,transcriber's ,note ,obvious typographical errors have been corrected4 ,a list of corrections is found at the end of the text4 ,,the ,,young ,,lady',s ,,equestrian ,,manual4 ,illustration ,illustration ,illustration3 ,,the ,,young ,,lady',s ,,equestrian ,,manual4 ,e4,,landells4,s4 ,,london4 ,,whitehead ,,and ,,comp,y4 #gf1 ,,fleet ,,street4 ,,mdcccxxxviii4 ,illustration ,,preface4 ,the following pages contain a ,treatise on the ,art of ,riding on ,horseback1 for ,ladies1 which originally appeared in the ,publishers' well-known ,manual of elegant feminine ,recreations1 ,exercises1 and ,pursuits1 ,,the ,,young ,,lady',s ,,book2 with1 however1 various additions to the ,text1 and a number of new ,illustrations and ,embellishments4 ,in offering the ,treatise1 thus improved and adorned1 in a separate form1 the ,publishers1 it need scarcely be said1 have been influenced1 materially1 by that high and most extensive patronage1 which1 under ,royal auspices1 has been conferred by the ladies of this country1 since the commencement of the present reign1 on the ,art of which it is the subject4 ,illustration ,illustration ,,contents4 ,page ,,introduction #g ,,equestrian ,,technicalities #bc ,,the ,,lady',s ,,horse #bf ,,personal ,,equipments #ca ,,accoutrements ,,for ,,the ,,horse #cc ,,rules ,,of ,,the ,,road #cd ,,mode ,,of ,,mounting #cf ,,management ,,of ,,the ,,reins #da ,,the ,,seat ,,and ,,balance #dd ,,aids ,,and ,,defences #ea ,,soothings ,,and ,,animations #ee ,,corrections #eh ,,vices #fj ,,exercises ,,in ,,the ,,paces #ga ,,the ,,walk #gc ,,the ,,trot #gi ,,the ,,canter #ha ,,the ,,gallop #hd ,,stopping ,,and ,,backing #he ,,leaping #hg ,,dismounting #ia ,,concluding ,,remarks #ie ,illustration ,,the ,,young ,,lady',s ,,equestrian ,,manual4 ,illustration ,our ,virgin ,queen1 peerless ,elizabeth1 ,with grace and dignity rode through the host3 ,and proudly paced that gallant steed1 as though ,he knew his saddle was a royal throne4 ,,introduction4 ,riding on ,horseback is1 confessedly1 one of the most graceful1 agreeable1 and salutary of feminine recreations4 ,no attitude1 perhaps1 can be regarded as more elegant than that of a lady in the modern side-saddle2 nor can any exercise be deemed capable of affording more rational and innocent delight1 than that of the female equestrian4 ,pursued in the open air1 it affords a most rapid1 and1 at the same time1 exhilarating succession of scenic changes1 at a degree of personal exertion1 sufficient to produce immediate pleasure1 without inducing the subsequent languor of fatigue4 ,nor is riding on horseback attended with that danger to ladies1 attributed to it by the indolent1 the melancholy1 and the timid4 ,accidents1 indeed1 in the side-saddle1 are of extremely rare occurrence4 ,strange as it may seem1 it is1 however1 an incontrovertible fact1 that horses1 in general1 are much more docile and temperate1 with riders of the fair sex1 than when mounted by men4 ,this may be attributed1 partially1 to the more backward position1 in the saddle1 of the former than the latter2 but1 principally1 perhaps1 to their superior delicacy of hand in managing the reins4 ,as an active recreation1 and a mode of conveyance1 riding on horseback appears to have been of very remote usage among our fair countrywomen4 ,during a long period1 indeed1 it was the only one known to1 or1 adopted by them1 for the performance of journies4 ,such1 too1 appears to have been the case 7with some modifications7 in other ,european countries4 ,the only voiture of the ,french1 says ,garsault1 until the reign of ,charles the ,sixth1 was the back of the horse or mule3 neither ,kings1 ,queens1 ,princes1 nor subjects were acquainted with any other4 ,in the time of that monarch1 litters1 borne by two horses1 first appeared2 but these were uncovered1 and used1 only1 by ladies of the court4 ,froissart describes ,isabel1 the second wife of ,richard the ,second of ,england1 as having been borne en une litire moult riche1 qui etoit ordonne pour elle2 and this kind of vehicle1 during the reigns of several succeeding ,monarchs1 appears to have been used by women of distinction in this country1 but1 only1 it is to be observed1 in cases of illness1 or on occasions of ceremony4 ,for example1--when ,margaret1 daughter of ,henry the ,seventh1 went into ,scotland1 she generally rode a faire palfrey2 while1 after her1 was conveyed one vary riche litere1 borne by two faire coursers1 vary nobly drest2 in the which litere the sayd ,queene was borne in the intrying of the good townes1 or otherwise1 to her good playsher4 ,towards the end of the thirteenth century1 vehicles with wheels1 for the use of ladies1 were first introduced4 ,they appear to have been of ,italian origin1 as the first notice of them is found in an account of the entry of ,charles of ,anjou into ,naples2 on which occasion1 we are told1 his queen rode in a careta1 the outside and inside of which were covered with sky-blue velvet1 interspersed with golden lilies4 ,under the ,gallicised denomination of char1 the ,italian careta1 shortly afterwards became known in ,france2 where1 so early as the year #abid1 an ordinance was issued by ,philip the ,fair1 forbidding its use to citizens' wives4 ,nor was ,england far behind in the adoption of the vehicle2 for1 in ,the ,squyr of ,low ,degree1 a poem supposed to have been written anterior to the time of ,chaucer1 we find the father of a royal lady promising that she shall hunt with him1 on the morrow1 in a chare1 drawn by ,jennettes of ,spain that ben so white1 ,trapped to the ground with velvet bright4 ,it shall be covered with velvet red1 ,and clothes of fine gold all about your head2 ,with damask white and azure blue1 ,well diapered with lilies blue4 ,however richly ornamented1 the careta1 char1 or chare--and there is little1 if any1 doubt1 to be entertained as to their identity--may have been1 it was1 probably1 a clumsy1 inelegant1 and inconvenient structure2 for its employment appears to have been far from general among high-born ladies1 even on occasions of ceremony and pomp4 ,during the fourteenth1 fifteenth1 and sixteenth centuries1 the ,french ,princesses usually rode on donkies2 and so late as the year #aecd1 a sacred festival was attended by ,queen ,eleonora1 and the females of the blood royal of ,france1 on horseback4 ,nor did the superior and more recent invention of coaches1 for a long period1 tend materially to supersede1 among ladies1 the use of the saddle4 ,these vehicles1 according to ,stow1 became known1 in ,england1 in #aehj2 but1 many years after1 ,queen ,elizabeth herself is described as having appeared1 almost daily1 on her palfrey4 ,in the time of ,charles the ,second1 the fashion1 among ladies1 of riding on horseback1 declined2 during subsequent reigns1 it gradually revived2 and the exercise may now be regarded as firmly established1 among our fair countrywomen1 by the august example of their illustrious ,queen4 ,illustration ,the present graceful1 secure1 and appropriate style of female equestrianism is1 however1 materially different from that of the olden time4 ,in by-gone days1 the dame or damosel rode precisely as the knight or page4 ,of this1 several illustrations occur in an illuminated manuscript of the fourteenth century1 preserved in the ,royal ,library4 ,in one of these1 a lady of that period is depicted on horseback1 enjoying the pastime of the chase4 ,in another1 are represented two gentlewomen of the same period1 on horseback1 with an individual of the other sex1 engaged 7as is shewn by some parts of the design1 which it would be needless1 for our present purpose1 to copy7 in the once much-favoured diversion of ,hawking4 ,illustration ,queen ,elizabeth1 says a writer in the ,encyclopdia ,londinensis1 seems to have been the first who set the ladies the more modest fashion of riding sideways4 ,considerable opposition was1 at first1 made to it1 as inconvenient and dangerous3 but1 practice1 in time1 brought it into general use2 particularly when ladies found they could ride a-hunting1 take flying leaps1 and gallop over cross roads and ploughed fields1 without meeting with more accidents than the men3 besides1 it was not only allowed to be more decorous1 but1 in many respects1 more congenial to the ease and comfort of a female rider4 ,our author is1 however1 wrong in ascribing the fashion of riding sideways1 by women in this country1 to ,elizabeth2 by whom it could only have been confirmed1 or1 at the most1 revived2--the honour of its introduction being clearly attributable to another ,queen of ,england1 who lived at a much more early period of our history4 ,ann of ,bohemia1 consort of ,richard the ,second1 is the illustrious personage to whom we allude4 ,she1 it was1 according to ,stow 7whom ,beckman follows on this point71 that originally shewed the women of this country how gracefully and conveniently they might ride on horseback sideways4 ,another old historian1 enumerating the new fashions of ,richard the ,second's reign1 observes1 ,likewise1 noble ladies then used high heads and cornets1 and robes with long trains1 and seats1 or side-saddles1 on their horses1 by the example of the respectable ,queen1 ,ann1 daughter of the ,king of ,bohemia2 who first introduced the custom into this kingdom3 for1 before1 women of every rank rode as men do 7,t4 ,,rossii1 ,hist4 ,re4 ,ang4 p4 #bje74 ,in his beautiful illustrative picture of ,chaucer's ,canterbury ,pilgrims1 ,stothard appears to have committed an anachronism1 in placing the most conspicuous female character of his fine composition sideways on her steed4 ,that the lady should have been depicted riding in the male fashion1 might1 it strikes us1 have been inferred1 without any historical research on the subject1 from the poet's describing her as having1 on her feet1 a paire of spurrs sharpe4 ,neither the original example of ,ann of ,bohemia1 nor that1 in later days1 of ,elizabeth1 as female equestrians1 however extensively followed1 had sufficient force1 entirely to abolish1 among our countrywomen1 the mode of riding like the other sex4 ,in the time of ,charles the ,second1 it appears1 from a passage in the ,duke of ,newcastle's great work on ,horsemanship1 to have still1 at least partially1 subsisted4 ,another writer of the seventeenth century1 whose manuscripts are preserved in the ,harleian collection1 speaks of it1 as having been practised1 in his time1 by the ladies of ,bury1 in ,suffolk1 when hunting or hawking2 and our venerable contemporary1 ,lawrence 7a voluminous writer on the horse71 it is worthy of remark1 states1 that at an early period of his own life1 two young ladies of good family1 then residing near ,ipswich1 in the same county1 were in the constant habit of riding about the country1 in their smart doe-skins1 great coats1 and flapped beaver hats4 ,illustration ,although entirely relinquished1 at present1 perhaps in this country1 the