bda4 ,standing martingale1 #dci4 over1 #dgb4 ,stapleford ,park1 #bej4 ,staples1 #ed4 ,stake-and-bound fence1 #bdi4 ,starting1 #ahe4 ,steady6 #afi1 #bjd4 ,steadying horses1 #bbc4 ,steep ground1 #cbj4 ,steiger1 #dfc4 ,steinbock1 coursing1 #cia4 ,stifle1 #dgj4 ,stirrup bar1 #bg4 1 case for extra1 #db4 1 leather1 #cf-ch4 1 length of1 #aef4 1 man's1 #ej4 1 position of foot in1 #aef4 too long1 #adf4 ,stirrups1 safety1 #db-ea1 #fd-ff4 ,stock1 #abb4 ,stokes1 ,william1 #dbh4 ,stone gaps1 #bfi4 walls1 #bfi4 ,strangers1 #cbg4 ,stuffing of saddle1 #cb1 #cc4 ,stumbling1 #dcf4 ,subscriptions1 hunt1 #cjf4 ,suffolk ,punch1 #chg4 ,suez1 #chh4 ,surtees1 #ccj4 ,suspensory ligament1 #dfg4 ,swimming1 #dfb4 ,syces1 #dbd4 ,tailors1 #hi1 #ajb-aje4 ,talking to horses1 #bbi1 #bcj4 ,tan1 #dcg4 ,tannoform1 #cea4 ,tautz1 ,mr41 #id1 #aaj4 ,tendo ,achillis1 #dgj4 ,tendons1 #dfg4 ,terai hat1 #aae4 ,terence1 #chd4 ,tientsin1 #chh1 #dfb4 ,tiergarten1 #af1 #cib1 #dbi4 ,tips1 #ceb4 ,tit-bits for horses1 #agj4 ,thanks1 #ceb4 ,the ,young ,lady's ,equestrian ,manual1 #cje ,the ,wanton ,mutilation of ,animals1 #bc4 ,thigh1 #dgj1 #dga4 ,third crutch1 #cje4 pommel1 #cje4 ,thompson1 ,mr4 ,anstruther1 #ceb4 ,thong1 #agc4 ,throat-latch1 #gd1 #hh4 ,thrush1 #dcf1 #dcg1 #dff4 ,thoughts on ,hunting1 #cae4 ,throwing up the head1 #dch4 ,toe1 #dfe4 ,tougal1 ,mr41 #che4 ,tree1 points of the1 #bg1 #bi4 1 saddle1 #be1 #bf-ca4 ,trot1 rising at the1 #aij-aid4 1 the1 #ahi-bjj1 #bci4 ,turner1 ,captain1 #chd4 ,turning1 #ahg4 ,tushes1 #hf4 ,tweedie1 ,mrs41 #dbh4 ,twitches1 #daf1 #dag4 ,under-bodice1 #abb4 ,under-clothing1 #aab4 ,upper crutch1 #bi4 ,vale of ,white ,horse1 #cjg4 ,vehicles1 passing1 #bbi4 ,venus de ,medici1 #ba4 ,veterinary ,notes for ,horse-owners1 #bb1 #cdg1 #cej1 #dcf4 ,vizianagram1 #cha4 ,voice1 #afe1 #bjd1 #bbi4 ,voltaire1 #bd4 ,walers1 #ba4 ,walk1 the1 #ahe1 #bci4 ,walker1 ,colonel1 #dbd4 ,walking puppies1 #cid-dac4 ,wall of hoof1 #dfe4 ,wanton ,mutilation of ,animals1 ,the1 #bc4 ,ward1 ,mr4 ,frank1 #age4 ,ward's ,riding ,school1 #ei1 #fj1 #afg1 #cca4 ,warwickshire ,hunt1 #cjf1 #cjg4 ,washing horses' feet1 #dcf4 puppies1 #djb4 ,watches1 #cbc4 ,watering horses1 #dag1 #dah4 ,webs1 #bh4 ,weight of side-saddle1 #ed4 ,whip1 hunting1 #agb4 ,whips1 #ccd4 ,whissendine1 #bej4 ,whiskey1 #cej4 ,whoa6 #agj4 ,whyte ,melville1 #ahj1 #aha1 #bji1 #caj1 #cad1 #cae1 #cgf1 #dbj4 ,wilberforce1 ,archbishop1 #cgf4 ,willows1 pollard1 #cch4 ,wintle1 ,mr41 #bca4 ,wire1 #bej1 #ceg-cgc4 fund1 #cjg4 ,withers1 #dfh4 ,women riding1 #a4 ,woodland country1 #cch4 ,wroughton1 ,mr41 #cfa4 ,yelvertoft ,church1 #bgj4 ,young horses1 #ae1 #af1 #aff1 #dcc1 #dcd1 #dce1 #ddc4 ,zebra1 riding a1 #fb1 #def4 ,list of ,books on ,horses ,by ,,captain ,m4 ,,horace ,,hayes1 ,f4,r4,c4,v4,s4 ,the ,field4--,as trainer1 owner and rider of horses on the flat and over a country1 the author has had a wide experience1 and when to this is added competent veterinary knowledge1 it is clear that ,,captain ,,hayes is entitled to attention when he speaks4 ,,published ,,by ,,messrs4 ,,hurst ,,blackett1 ,,ltd4 #ac1 ,great ,marlborough ,street1 ,w4 ,,books ,,on ,,horses4 ,,veterinary ,,notes for ,,horse-,,owners4 ,an ,illustrated ,manual of ,horse ,medicine and ,surgery1 written in simple language1 with #bfg ,illustrations4 ,sixth ,edition4 ,revised throughout1 