mode of female equestrianism under notice continues to prevail in various other localities4 ,in the following sketch1 taken from ,charles ,audry's magnificent ,ecole d' ,equitation1 a ,persian lady is delineated as just about to start on a journey1 in the saddle2 and1 in the next1 which is engraved from an original drawing1 done from the life1 a lady and gentleman of ,lima are represented on horseback4 ,i have endeavoured1 the artist says1 in manuscript1 on the reverse of his sketch1 to depict the horses 'pacing2' as they are almost universally taught to do1 in ,peru3 that is1 to move both the legs1 of one side1 forward together4 ,it resembles an ,english butcher's trot in appearance2 but1 it is so easy1 that one might go to sleep on the horse3 and1 after riding 'a pacer1' it is difficult to sit a trotter at first4 ,it is1 also1 excessively rapid2--good pacers beating other horses at a gallop4 ,the ladies of ,lima do not always ride with the face covered3 but1 only1 when the sun is powerful4 ,they1 sometimes1 ride in ponchos1 like the men3 in fact1 it is excessively difficult1 at first sight1 to determine whether a person on horseback be male or female4 ,illustration ,the side-saddle introduced to this country by ,ann of ,bohemia1 differed1 materially1 from that now used by ,british ladies2 having1 no doubt1 been a mere pillion1 on which the rider sate1 as in a chair4 ,illustration ,illustration ,at what period our fair countrywomen first began to ride with the knee over the pommel1 we are not enabled to state3 it is1 however1 clear1 according to the original of the above sketch1 which occurs in one of the historical illustrations of equestrianism1 given by ,audry1 that the courtly dames of ,england did so1 about the middle of the seventeenth century4 ,our author describes the figure1 as being that of the ,countess of ,newcastle4 ,illustration ,it may be conjectured1 that a single crutch1 only1 for the advanced leg1 was at first used2 and this1 it is not improbable1 was fixed on the centre of the pommel1 as in the lady's saddle1 now1 or at least very lately1 common in some parts of ,mexico2 where the women1 it would seem1 ride with the left hand towards the animal's head4 ,this1 also1 appears to have been1 sometimes1 the case1 down to a recent period1 in our own country2 for1 in rather a modern description of the side-saddle1 the crutches are spoken of as being moveable1 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 horse4#ah-99 ,that a second crutch was used about the middle of the last century 7we are unable to state how much earlier71 in ,france1 at least1 is evident from a plate of the lady's hunting saddle1 at that period1 given by ,garsault2 in which1 it is curious1 a sort of hold-fast is provided for the fair equestrian's right hand4 ,but1 even so recently as ,garsault's time1 the saddle in ordinary use1 by ,french women1 was1 we learn from his work on equitation1 still1 a kind of pillion1 on which the rider sate1 diagonally1 with both feet resting on a broad suspended ledge or stirrup4 ,the pillion in this country has not yet become obsolete2 being still1 frequently1 to be seen1 on the backs of donkies and hack ponies1 at watering places4 ,during the early part of the present century1 its employment continued to be general4 ,it was fixed behind a man's saddle1 on the croup of a steady horse1 trained to go at an easy though shuffling pace between a walk and a trot4 ,the groom1 or gentleman1 equipped with a broad leathern belt buckled about his waist--by which the lady secured her position1 in case of need--first mounted2 and his fair companion was then lifted1 backwards1 and behind him1 into her seat4 ,in an old work on horsemanship1 written by one ,william ,stokes1 and published at ,oxford1 it is not1 perhaps1 unworthy of notice1 directions are given for vaulting into the saddle1 after the lady has been placed on the croup2 together with a plate illustrative of so exquisitely nice and marvellously absurd an operation4 ,in ,mexico they manage these things1 if not better1 at all events1 with more gallantry1 than our forefathers did1 for with them1 the pisana1 or country lady1 we are told1 is often seen mounted before her cavaliero2 who1 seated behind his fair one1 supports her with his arm thrown around her waist4 ,our illustrative sketch of this custom 7in the preceding page7 is taken from a beautiful model1--the work of a native ,mexican artist4 ,illustration ,illustration ,having1 now1 offered our fair readers a slight and unpretending historical sketch of female equestrianism1 we shall proceed1 after a few preliminary remarks1 to the practical details of the art4 ,its various advantages1 inducements1 and attractions1 as an exercise1 have1 already1 been noticed4 ,much1 however1 as we wish to interest our fair countrywomen1 in its favour1 it is proper1 on our part1 to tell them1 frankly1 that equestrianism is far from being an intuitive art3--there is no royal road to it4 ,to be enjoyed and appreciated1 it must be learnt4 ,that ease and elegance1--that comparative safety in the side-saddle1 of which we have spoken1--it is impossible to achieve1 without considerable practice1 based upon proper principles4 ,many young ladies1 however1 feel a delicate repugnance to passing through the ordeal of a riding-school2 some1 again1 do not reside in situations1 where the benefit of a teacher's directions can be procured2 while others1 erroneously flatter themselves1 that they are in possession of every needful acquirement1 as regards equestrianism1 when they have discovered how to retain a seat on the saddle1 and guide a horse by means of the bridle4 ,to such of our readers as happen to be comprised within either of these classes1--and to those1 also1 who1 after having received a professor's initiative instructions1 are desirous of further improvement1 the following pages1 if carefully perused1 will1 the writer most zealously hopes1 prove beneficial4 ,illustration ,,footnotes3 #ah-99 ,since writing the above1 we have been assured by a friend1 that1 within a few weeks past1 he has seen several ladies1 at ,brighton1 seated on the wrong side of the horse4 ,side-saddles1 with moveable crutches1 indeed1 are now far from uncommon 7to our own knowledge71 in saddlers' shops4 ,,equestrian ,,technicalities4 ,a few1 among the most generally adopted1 of these1 it will be expedient1 in the first place1 to notice and explain4 ,most parts in the external structure of the horse are known by names of obvious signification3 but such is not1 exactly1 the case with all4 ,illustration ,to commence with the anterior limb3--a is the fore pastern2 b1 the fetlock2 c1 the leg2 and d1 the arm4 ,in the hind limb1 e is the hind pastern2 f1 the hock2 g1 the stifle2 and h1 the haunch4 ,the upper surface of the neck1 i1 is denominated the crest2 k1 the withers1 and l1 the croup4 ,illustration ,in the bridle1 supposing it to be double-reined1 a is the double head-stall2 b1 the front2 c1 the nose-band2 d1 the throat-lash2 e1 e1 the snaffle rein2 and f1 f1 the curb rein4 ,at g1 g1 is the martingale4 ,illustration ,in the saddle1 a1 is the near crutch2 b1 the off crutch2 c1 the cantle2 d1 the crupper2 e1 the safe2 f1 the skirt2 g1 the stirrup2 h1 the near side half of the surcingle2 and i1 i1 the girths4 ,a lady's right hand is termed the whip-hand1 and her left1 the bridle-hand4 ,the near side of a horse is that which is on the left of the rider2 and the off side that which is on her right4 ,the height of a horse is always estimated in hands1 of four inches each3 it is always measured at the tip of the shoulder4 ,a horse is never spoken of as being so many hands tall1 but so many hands high4 ,illustration ,,the ,,lady',s ,,horse4 ,although the lady usually has a horse selected for her1 by some gentleman1 either of her own family or her acquaintance1 it may not be inexpedient to inform the fair reader of those qualities which1 combined in the same animal1 may be said to constitute a complete lady's horse4 ,such a creature1 however1 we must observe1 is exceedingly difficult to be procured1 even by those possessed of the nicest judgment on the subject2 and1 to whom1 the usually important question of price is not an object of consideration4 ,the beau ideal of this kind of horse is superlatively elegant in form1 exquisitely fine in coat1 and unexceptionably beautiful in colour2 of a height1 in the nicest degree appropriate to the figure of the rider2 graceful1 accurate1 well-united1 and thoroughly safe in every pace2 light as a feather in the hand1 though not at all painfully sensitive to a proper action of the bit2 bold in the extreme1 yet superlatively docile2 free1 in every respect1 from what is technically denominated vice2 excellent in temper1 but still though gentle1 yet not dull2 rarely1 if ever1 requiring the stimulus of the whip1 yet submitting temperately to its occasional suggestions4 ,illustration ,in some1 though not in all respects1 the form should approach closely to that of a thorough-bred animal4 ,the head should be small1 neat1 well-set on the neck1 and gracefully carried4 ,the nostrils should be wide2 the eyes large1 rather protruding1 dark1 yet brilliant2 the ears erect1 and delicately tapering towards their tips4 ,the expression of the countenance should be lively1 animated1 noble1 and most highly intelligent2 the neck rather arched and muscular2 the ridge of the shoulders narrow and elevated2 the chest full and fleshy2 the back broad2 the body1 round or barrel-like2 the space between the hips and tail1 long1 and very gradually depressed towards the latter organ1 which1 it is essential1 should be based high on the croup4 ,the fore and hind limbs should be distant1 the one pair from the other2 the arms muscular2 the knees broad1 the hocks 7laterally7 wide2 the legs flat and sinewy2 the pasterns rather long2 and the hoofs large1 and nearly round4 ,a rough1 or1 what is technically termed1 a staring coat1 considerably deteriorates the appearance of a horse1 however perfect in other conditions4 ,its surface1 on a well-bred1 healthy1 and properly groomed animal1 is not only smooth1 but brilliantly polished4 ,the mane1 if too long and thick1 will interfere with that delicate management of the reins so desirable to a lady on horseback2 and the tail1 if of immoderate length1 will1 by the animal's whisking it towards his sides1 prove inconvenient1 to the fair rider1 at all times2 but1 especially so1 in dirty weather4 ,neither of these appendages1 however1 on the other hand1 should be ungracefully brief or scanty4 ,of all colours presented by the horse1 none is so rich1 and1 at the same time1 so elegant and chaste1 as a bright bay2 provided the mane1 tail1 and lower parts of the legs1 be black4 ,a small white star on the forehead1 and a white speck on one of the heels1 are to be considered1 rather1 as beauties1 than defects3 but much white1 either on the face or legs1 whatever be the general hue1 is quite the reverse of desirable4 ,after bright bay1 chestnut1 perhaps1 deserves to rank next in the scale of taste2 provided it be not1 as is very frequently the case1 accompanied with white legs4 ,some of the various shades of grey1 however1 are1 in the opinion of many1 entitled to be placed above it3 of these1 the silver grey1 with black mane and tail1 claims the highest place4 ,brown is rather exceptionable1 on account of its dulness4 ,black is not much admired2 though1 as we think1 when of a deep jet1 remarkably elegant4 ,roan1 sorrel1 dun1 piebald1 mouse1 and even cream colour 7however appropriate the latter may be for a state-carriage-horse7 are all to be eschewed4 ,the height of her horse should be in harmonious proportion with that of the rider4 ,a very young or short lady is in no less false a position1 as regards grace1 on a lofty steed1 than a tall1 full-grown woman1 on a diminutive pony4 ,for ladies of the general stature1 a horse measuring from fifteen to fifteen and a half hands1 at the point of the shoulder1 is usually considered1 as regards height1 more desirable than any other4 ,in paces1 the lady's horse should be perfect2 or1 at all events1 so far as regards the walk and canter4 ,the former should be fast1 bold1 firm1 and lively1 without being unsteady2 and1 the latter1 light1 easy1 well-combined1 and graceful3 so1 too1 should the hand-gallop2 although1 it is true1 a lady's horse is rarely put to this pace1 unless used for the field4 ,the trot1 again1 is but little practised3 still the complete lady's horse is expected to be capable of performing it with great precision of step1 and but little concussion to the rider3--many ladies regarding it1--however discountenanced by the majority1 perhaps1--as preferable1 from its vigour1 liveliness1 and dash1 to any other pace4 ,to expatiate on the absolute necessity of the lady's horse being safe on his limbs1 would be needless4 ,the mouth should be sensible of the most delicate hint of the rider's will1 communicated to it by means of the bit4 ,a horse that pulls hard1 or hangs heavily upon the reins1 is very unsuitable for a lady's use3 so1 again1 is one having the mouth so tender as to suffer from moderate pressure1 either by the snaffle or the curb4 ,the former is no less fatiguing to1 than the latter is distressed by1 the bridle hand4 ,illustration ,,personal ,,equipments4 ,in the selection of these1 a lady has a fair opportunity for the proper display of a refined and judicious taste4 ,all that is gaudy1 needless1 or even elaborate1 is vulgar4 ,perfect simplicity1 indeed1 as regards1 not only her own costume1 but the trappings of her palfrey1 is expected1 at the present day1 on the part of every well-bred female equestrian4 ,the habit should fit the bust1 without a crease3 but1 beneath the waist1 it ought to be1 not only long1 but1 somewhat full and flowing4 ,its colour should be dark as possible1 without being positively black4 ,the hair should be plaited2 or1 if otherwise dressed1 so arranged and secured1 that it may not be blown into the rider's eyes2 nor1 from exercise1 or the effect of humid weather1 be liable to be so discomposed1 as to become embarrassing4 ,to ride in a bonnet is far from judicious4 ,a hat1 or neat undress military cap1 is indispensable to the female equestrian4 ,it should be secured most carefully to the head3 for1 the loss of it would not merely be inconvenient1 but1 perhaps1 dangerous1 from the startling effect which its fall might produce on the sensitive temperament of the horse4 ,a veil is the reverse of objectionable1 provided it be of moderate length1 and safely tied to the hat or cap2 which1 it is proper to state1 should have no other ornament or appendage4 ,the whip should be exquisitely neat and highly finished2 but with little1 if any1 decoration4 ,illustration ,,accoutrements ,,for ,,the ,,horse4 ,every accoutrement for the horse1 however ornamental and pictorial1 beyond the mere saddle and bridle1 is to be rejected1 as being in bad taste4 ,the crupper and breast-band are now almost obsolete2 the saddle-cloth has nearly disappeared2 nettings are1 generally speaking1 abandoned2 and the martingale itself1 valuable as it may be for horses of a certain character1 is rarely to be seen4 ,simplicity1 indeed1 as regards female equestrianism1 is now imperatively 7and1 strange to say1 most judiciously7 enjoined1 by that same fickle goddess1 ,fashion1 in obedience to whose sovereign behest1 a lady's horse1 in the olden time1 was disguised1 as it were1 in cloth of gold most curiously wrought4 ,illustration ,,rules ,,of ,,the ,,road4 ,without a knowledge of these1 the fair equestrian1 when riding in public1 would be exposed to considerable inconvenience1 and1 often1 to no slight degree of danger4 ,by a generally understood compact1 persons1 whether riding or driving1 when proceeding in opposite directions1 pass1 each on his or her own near1 or left-hand1 side1 of the road2 and when on a parallel course1 the faster party goes by the other1 on the off1 or right4 ,in other words1 when the former is the case1 the right hands of the parties meeting1 are towards each other2 and1 in the latter1 the left hand of the faster1 is towards the right hand of the slower4 ,it follows1 therefore1 that when the rider is about to meet horses or carriages1 she should take her ground on her near1 or left1 side of the road2 and1 when about to pass those travelling in the same direction with1 though at a less speedy pace than1 herself1 on her right1 or off4 ,in meeting one rider1 or vehicle1 and1 at the same time1 passing1 by superior speed1 another1 she must leave the first1 on her right1 and the second1 on her left4 ,it will not be inexpedient1 under the present head1 to make some observations as to which side the lady should take1 when riding in company with a gentleman4 ,adams1 a teacher of equitation1 and the author of a work on the subject1 remarks1 that the only inducements for a gentleman to ride on the left of a lady1 would be1 that1 by having his right hand towards her1 in case of her needing assistance1 he might1 the more readily and efficiently1 be enabled to afford it1 than if he were on the opposite side2 and1 should any disarrangement occur in the skirt of her habit1 he might screen it until remedied4 ,on the other hand1 our author observes1 with great good sense1 though in terms somewhat homely1--addressing1 it is to be noticed1 his remarks to gentlemen1--the inconvenience of riding on the left of the lady1 is1 that if you ride near1 to give her any assistance1 you are liable to rub1 or incommode1 the lady's legs1 and alarm her2 and the spur is liable to catch1 or tear1 the lady's habit3 if the roads are dirty1 your horse1 likewise1 bespatters the lady's habit4 ,on the right hand of the lady1 these inconveniences do not occur1 if you ride ever so close2 and you are situated next the carriages1 and the various objects you meet1 which1 in narrow roads1 or1 passing near1 might intimidate a lady4 ,for these reasons1 ,i think it most proper to take the right hand of a lady4 ,illustration ,,mounting4 ,on approaching a horse1 the skirt of the habit should be gracefully gathered up1 and the whip be carried in the right hand4 ,illustration ,illustration ,it is the groom's duty1 when the rider approaches1 to gather up the reins with his left hand1 smoothly and evenly1 the curb rein between1 and somewhat tighter than the bridoon1 properly dividing them with his fore-finger4 ,the lady advancing1 on the near side of the horse1 to the saddle1 receives them a little more forward than the point of the horse's shoulder1 with her right hand1 which still retains and passes the whip over the saddle to the off or right side4 ,on taking the bridle in this manner1 her fore-finger is placed between the reins3 the groom then removes his hand1 and the lady draws her own back1 suffering the reins to glide gently and evenly through her fingers1 until she reaches the near crutch of the saddle1 which she takes with her right hand1 still holding the whip and reins1 and places herself close to the near side of the horse1 with her back almost turned towards him4 ,the groom now quits his former post1 and prepares to assist her to mount4 ,the horse being thus left to the lady's government1 it is proper1 that1 in passing her hand through the reins she should not have suffered them to become so loose as to prevent her1 when her hand is on the crutch1 from having a light1 but steady bearing on the bit1 and thus keeping the horse to his position during the process of mounting4 ,she next places her left foot firmly in the right hand of the groom1 or gentleman1 in attendance1 who stoops to receive it4 ,the lady then puts her left hand on his right shoulder2 and1 straightening her left knee1 bears her weight on the assistant's hand2 which he gradually raises 7rising1 himself1 at the same time7 until she is seated on the saddle4 ,during her elevation1 she steadies1 and even1 if necessary1 partly assists herself towards the saddle by her hands2 one of which1 it will be recollected1 is placed on the crutch1 and the other on her assistant's shoulder4 ,it is important that she should keep her foot firm and her knee straight4 ,illustration ,if these directions be well attended to1 she will find herself raised to her saddle with but a trifling exertion1 either1 on her own part1 or that of the assistant4 ,should the latter be a lad only1 or a groom not much accustomed to this part of his business1 he should use both hands instead of one2--joining them by the fingers3 indeed1 this1 generally speaking1 is the safer mode4 ,the lady1 in all cases1 should take care that her weight be well balanced on her left foot1 from which she should rise as perpendicularly as possible2 above all things taking care not to put her foot forward1 but keeping it directly under her4 ,the assistant should not begin to raise her until she has removed her right foot from the ground1 and1 by strengthening her knee1 thrown her weight completely into his hand4 ,illustration ,having reached the saddle1 while her face is still turned to the near side of the horse1 and before she places her knee on the pommel1 the assistant puts the lady's left foot in the stirrup1 while she removes her hand from the near to the off crutch of the saddle1 holding the whip and reins as before directed4 ,she now raises herself on the stirrup by the aid of her right hand1 while the assistant1 or the lady herself1 with her left hand1 draws the habit forward in its place4 ,she then places her right knee between the crutches1 and her seat is taken4 ,should the back part of the habit at this time1 or afterwards1 in the course of the ride1 require any arrangement1 the lady raises herself in the stirrup1 by strengthening her knee1 and1 with her left hand1 disposes her habit