considerably enlarged1 and #aba new and original ,photographs added4 ,large crown #hvo1 buckram1 #aes4 net4 ,a necessary guide for horse-owners1 especially those who are far removed from immediate professional assistance4--,the ,times4 ,of the many popular veterinary books which have come under our notice1 this is certainly one of the most scientific and reliable4--,the ,field4 ,this book leaves nothing to be desired on the score of lucidity and comprehensiveness4--,veterinary ,journal4 ,it is superfluous to commend a book that is an established success1 and that has gone on from edition to edition extending its usefulness4--,army and ,navy ,gazette4 ,,points ,,of ,,the ,,horse4 ,a ,familiar ,treatise on ,equine ,conformation4 ,third ,edition in the ,press4 ,capt4 ,horace ,hayes1 the best of writers upon horses1 has issued a second edition--considerably altered and enlarged1 and magnificently illustrated--of his admirable work upon the ',points of the ,horse1' which is1 in fact1 a complete work on horses1 their races and peculiarities4--,athenaeum4 ,the intrinsic value of the book and the high professional reputation of the author should ensure this new edition a cordial welcome from sportsmen and all lovers of the horse4--,the ,times4 ,,riding ,,and ,,hunting4 ,fully ,illustrated with upwards of #bej ,reproductions of ,photographs and ,drawings4 ,in #a vol41 demy #hvo1 cloth4 ,price #afs4 net4 ,capt4 ,hayes has produced a book which cannot fail to interest1 if not to instruct the experienced horseman1 and the beginner may learn from its pages practically all that it is necessary for him to know4--,the ,world4 ,we can imagine no more suitable present for one who is learning to ride than this book4--,pall ,hall ,gazette4 ,he is no doubt the greatest authority1 both on horses and horsemanship1 now living in this country4 ,everything which he writes is lucidly expressed1 and no detail is too trivial to be explained4--,the ,spectator4 ,,the ,,horsewoman4 ,a ,practical ,guide to ,side-,saddle ,riding4 ,by ,,mrs4 ,,hayes4 ,edited by ,,capt4 ,m4 ,h4 ,,hayes4 ,second ,edition1 re-written1 enlarged1 and with about #aej new and original ,photographic ,illustrations added4 #a vol41 demy #hvo4 #abs4 net4 ,this is the first occasion on which a practical horseman and a practical horsewoman have collaborated in bringing out a book on riding for ladies4 ,the result is in every way satisfactory1 and1 no matter how well a lady may ride1 she will gain much valuable information from a perusal of ',the ,horsewoman4'--,field4 ,a large amount of sound1 practical instruction1 very judiciously and pleasantly imparted4--,the ,times4 ,we have seldom come across a brighter book than ',the ,horsewoman4'--,the ,athenaeum4 ,with a very strong recommendation of this book as far and away the best guide to side-saddle riding we have seen4--,saturday ,review4 ,,stable ,,management ,,and ,,exercise4 ,a ,book for ,horse-,owners and ,students4 ,illustrated by numerous ,reproductions of ,photographs taken specially for this work4 ,in #a vol41 demy #hvo4 ,price #abs4 net4 ,capt4 ,hayes1 who may justly claim to be the first authority now living on all matters connected with the horse1 is always welcome1 and the more so because each successive volume is a monument of 'the reason why4'--,the ,county ,gentleman4 ,eminently practical4--,the ,field4 ,the work of an exceptionally competent authority1 who thoroughly understands his subject1 and is able to make the results of his practical knowledge clear to readers4--,badminton ,magazine4 ,,illustrated ,,horsebreaking4 ,second and ,cheaper ,edition4 ,large crown #hvo4 ,price #abs4 net4 ,this ,edition has been entirely rewritten1 the amount of the letterpress more than doubled1 and #ge reproductions of ,photographs have been added4 ,it is a characteristic of all ,captain ,hayes' books on horses that they are eminently practical1 and the present one is no exception to the rule4 ,a work which is entitled to high praise as being far and away the best reasoned-out one on breaking under a new system we have seen4--,the ,field4 ,the work is eminently practical and reliable4--,veterinary ,journal4 ,,horses ,,on ,,board ,,ship4 ,a ,guide to their ,management4 ,by ,m4 ,h4 ,,hayes4 ,in #a vol41 crown #hvo1 with numerous ,illustrations from ,photographs taken by the ,author during two voyages to ,south ,africa with horses4 ,price #cs4 #f;d4 net4 ,the book altogether is like the rest of ,captain ,hayes' works1 written on sound1 practical lines1 and is all the more welcome in that it deals with a subject on which we have yet a great deal to learn4--,the ,field4 ,as he has had two voyages to ,south ,africa in charge of large consignments1 his experience is eminently practical1 and his book contains much valuable information1 and ought to enable the ,war ,office to avoid in the future some of the errors of the past4--,morning ,post4 ,we are sure that the book will be found useful and instructive to those who are new to the work of conveying either large or small numbers of horses across the seas4--,county ,gentleman4 ,,training ,,and ,,horse ,,management ,,in ,,india4 ,fifth ,edition4 ,crown #hvo1 cloth1 #fs4 ,we entertain a very high opinion of ,capt4 ,hayes' book on ',horse ,training and ,management in ,india1' and are of opinion that no better guide could be placed in the hands of either amateur horseman or veterinary surgeon newly arrived in that important division of our ,empire4--,veterinary ,journal4 ,,infective ,,diseases ,,of ,,animals4 ,being ,part ,i4 of the ,translation of ,friedberger and ,froehner's ,pathology of the ,domestic ,animals4 ,translated and ,edited by the ,author4 ,with a ,chapter on ,bacteriology by ,dr4 ,g4 ,,newman1 ,d4,p4,h4 ,demy #hvo1 #ajs4 #f;d4 net4 ,whether considered as a work of reference for busy practitioners1 as a text-book for students1 or as a treatise on pathology in its widest significance1 this volume meets every requirement1 and is an invaluable addition to our literature4--,veterinary ,record4 ,,among ,,horses ,,in ,,russia4 ,with #ec ,illustrations from ,photographs taken chiefly by the ,author4 ,in #a vol41 large crown #hvo4 ,price #ajs4 #f;d4 net4 ,the book is exceedingly well written and illustrated4--,graphic4 ,the author has made an exceedingly entertaining book of his experiences4--,baily's ,magazine4 ,,among ,,horses ,,in ,,south ,,africa4 ,in #a vol41 crown #hvo4 ,price #es4 ,capt4 ,hayes' book is genuinely interesting1 and fully repays reading4--,black and ,white4 ,the book is very readable4--,spectator4 ,the book is written in a pleasant1 chatty style1 and with a broad mind4--,sportsman4 ,,modern ,,polo4 ,by ,captain ,e4 ,d4 ,,miller1 late #agth ,lancers4 ,edited by ,captain ,m4 ,h4 ,,hayes4 ,second ,edition1 revised and enlarged4 ,in one vol41 demy #hvo41 with numerous ,illustrations from ,photographs and ,drawings4 ,price #afs4 net4 ,both in the matter of polo-playing and in that of choosing or breeding polo ponies1 the volume is a certain authority4--,the ,times4 ',modern ,polo1' written by ,e4 ,d4 ,miller and edited by ,capt ,m4 ,h4 ,hayes1 will assuredly become the authoritative work concerning the game1 which is rapidly growing in favour in this country4 ,it is clear and bright in style1 and it is provided with numerous illustrations from photographs4--,black and ,white4 ,mr4 ,miller's is by no means the only work upon the ,game of ,polo1 but it is1 at least1 the most complete and comprehensive work upon the subject that has yet been issued4 ,it has had the benefit1 too1 of the editorship of ,capt4 ,m4 ,h4 ,hayes1 one of the best authorities of the day in regard to all matters connected with horsemanship4 ,to ,capt4 ,hayes are also due the excellent photographs by which the book is illustrated1 showing almost every turn and stroke in a rather complicated game4--,graphic4 ,,london3 ,,hurst ,,and ,,blackett1 ,,limited4 ,transcriber's ,note ,the following typographical errors have been corrected3 xiii #fh ,ready changed to #fh4 ,ready xiii #ge ,holding changed to #ge4 ,holding xiii in ,fig #gg changed to in ,fig4 #gg #ai ,arab pony1 ,freddie changed to ,arab pony1 ,freddie4 #dh ,fig4 #be4 ,cope's changed to ,fig4 #be4--;,cope's #fb wanderers home changed to wanderers home4 #ajb ,photo by changed to ,photo4 by #abe ,,dismounting1 changed to ,,dismounting4 #acg on both sides changed to on both sides4 #agd in ,fig #hg changed to in ,fig4 #hg #aie a-well executed changed to a well-executed #bej #ajf4--;,a cut and-laid changed to #ajf4--;,a cut-and-laid #bgc in ,fig #aae changed to in ,fig4 #aae #dgh #cdb-bde changed to #cdb-cde #dgi ,moore1 ,george1 #dbb changed to ,moore1 ,george1 #dbb4 #dgi ,ninteenth changed to ,nineteenth ,ads p4 #c ,,management ,,and ,,exercise changed to ,,management ,,and ,,exercise4 ,ads p4 #c ,,management ,,in ,,india changed to ,,management ,,in ,,india ,ads p4 #d ,sportsman changed to ,sportsman4 ,the following words were inconsistently spelled or hyphenated3 ,breast-plate _/ ,breastplate buck-jumpers _/ buckjumpers cavesson _/ cavasson cheek pieces _/ cheek-pieces _/ cheekpieces cross-saddle _/ cross saddle cross-country _/ 'cross-country _/ cross country _/ 'cross country cub-hunting _/ cub hunting fore-hand _/ forehand fore-leg _/ foreleg _/ fore leg ,fox-hunting _/ ,foxhunting hair-pins _/ hairpins head-stall _/ headstall ,hooked-back _/ ,hooked back ,illustrated ,horse-,breaking _/ ,illustrated ,horse ,breaking _/ ,illustrated ,horsebreaking mouth-piece _/ mouthpiece nose-band _/ noseband now-a-days _/ nowadays paper-chase _/ paperchase race-course _/ racecourse race-horses _/ race-horses re-written _/ rewritten safety-bar _/ safety bar sheep-dogs _/ sheepdogs side-saddle _/ side saddle side-saddles _/ side saddles steeple-chase _/ steeplechase steeple-chasing _/ steeplechasing stirrup-bar _/ stirrup bar ,thorough-bred _/ ,thoroughbred ,under-clothing _/ ,underclothing ,whyte-,melville _/ ,whyte ,melville