to her satisfaction4 ,illustration ,,the ,,reins4 ,pupils1 during their first lessons1 may arrange the reins in the following manner3--,the right hand is removed from the crutch of the saddle2 the reins are separated1 and one is held in each hand1 passing up between the third and fourth fingers1 the ends being brought over the fore-fingers1 and held in their places by closing the thumbs upon them1 and shutting the hands3 these should be on a level with each other1 at a little distance apart1 three inches from the body1 or thereabouts1 with the knuckles of the little fingers in a line with the elbow4 ,by slightly advancing the hands1 or even relaxing the hold of the reins1 the horse1 if well trained1 will go forward4 ,the left hand is raised to turn to the near or left side1 and the right hand to turn in an opposite direction4 ,by slightly raising and approaching both hands toward the body1 the horse may be made to stop4 ,when either rein is acted on1 to turn the horse1 the other should be a little slackened1 or the hand which holds it relaxed4 ,as soon as the pupil has passed her noviciate in the art1 she holds both reins in the left hand4 ,some ladies separate them by the third and fourth fingers2 others1 by one of these fingers only2 and many1 by the fourth and little finger3 but the greater number use the latter alone for this purpose1 passing the off or right rein over it1 and bringing the near or left rein up beneath it4 ,the reins are carried flat upon each other up through the hand1 near the middle joint of the fore-finger1 and the thumb is placed upon them so that their ends fall down in front of the knuckles4 ,the elbow should neither be squeezed close to the side1 nor thrust out into an awkward and unnatural position2 but be carried easily and gracefully1 at a moderate distance from the body4 ,the thumb should be uppermost1 and the hand so placed that the lower part of it be nearer the waist than the upper2 the wrist should be slightly rounded1 the little finger in a line with the elbow1 and the nails turned towards the rider4 ,with the reins in this position1 the lady1 if she wish her horse to advance1 brings her thumb towards her1 until the knuckles are uppermost1 and the nails over the horse's shoulder3 the reins1 by this simple motion1 are slackened sufficiently to permit him to move forward4 ,after he is put in motion1 the rider's hand should return to the first position1 gradually2 or it may be slightly advanced1 and the thumb turned upwards immediately4 ,to direct a horse to the left1 let the thumb1 which in the first position is uppermost1 be turned to the right1 the little finger to the left1 and the back of the hand brought upwards4 ,this movement is performed in a moment1 and it will cause the left rein to hang slack1 while the right is tightened so as to press against the horse's neck4 ,to direct the horse to the right1 the hand should quit the first position1 the nails be turned upwards1 the little finger brought in towards the right1 and the thumb moved to the left3 the left rein will thus press the neck1 while the right one is slackened4 ,to stop the horse1 or make him back1 the nails should be turned1 from the first position1 upwards1 the knuckles be reversed1 and the wrist be rounded as much as possible4 ,illustration ,,the ,,seat ,,and ,,balance4 ,the body should always be in a situation1 as well to preserve the balance1 as to maintain the seat4 ,illustration ,one of the most common errors committed by ladies on horseback1 who have not been properly taught to ride is hanging by the near crutch1 so that1 instead of being gracefully seated in the centre of the saddle1 with the head in its proper situation1 and the shoulders even1 the body is inclined to the left1 the head is brought to the right by an inelegant bend of the neck1 the right shoulder is elevated1 and the left depressed4 ,to correct or avoid these and similar faults1 is important4 ,all the rider's movements should harmonize with the paces of the animal3 her position should be at once easy to herself and to her horse2 and alike calculated to ensure her own safety and give her a perfect command over the animal4 ,if she sit in a careless1 ungraceful manner1 the action of her horse will be the reverse of elegant4 ,a lady seldom appears to greater advantage than when mounted on a fine horse1 if her deportment be graceful1 and her positions correspond with his paces and attitudes2 but the reverse is the case1 if1 instead of acting with1 and influencing the movements of the horse1 she appear to be tossed to and fro1 and overcome by them4 ,she should rise1 descend1 advance1 and stop with1 and not after the animal4 ,from this harmony of motion result ease1 elegance1 and the most brilliant effect4 ,the lady should sit in such a position1 that the weight of the body may rest on the centre of the saddle4 ,one shoulder should not be advanced more than the other4 ,neither must she bear any weight on the stirrup1 nor hang by the crutch towards the near side4 ,she ought not to suffer herself to incline forward1 but partially backward4 ,if she bend forward1 her shoulders will1 most probably1 be rounded1 and her weight thrown too much upon the horse's withers3 in addition to these disadvantages1 the position will give her an air of timid gaucherie4 ,leaning a little backward1 on the contrary1 tends to bring the shoulders in1 keeps the weight in its proper bearing1 and produces an appearance of graceful confidence4 ,the head should be in an easy1 natural position3 that is1 neither drooping forward nor thrown back2 neither leaning to the right nor to the left4 ,the bust should be elegantly developed1 by throwing back the shoulders1 advancing the chest1 and bending the back part of the waist inward4 ,the elbows should be steady1 and kept in an easy1 and apparently unconstrained position1 near the sides4 ,the lower part of the arm should form a right angle with the upper part1 which ought to descend almost perpendicularly from the shoulder4 ,the position of the hands1 when both are occupied with the reins1 or when the reins are held in one only1 we have already noticed3 the right arm and hand1 in the latter case1 may depend1 easily1 from the shoulder1 and the whip be held in the fingers1 with the lash downward1 between two fingers and the thumb4 ,the whip may also be carried in the right hand1 in the manner adopted by gentlemen3 the lady is not restricted to any precise rules in this respect1 but may vary the position of her whip arm as she may think fit1 so that she do not permit it to appear ungraceful4 ,she must1 however1 take care that the whip be so carried1 that its point do not tickle or irritate the flank of the horse4 ,the stirrup is of very little use except to support the left foot and leg1 and to assist the rider to rise in the trot3 generally speaking1 therefore1 as we have already remarked1 none of the weight of the body should be thrown upon the stirrup4 ,the left leg must not be cramped up1 but assume an easy and comfortable position3 it should neither be forced out1 so as to render the general appearance ungraceful1 and the leg itself fatigued2 nor1 should it be pressed close to the horse1 except when used as an aid2 but descend gracefully by his side1 without bearing against it4 ,although hanging by the left crutch of the saddle1 over the near side1 is not only inelegant1 but objectionable in many important respects1 the near crutch1 properly used1 is a lady's principal dependence on horseback4 ,the right knee being passed over the near crutch1 the toes being slightly depressed1 and the leg pressed against the fore part of the saddle1 the pommel is grasped1 and the rider well secured in the possession of her seat4 ,it is said1 that when a lady1 while her horse is going at a smart trot1 can lean over1 on the right side1 far enough to see the horse's shoe1 she may be supposed to have established a correct seat2 which1 we repeat1 she should spare no pains to acquire4 ,in some of the schools1 a pupil is often directed to ride without the stirrup1 and1 with her arms placed behind her1 while the master holds the long rein1 and urges the horse to various degrees of speed1 and in different directions1 in order to settle her firmly and gracefully on the saddle1--to convince her that there is security without the stirrup1--and to teach her to accompany1 with precision and ease1 the various movements of the horse4 ,nothing can be more detrimental to the grace of a lady's appearance on horseback1 than a bad position3 a recent author says1 it is a sight that would spoil the finest landscape in the world4 ,what can be much more ridiculous1 than the appearance of a female1 whose whole frame1 through mal-position1 seems to be the sport of every movement of the horse8 ,if the lady be not mistress of her seat1 and be unable to maintain a proper position of her limbs and body1 so soon as her horse starts into a trot1 she runs the risk of being tossed about on the saddle1 like the ,halcyon of the poets in her frail nest1-- ,floating upon the boisterous rude sea4 ,if the animal should canter1 his fair rider's head will be jerked to and fro as a vexed weathercock2 her drapery will be blown about1 instead of falling gracefully around her2 and her elbows rise and fall1 or1 as it were1 flap up and down like the pinions of an awkward nestling endeavouring to fly4 ,to avoid such disagreeable similes being applied to her1 the young lady1 who aspires to be a good rider1 should1 even from her first lesson in the art1 strive to obtain a proper deportment on the saddle4 ,she ought to be correct1 without seeming stiff or formal3 and easy1 without appearing slovenly4 ,the position we have described1 subject to occasional variations1 will be found1 by experience1 to be the most natural and graceful mode of sitting a horse3--it is easy to the rider and her steed2 and enables the former to govern the actions of the latter so effectually1 in all ordinary cases1 as to produce that harmony of motion1 which is so much and so deservedly admired4 ,the balance is conducive to the ease1 elegance1 and security of the rider3--it consists in a foreknowledge of the direction which any given motion of the horse will impart to the body1 and a ready adaptation of the whole frame to the proper position1 before the animal has completed his change of attitude or action2--it is that disposition of the person1 in accordance with the movements of the horse1 which prevents it from an undue inclination1 forward or backward1 to the right or to the left4 ,by the direction and motion of the horse's legs the balance is governed4 ,if the animal be either standing still1 or merely walking straight-forward1 the body should be preserved in the simple position which we have directed the lady to assume on taking her seat4 ,should it be necessary to apply the whip1 so as to make the animal quicken his pace1 or to pull him in suddenly1 the body must be prepared to accommodate itself to the animal's change of action4 ,when going round a corner at a brisk pace1 or riding in a circle1 the body should lean back rather more than in the walking position3 to the same extent that the horse bends inward1 must the body lean in that direction4 ,if a horse shy at any object1 and either turn completely and suddenly round1 or run on one side only1 the body should1 if possible1 keep time with his movements1 and adapt itself so as to turn or swerve with him2 otherwise1 the balance will be lost1 and the rider be in danger of falling1 on the side from which the animal starts4 ,in no case1 let it be remembered1 should the rider endeavour to assist herself in preserving her balance1 by pulling at the reins4 ,illustration ,,aids ,,and ,,defences4 ,all such motions of the body1 the hands1 the legs1 and the whip1 as either indicate the rider's wishes1 or1 in some degree1 assist the horse to fulfil them1 are1 in the art of riding1 denominated aids2 and those movements of the rider which tend to save the animal from disuniting himself1 or running into danger1 may1 properly enough1 be classed under the same title3 while such as act for the preservation of the rider1 against the attempts of the horse1 when headstrong or vicious1 are termed defences4 ,the aids of the hand are considered the most important3 all the other actions of the rider tending1 principally1 to assist the bridle-hand and carry its operations into complete effect4 ,there should be a perfect harmony in the aids2 and all of them ought to be governed by those of the rein4 ,in many instances1 the power of a movement performed by the hand may be destroyed by the omission of a correct accompanying aid or defence1 with the body1 or the leg4 ,thus3--if a horse rear1 it is useless for the rider to afford him a slack rein1 if she do not also lean forward1 in order1 by throwing her weight on his fore-parts1 to bring him down1 and also to save herself from falling backward over his haunches4 ,should the rider1 when her horse rises1 slacken the reins1 but retain her usual position on the saddle1 if he rear high1 she must necessarily be thrown off her balance2 and then1 if she hang on the bit1 in order to save herself from falling1 there is great danger of her pulling the horse backward4 ,the aids and defences of the body are numerous3 we shall attempt to describe a few of them2 the residue must be acquired by practice1 and the lady's own observation4 ,when the rider indicates by her hand that she wishes the horse to advance1 the body should be inclined forward in a slight degree2 and the left leg 7with the whip1 also1 if the animal be sluggish1 or not well trained7 pressed to his side4 ,should she1 by pulling the rein towards her1 or turning the wrist in the manner we have before directed1 communicate her desire to stop1 her body ought1 at the same time1 to be thrown back1 with gentleness1 or otherwise1 in proportion to the severity of the action of the hand against the horse's inclination to increase his speed contrary to the will of his rider1 or when he leaps1 kicks1 or plunges4 ,if a horse rear1 the rider should lean forward more than in the aid for the advance3 but care must be taken1 in this case1 to perform the defence with discretion1 especially with a pony1 or galloway2 for1 should the animal rise suddenly1 and the rider throw herself abruptly forward1 it is not improbable that he might give her a violent blow on the face with the top of his head4 ,we have already mentioned1 in a previous part of our treatise1 the direction which the body should take when riding in a circle1 turning a corner1 or acting as a defence against the danger attendant upon a horse's shying4 ,in the first case1 the aid of the body1 if properly performed1 will carry with it the aid of the hand1 the leg1 and even the whip1 if it be held near the horse's side4 ,we will explain this by an example3--,suppose the rider wishes to turn a corner on her left2 she inclines a little towards it1 drawing her left shoulder in1 and thrusting her right shoulder rather forward3 the bridle-hand will thus be drawn back on the near side1 the off rein will consequently act on the horse's neck1 and the left leg be pressed close against the near side2 so that all the necessary aids for effecting her object1 are performed by one natural and easy movement4 ,the aids of the whip1 on one side1 correspond with those of the leg1 on the other3 they are not only used in the manner we have already mentioned1 when the rider wishes her horse to advance1 or increase his pace1 but also in clearing a corner1 c4 ,if the lady be desirous of turning to the left1 she may materially aid the operation of the hand1 which directs the fore-parts of the horse to the near side1 by pressing him with her stirrup leg1 so as to throw his croup in some degree to the right1 and thereby place it in a more proper position to follow the direction of his shoulders4 ,in turning to the right1 the whip may be made equally useful by driving out his croup to the left4 ,the power of these aids1 especially that of the whip1 should be increased as circumstances require4 ,the aid which is sufficient for some horses1 may not be powerful enough by half for others3 and even with1 the same animal1 while the slightest pressure will produce the desired effect in some cases1 a moderate1 or1 even1 a rather severe1 lash with the whip is necessary in others4 ,illustration ,,soothings1 ,,animations1 c4 ,the voice and the hand1 the leg1 and the whole body1 may be employed to soothe and encourage4 ,high-mettled or fretful horses1 it is often necessary to soothe1 and timid ones to encourage4 ,a spirited animal is frequently impatient when first mounted1 or1 if a horse or a carriage pass him at a quick rate2 and some horses are even so ardent and animated1 as to be unpleasant to ride when with others4 ,in either of these cases1 the rider should endeavour to soothe her horse1 by speaking to him in a calm1 gentle tone4 ,she should suffer the whip to be as motionless as possible1 and take even more than usual care that its lash do not touch the flank4 ,her seat should be easy1 her leg still1 and her bridle-hand steady4 ,the bit should not be made to press on the horse's mouth with greater severity than is necessary to maintain the rider's command2 and1 as the horse gradually subsides from his animation1 its bearing should be proportionately relaxed4 ,the perfection of soothing consists in the rider's sitting so entirely still and easy1 as not to add in the least to the horse's animation2--at the same time being on her guard1 so as to be able to effect any of her defences in an instant1 should occasion render them needful4 ,there is scarcely any difference between soothings and encouragements2 except that1 in the latter1 it is advisable to pat1 and1 as it were1 caress the horse with the right hand1 holding the whip in the left4 ,a shy or timid horse may often be encouraged to pass an object that alarms him1 to cross a bridge1 enter a gateway1 or take a leap1 when force and correction would only add to his fear1 and1 perhaps1 render him incorrigibly obstinate4 ,animations are intended to produce greater speed1 or1 to render the horse more lively and on the alert1 without increasing his pace4 ,some animals scarcely ever require animations2 while others are so dull and deficient in mettle as to call them frequently into use4 ,the slightest movement of the body1 the hand1 or the leg1 is enough to rouse the well-bred and thoroughly-trained animal2 but it is necessary for the animations to be so spirited and united1 with sluggish horses1 as almost to become corrections3 in fact1 what is a mere animation to one horse1 would be a positive correction to another4 ,the aids of the hand1 the whip1 the leg1 and the body1 which we have before described1 are animations2 so1 also1 are pattings with the hand1 the tones of the voice1 c4 ,animations should be used in all cases1 when the horse1 contrary to the rider's inclination1 either decreases his speed1 droops his head1 bears heavily and languidly on the bit1 or1 begins to be lazy or slovenly in the performance of his paces4 ,a good rider foresees the necessity of an animation before the horse actually abates his speed1 or loses the ensemble of his action1 and the grace and spirit of his deportment4 ,it is much easier to keep up1 than to restore1 a horse's animation3 therefore1 the whip1 the leg1 the hand1 or the tongue1 should do its office a few moments before1 rather than at1 the moment when its movements are indispensable4 ,a slight motion of the fingers of the bridle-hand serves as an excellent animation3 it reminds the horse of his duty1 awakens the sensibility of his mouth1 and preserves a proper correspondence between that and the hand4 ,illustration ,,corrections4 ,ladies certainly ought not to ride horses which require extraordinary correction4 ,for numerous reasons1 which must occur to our readers1 a lady should never be seen in the act of positively flogging her steed3 such a sight would destroy every previous idea that had been formed of her grace or gentleness4 ,moderate corrections are1 however1 sometimes necessary2 and the fair rider should make no scruple of having recourse to them when absolutely needful1 but not otherwise4 ,astley1 in his work on the management of the horse1 after very properly recommending all quarrels between the steed and his rider to be avoided1 observes1 that too much indulgence may induce the horse to consider that you are afraid of him2 and1 our author adds1 if he should once think you are really so1 you will find he will exercise every means to convince you that he considers himself your master1 instead of acknowledging1 by implicit obedience1 that you are his4 ,those1 who imagine that a horse is to be corrected only with the whip1 are very much mistaken4 ,the aids and animations of the leg1 the bridle-hand1 the body1 and the voice1 may be made sufficiently severe to correct and render a horse obedient in all ordinary cases4 ,severe flogging seldom produces any good effect2 and1 in most contests between a horse and his rider1 when both get out of temper1 the former usually gains some important advantage4 ,the best way to correct a horse is to dishearten1 and make him do what he would fain avoid2--not so much by force and obstinate resolution1 in contesting openly and directly with him1 when he is perfectly prepared to resist1 as1 by a cool opposition and indirect means4 ,there are different methods of attaining the same end2 and those which are the least obvious to the animal should be adopted3 a lady cannot rival him in physical strength1 but she may conquer him by mere ingenuity1 or subdue him by a calm1 determined assumption of superior power4 ,illustration ,,vices4 ,some horses are addicted to a very troublesome and vicious habit of turning round suddenly1--we do not here allude to shyness1 but restiveness1--without exhibiting any previous symptom of their intention4 ,a horse soon ascertains that the left hand is weaker than the right1 and1 consequently1 less able to oppose him2 he1 therefore1 turns on the off side1 and with such force and suddenness1 that it is almost impossible1 even if the rider be prepared for the attack1 to prevent him4 ,in this case1 it would be unwise to make the attempt3 the rider would be foiled1 and the horse become encouraged1 by his success in the struggle1 to make similar endeavours to have his own way1 or dismount his rider4 ,the better plan is1 instead of endeavouring to prevent him from turning1 with the left hand1 to pull him sharply with the right1 until his head has made a complete circle1 and he finds1 to his astonishment1 that he is precisely in the place from which he started4 ,should he repeat the turn1 on the rider's attempting to urge him on1 she should pull him round1 on the same side1 three or four times1 and assist the power of the hand in so doing1 by a smart aid of the whip1 or the leg4 ,while this is doing1 she must take care to preserve her balance1 by an inclination of her body to the centre of the circle described by the horse's head4 ,the same plan may be pursued when a horse endeavours to turn a corner1 contrary to the wish of his rider2 and1 if he be successfully baffled1 three or four times1 it is most probable that he will not renew his endeavours4 ,on the same principle1 when a horse refuses to advance1 and whipping would increase his obstinacy1 or make him rear1 or bolt away in a different direction1 it is advisable to make him walk backward1 until he evinces a willingness to advance4 ,a runaway might1 in many instances1 be cured of his vice by being suffered to gallop1 unchecked1 and being urged forward1 when he shewed an inclination to abate his speed1 rather than by attempting to pull him in3 but this remedy is1 in most situations1 dangerous1 even for men2 and all other means should be tried before it is resorted to by a lady4 ,should our fair young reader have the misfortune to be mounted on a runaway1 she may avoid evil consequences1 if she can contrive to retain her self-possession1 and act as we are about to direct4 ,she must endeavour to maintain her seat1 at all hazards1 and to preserve the best balance1 or position of body1 to carry her defences into operation4 ,the least symptom of alarm1 on her part1 will increase the terror or determination of the horse4 ,a dead heavy pull at the bridle will rather aid him1 than otherwise1 in his speed1 and prevent her from having sufficient mastery over his mouth and her own hands to guide him4 ,she must1 therefore1 hold the reins in such a manner as to keep the horse together when at the height of his pace1 and to guide him from running against anything in his course2 and1 it is most probable that he will soon abate his speed1 and gradually subside into a moderate pace4 ,sawing the mouth 7that is1 pulling each rein alternately7 will frequently bring a horse up1 in a few minutes4 ,slackening the reins for an instant1 and then jerking them with force1 may also produce a similar effect3 but1 if the latter mode be adopted1 the rider must take care that the horse1 by stopping suddenly1 do not bring her on his neck1 or throw her over his head4 ,in whatever manner the runaway be stopped1 it is advisable for the lady to be on the alert1 lest he should become so disunited1 by the operation1 as to fall4 ,our readers may think1 perhaps1 that this advice1 however easy to give1 is difficult to follow3 we beg leave1 however1 to tell them1 that although it is not so easy as drawing on a glove1 or replacing a stray curl1 it is much more practicable than they may imagine2 though1 we trust1 they may never have occasion to put it to the proof4 ,there is another situation1 in which it is advisable to force the horse1 apparently1 to have his own way1 in order to baffle his attempts4 ,restive horses1 or even docile animals1 when put out of temper1 sometimes endeavour to crush their riders' legs against walls1 gates1 trees1 posts1 c4 ,an inexperienced lady1 under such circumstances1 would strive to pull the horse away2 but her exertions would be unavailing3 the animal would feel that he could master the opposition1 and thus discovering the rider's weakness1 turn it to her disadvantage on future occasions4 ,we cannot too often repeat1 that1 although a rider should not desist until she have subdued her horse1 she must never enter into an open1 undisguised contest with him4 ,it is useless to attack him on a point which he is resolute in defending3 the assault should rather be directed to his weaker side4 ,if he fortify himself in one place1 he must proportionately diminish his powers of defence in another4 ,he anticipates and prepares to resist any attempt to overcome him on his strong side2 and his astonishment at being attacked on the other1 and with success1 on account of his weakness in that quarter1 goes far to dishearten and subdue him4 ,if he plant himself in a position of resistance against being forced to advance1 it is a matter of very little difficulty to make him go back4 ,if he appear to be determined not to go to the right1 the rider may1 on account of the mode in which he disposes his body and limbs1 turn him1 with great facility1 to the left4 ,if he stand stock-still1 and will not move in any direction1 his crime may be made his punishment3 the rider1 in such case1 should sit patiently until he shew a disposition to advance1 which he probably will in a very short time1 when he discovers that she is not annoyed by his standing still4 ,nothing will subdue a horse so soon as this mode of turning his attacks against himself1 and making his defences appear acts of obedience to the rider's inclination4 ,when1 therefore1 a horse viciously runs on one side towards a wall1 pull his head forcibly in the same direction and1 if1 by the aid of the leg or whip1 you can drive his croup out1 you may succeed in backing him completely away from it4 ,it is by no means improbable1 that when he finds that his rider is inclined to go to the wall as well as himself1 he will desist4 ,should he not1 his croup may be so turned1 outward1 that he cannot do his rider any mischief4 ,in shying1 the same principle may be acted upon1 more advantageously1 perhaps1 than in any other case4 ,should the lady's horse be alarmed at any object1 and1 instead of going up to1 or passing it1 turn round1 the rider should manage him as we have recommended in cases where the horse turns1 through restiveness4 ,he should then be soothed and encouraged1 rather than urged by correction1 to approach1 or pass1 the object that alarms him3 to attempt to force him up to it would be ridiculous and dangerous4 ,if the horse swerve from an object1 and try to pass it at a brisk rate1 it is useless to pull him towards it2 for1 if you succeed in bringing his head on one side1 his croup will be turned outward1 and his legs work in an opposite direction4 ,this resistance will increase proportionately to the exertions made by the rider4 ,a horse1 in this manner1 may fly from imaginary1 into real danger2 for he cannot see where he is going1 nor what he may run against4 ,pulling in the rein1 therefore1 on the side from which the horse shies1 is improper2 it should rather be slackened1 and the horse's head turned away from the object which terrifies him4 ,by this mode1 a triple advantage is gained3 in the first place1 the horse's attention is diverted to other things2 secondly1--the dreaded object loses half its terror when he finds no intention manifested on the rider's part to force him nearer to it2 and1 lastly1--he is enabled to see1 and1 consequently1 avoid any danger in front1 or on the other side of him4 ,a horse may be coaxed and encouraged to go up to the object that alarms him2 and1 if the rider succeed in making him approach it1 a beneficial effect will be produced3 the horse will discover that his fears were groundless1 and be less likely to start again from any similar cause4 ,after the first impulse of terror has subsided1 the animal1 if properly managed1 will even manifest an inclination to approach and examine the object that alarmed him3 but1 while he is so doing1 the rider must be on her guard2 for the least movement1 or timidity1 on her part1--the rustling of a leaf1 or the passing of a shadow1--will1 in all probability1 frighten him again1 and he will start round more violently than before4 ,after this1 it will be exceedingly difficult to bring him up to the object4 ,astley1 however1 whom we have before quoted1 says1 that should the first trial prove unsuccessful1 it must be repeated1 until you succeed2 adding1 that the second attempt should not be made until the horse's fears have subsided1 and his confidence returned4 ,a horse that is rather shy1 may1 in many cases1 be prevented from starting1 by the rider turning his head a little away from those objects1 which1 she knows by experience1 are likely to alarm him1 as well before she approaches as while she passes them4 ,a lady1 certainly1 should not ride a horse addicted to shying1 stumbling1 rearing1 or any other vice3 but she ought1 nevertheless1 to be prepared against the occurrence of either2 for1 however careful and judicious those persons1 by whom her horse is selected1 may be1 and however long a trial she may have had of his temper and merits1 she cannot be sure1 when she takes the reins1 that she may not have to use her defences against rearing or kicking1 or be required to exercise her skill to save herself from the dangers attendant on starting or stumbling1 before she dismounts4 ,the quietest horse may exhibit symptoms of vice1 even without any apparent cause1 after many years of good behaviour2 the best-tempered are not immaculate1 nor the surest-footed infallible3 it is wise1 therefore1 to be prepared4 ,stumbling is not merely unpleasant1 but dangerous4 ,to ride a horse that is apt to trip1 is like dwelling in a ruin3 we cannot be comfortable if we feel that we are unsafe2 and1 truly1 there is no safety on the back of a stumbling nag4 ,the best advice we can offer our reader1 as to such an animal1 is never to ride him after his demerits are discovered3 although the best horse in the world1 may1 we must confess1 make a false step1 and even break his knees4 ,when a horse trips1 his head should be raised and supported1 by elevating the hand2 and the lady should instantly throw herself back1 so as to relieve his shoulders from her weight4 ,it is useless to whip a horse after stumbling 7as it is1 also1 after shying72 for1 it is clear1 he would not run the risk of breaking his knees1 or his nose1 if he could help it4 ,if a horse be constantly punished for stumbling1 the moment he has recovered from a false step1 he will start forward1 flurried and disunited1 in fear of the whip1 and not only put the rider to inconvenience1 but run the risk of a repetition of his mishap1 before he regains his self-possession4 ,it being generally the practice1--and a very bad practice it is1--for riders to correct horses after having made a false step1 an habitual stumbler may be easily detected4 ,when a horse1 that is tolerably safe1 makes a false step1 he gathers himself up1 and is slightly animated for a moment or two only1 or goes on as if nothing had happened2 but if he be an old offender1 he will remember the punishment he has repeatedly received immediately after a stumble1 and dash forward in the manner we have described1 expecting the usual flagellation for his misfortune4 ,when a horse evinces any disposition to kick1 or rear1 the reins should be separated1 and held by both hands1 in the manner we have described in a previous page4 ,this should also be done when he attempts to run away1 grows restive1 or shies4 ,the body should also be put in its proper balance for performing the defences3 the shoulders should be thrown back1 the waist brought forward1 and the head well poised on the neck4 ,every part of the frame must be flexible1 but perfectly ready for action4 ,illustration ,the principal danger attendant on the horse's rearing is1 that the rider may fall over the croup1 and1 perhaps1 pull the horse backward upon her4 ,to prevent either of these consequences1 immediately that a horse rises1 slacken the reins1 and bend the body forward1 so as to throw its weight on his shoulders2 and the moment his fore-feet come to the ground1--having recovered your position1 gradually1 as he descends1--correct him smartly1 if he will bear it2 or1 endeavour to pull him round two or three times1 and thus divert him from his object4 ,the latter course may also be adopted to prevent his rearing1 if the rider should foresee his intention4 ,a horse that displays any symptoms of kicking1 should be held tight in hand4 ,while his head is well kept up1 he cannot do much mischief with his heels4 ,illustration ,if1 however1 when the rider is unprepared1 in spite of her exertions he should get his head down1 she must endeavour1 by means of the reins1 to prevent the animal from throwing himself2 and also1 by a proper inclination of her body backward1 to save herself from being thrown forward4 ,should an opportunity occur1 she must endeavour to give him two or three sharp turns3 this may also be done1 with advantage1 if she detect any incipient attempts in the animal to kick4 ,a horse inclined to rear seldom kicks much3 but he may do both alternately2 and the rider should be prepared against his attempts1 by keeping her balance in readiness for either of the opponent defences4 ,she must also take care1 that1 while she is holding her horse's head up and well in hand to keep him from kicking1 she do not cause him to rear1 by too great a degree of pressure on his mouth4 ,illustration ,,exercises ,,in ,,the ,,paces4 ,although our limits will not permit us to enter into an elaborate detail of the lessons taken by a pupil in the riding school1 it is right that we should give the learner a few useful hints on the rudiments of riding1 and not devote our whole space to the improvement of those who have made considerable progress4 ,while we endeavour to correct bad habits in the self-taught artist1--in the pupil of a kind friend1 an affectionate relative1 or of a mere groom1--to confirm the regularly educated equestrian in the true principles and practice of the art1--to remind her of what she has forgotten1 and to improve upon the knowledge she may have acquired1--we must not forget those among our young friends1 who1 having never mounted a horse1 are desirous of learning how to ride with grace and propriety1 and who dwell at a distance1 or do not feel inclined to take lessons1 from a master4 ,to such1 one-third1 at least1 of our preceding observations are applicable2 and we recommend an attentive perusal of what we have said1 as to ,mounting1 the ,aids1 c41 before they aspire to the saddle4 ,our other remarks they will find useful when they have acquired a little practice4 ,a quiet and well-trained horse1 and a careful attendant1 should1 if possible1 be procured4 ,a horse1 that knows his duty1 will almost instruct his rider2 and if a friend1 who is accustomed to horses1 or a careful servant1 accompany the pupil1 there is little or nothing to fear1 even in the first attempts4 ,the friend1 or groom1 may also1 by his advice1 materially assist the learner in her progress4 ,it would be needless for us to repeat our advice as to the manner of mounting1 holding the reins1 making the horse advance1 stop1 turn1 c41 or the proper disposition of the body and limbs3 all these1 in her early lessons1 the pupil should gradually practise4 ,illustration ,,the ,,walk4 ,let the pupil walk the horse forward in a straight line1 and at a slow rate1 supporting his head in such a manner as to make him keep time in the beats of his pace2 but not holding the reins so tight as to impede the measurement of his steps1 or to make him break into a trot on being slightly animated4 ,the hand should be so held1 that it may delicately1 but distinctly1 feel1 by the operation of the horse's mouth on the reins1 every beat of his action4 ,if he do not exert himself sufficiently1 he should be somewhat animated4 ,should he break into a trot1 he must be checked by the reins2 but the pull must neither be so firm nor continued as to make him stop4 ,the moment he obeys the rein and drops into a walk1 the hand is to be relaxed4 ,should he require animating again1 the movement for that purpose must be more gentle than before1 lest he once more break into a trot4 ,illustration ,after walking in a straight line for a short time1 the lady should practise the turn to the right and to the left2 alternately using both hands in these operations1 in the manner directed in a previous page4 ,she must observe1 that when she pulls the right rein in order to turn the horse on that side1 the other hand must be relaxed and lowered1 or advanced1 to slacken the left rein and ease the horse's mouth1 and vice vers4 ,if the horse do not readily obey the hand in turning1 or bring forward his croup sufficiently1 he must be urged to throw himself more on the bit1 by an animation of the leg or whip4 ,the animations1 during the first lessons1 should be commenced with great gentleness1 and the rider will easily discover1 by a little experience1 to what degree it is necessary to increase them1 in order to procure obedience4 ,this observation should be attended to1 were it only for the pupil's safety2 for1 if she begin with her animations above the horse's spirit1 his courage will be so raised as to endanger1 or1 at least1 alarm her1 and thus render what would otherwise be an agreeable exercise1 unpleasant4 ,after the pupil has practised walking in a straight line1 and turning on either side1 for a few days1 she may walk in a circle1 and soon make her horse wheel1 change1 demi-volt1 c4 ,the circle should be large at first2 but when the pupil has acquired her proper equilibrium1 c41 it must1 day by day1 be gradually contracted4 ,in riding round a circle1 the inner rein should be rather lowered1 and the body inclined inward4 ,this inclination must be increased during succeeding lessons1 as the circle is contracted1 and the pupil quickens the pace of her horse4 ,she must practise in the large circle1 until she is able1 by her hands and aids1 to make the horse perform it correctly4 ,the inside rein must be delicately acted upon2 if it be jerked1 at distant intervals1 or borne upon1 without intermission1 the horse1 in the former case1 will swerve in and out1 and1 in the latter1 the rider's hand1 and the animal's mouth1 will both become1 in some degree1 deadened2 and thus their correspondence will be decreased4 ,in order to procure correct action1 the inner rein should be alternately borne on in a very slight degree1 and relaxed the next instant1--the hand keeping exact time in its operations with the cadence of the horse's feet4 ,the direction is to be frequently changed2 the pupil alternately working to the right and the left1 so as to bring both her hands into practice4 ,illustration ,as soon as the rider becomes tolerably well confirmed in her seat and balance1 and in the performance of the simple aids and animations1 as well in large as small circles1 she should begin to ride in double circles2 at first of considerable diameter1 but decreasing them1 by degrees1 as she improves4 ,riding in double circles1 is guiding the horse to perform a figure of #h2 and this1 in the language of the riding-school1 is effecting the large and narrow change1 according to the size of the circles4 ,the number of the circles may be increased1 and the sizes varied1 with great advantage both to the rider and the horse4 ,they may be at some distance from each other1 and the horse be guided to work from one to the other diagonally4 ,thus1 suppose he starts from a1 he may be made to leave the upper circle at e1 and enter the lower one at d2 leave it at c1 and enter the first again at b2 and so continue for some time3 then1 beginning at f1 to quit the lower circle at c1 enter the upper one at b1 leave it at e1 and enter the lower circle again at d4 ,thus1 the position of the rider and horse are alternately changed1 from working from the right to a straight line1 thence to the left1 thence to a straight line1 and thence again to the right4 ,to give an instance of riding in a greater number of circles1 of different diameters1 let the horse start from a 7see figure1 p4 #gg71 and leave the upper circle at b1 traversing to the outer small circle at c1 passing round1 so as to enter the inner circle at e1 and going round1 by f1 to g2 quitting it at g1 and entering the lower circle at h2 quitting the latter again1 after passing round i1 at k1 and thence proceeding towards the outer small circle2 entering at l1 going round and entering the inner circle at e1 passing round1 and quitting it at f1 to return again to a1 by entering the upper circle at m4 ,these exercises may be diversified in various ways2 the pupil1 for instance1 may perform the upper circle1 and one or both of the pair below1 return to the upper circle1 cross from that1 diagonally1 to the lower circle1 quit it1 at h or k1 to perform one of the middle circles1 return to the lower circle again1 pass thence to the other middle circle1 and quit it at c or f 7as the case may happen71 to return to the upper circle again4 ,nothing can be more beneficial than this variety of action2 it tends at once to confirm the pupil in her seat2 to exercise her in her balance and aids2 and to render the horse obedient3 while1 if he be kept in only one direction1 he will perform the figure mechanically1 without either improving his own mouth and action1 or the rider's hands1 aids1 or balance4 ,illustration ,in the art of riding1 working on a circle is called a volt2 in angles1 or a zig-zag direction1 changes reverse2 and on half a circle from a line1 a demi-volt4 ,these figures may first be performed separately2 but there can be no objection to the demi-volt and changes reverse being afterwards embodied in the exercises on circles4 ,as in the last figure1 the lady may work from a in the mode directed1 for some time2 then perform the variations1 by going across from a to b1 and describe a demi-volt round by c e to a2 then return from a to b1 and work a demi-volt1 in an opposite direction1 from b to a3 thence1 the lady may proceed in a line1 enter the lower circle at d1 and re-commence riding in circles4 ,the change reverse may at any time be performed1 by quitting the upper circle at e or f1 and working on the traversing lines1 so as to cross the lower circle at g or h1 and enter it at i or k4 ,in fact1 these exercises may be varied1 ad libitum2 and the more they are diversified1 the greater advantage the lady will derive from them1 provided she persevere until she can perform one figure with accuracy1 before she enter upon another that is more complicated4 ,should the horse1 in changing1 yield his head1 but withhold his croup so as to destroy the union of his action1 or mar the perfection of the change1 the rider should bring it to the proper position1 or sequence1 by an aid of the whip or leg1 as the case may be4 ,illustration ,,the ,,trot4 ,illustration ,the lady should begin to practise this pace as soon as she is tolerably perfect in the walking lessons4 ,it will be as well for her1 at first1 to trot in a straight line3 she may then work in the large circle1 and proceed1 gradually1 through most of the figures which she has performed in a walk4 ,to make the horse advance from a walk to a trot1 draw upwards the little finger of each hand 7or that of the left hand only1 when the pupil has advanced enough to hold the reins in one hand71 and turn them towards the body3 an animation of the leg or whip should accompany this motion4 ,the trot should be commenced moderately3 if the horse start off too rapidly1 or increase the pace beyond the rider's inclination1 she must check him by closing the hands firmly2 and1 if that will not suffice1 by drawing the little fingers upwards and towards the body4 ,this must not be done by a jerk1 but delicately and gradually2 and1 as soon as the proper effect is produced1 the reins are again to be slackened4 ,if the horse do not advance with sufficient speed1 or do not bring up his haunches well1 the animations used at starting him are to be repeated4 ,when the horse proceeds to the trot1 the lady must endeavour to preserve her balance1 steadiness and pliancy1 as in the walk4 ,the rise in trotting is to be acquired by practice4 ,when the horse1 in his action1 raises the rider from her seat1 she should advance her body1 and rest a considerable portion of her weight on the right knee2 by means of which1 and by bearing the left foot on the stirrup1 she may return to her former position without being jerked2 the right knee and the left foot1 used in the same manner1 will also aid her in the rise4 ,particular attention must be paid to the general position of the body while trotting3 in this pace1 ordinary riders frequently rise to the left1 which is a very bad practice1 and must positively be avoided4 ,the lady should also take care not to raise herself too high2 the closer she maintains her seat1 consistently with her own comfort1 the better4 ,,the ,,canter4 ,the whole of the exercises on circles should next be performed in a canter2 which may be commenced from a short but animated trot1 a walk1 or even a stop4 ,if the horse be well trained1 a slight pressure of the whip and leg1 and an elevation of the horse's head1 by means of the reins1 will make him strike into a canter4 ,should he misunderstand1 or disobey these indications of the rider's will1 by merely increasing his walk or trot1 or going into the trot from a walk1 as the case may be1 he is to be pressed forward on the bit by an increased animation of the leg and whip2--the reins1 at the same time1 being held more firmly1 in order to restrain him from advancing too rapidly to bring his haunches well under him2 for the support of which1 in this position1 he will keep both his hind feet for a moment on the ground1 while he commences the canter by raising his fore feet together4 ,illustration ,the canter is by far the most elegant and agreeable of all the paces1 when properly performed by the horse and rider3 its perfection consists in its union and animation1 rather than its speed4 ,it is usual with learners who practise without a master1 to begin the canter previously to the trot2 but we are supported by good authority in recommending1 that the lady should first practise the trot1 as it is certainly much better calculated to strengthen and confirm her in the balance1 seat c4 than the canter4 ,the lady is advised1 at this stage of her progress1 to practise the paces1 alternately1 in the various combinations of the figures we have described2 performing her aids with greater power and accuracy in turning and working in circles1 when trotting or cantering1 than when walking4 ,she should also perfect herself in her aids1 the correspondence1 and balance1 by alternately increasing and diminishing the speed in each pace1 until she attain a perfect mastery over herself and her horse1 and can not only make him work in what direction1 and at what pace1 but1 also1 at what degree of speed in each pace1 she pleases4 ,the horse ought to lead with the right foot3 should he strike off with the left1 the rider must either check him to a walk1 and then make him commence the canter again1 or induce him to advance the proper leg by acting on the near rein1 pressing his side with the left leg1 and touching his right shoulder with the whip4 ,his hind legs should follow the direction of the fore legs1 otherwise the pace will be untrue1 disunited1 and unpleasant1 both to horse and rider3 therefore1 if the horse lead with his near fore leg 7unless when cantering to the left--the only case when the near legs should be advanced71 or with his near hind leg1 except in the case just mentioned--although he may lead with the proper fore leg--the pace is false1 and ought to be rectified4 ,illustration ,,the ,,gallop4 ,no lady of taste ever gallops on the road4 ,into this pace1 the lady's horse is never urged1 or permitted to break1 except in the field3 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 ,any remarks1 on our part1 with regard to this pace1 would1 therefore1 be all but needless4 ,illustration ,,stopping ,,and ,,backing4 ,the lady must learn how to perform the perfect stop in all the paces4 ,the perfect stop in the walk1 is a cessation of all action in the animal1 produced instantaneously by the rider1 without any previous intimation being given by her to the horse4 ,the slovenly stop is gradual and uncertain4 ,the incorrect stop is a momentary and violent check on the action in the middle1 instead of the conclusion1 of the cadence1 while the fore legs are coming to the ground4 ,the proper movements should be performed1 by the rider1 so that the stop may conclude correctly with the cadence4 ,the firmness of the hand should be increased1 the body be thrown back1 the reins drawn to the body1 and the horse's haunches pressed forward by the leg and whip1 so that he may be brought to bear on the bit4 ,illustration ,the stop in the trot is performed as in the walk3 the rider should operate when the advanced limbs of the animal1 before and behind1 respectively1 have come to the ground1 so that the stop may be perfected when the other fore leg and hind leg advance and complete the cadence4 ,the stop in the canter is performed by the rider in a similar manner3 the time should be at the instant when the horse's fore feet are descending2--the hind feet will immediately follow1 and at once conclude the cadence4 ,in an extended canter1 it is advisable to reduce the horse to a short trot1 prior to stopping him1 or to perform the stop by a double arrt2--that is1 in two cadences instead of one4 ,it is necessary that the lady should learn how to make a horse back1 in walking3 to do this1 the reins must be drawn equally and steadily towards the body1 and the croup of the horse kept in a proper direction by means of the leg and whip4 ,,leaping4 ,in riding-schools1 ladies who never intend to hunt1 are frequently taught to leap the bar4 ,the practice is certainly beneficial2 as it tends to confirm the seat1 and enables the rider more effectually to preserve her balance1 should she ever be mounted on an unsteady or vicious horse4 ,illustration ,leaps are taken1 either standing or flying1 over a bar1 which is so contrived as to fall1 when touched by the horse's feet1 if he do not clear it3 it is placed at a short distance from the ground1 at first2 and raised1 by degrees1 as the rider improves4 ,the standing leap1 which is practised first1 the horse takes from the halt1 close to the bar4 ,the flying leap is taken from any pace1 and is easier than the standing leap1 although the latter is considered the safer of the two to begin with2 as1 from the steadiness with which it is made by a trained horse1 the master or assistant can aid the pupil at the slightest appearance of danger4 ,illustration ,the position of the rider is to be governed in this1 as in all other cases1 by the action of the horse4 ,no weight is to be borne on the stirrup2 for1 in fact1 pressure on the stirrup will tend to raise the body1 rather than keep it close to the saddle4 ,the legs--particularly the right one--must be pressed closely against the saddle1 and the reins yielded to the horse1 so that the rider can just distinguish a slight correspondence between her own hand and the horse's mouth4 ,the animations thus produced1 and the invitation thus given1 will make the horse rise4 ,as his fore quarters ascend1 the lady is to advance forward2 the back being bent inward1 and the head kept upright and steady4 ,a moment before the horse's hind legs quit the ground1 the body should be inclined backward2 the rider taking care not to bear heavily on the reins1 lest the horse force her hand1 and pull her forward on his neck1 or over his head1 as he descends4 ,when the leap is cleared1 the rider should bring the horse together1 if at all disunited1 and resume her usual position4 ,in the flying leap1 the seat is to be preserved as in the standing leap2 except1 that it is needless1 and1 indeed1 unwise1 to advance the body as the horse rises3 because1 in the flying leap1 the horse's position1 especially in a low leap1 is more horizontal than when he rises at the bar from a halt2 and there is great danger of the rider being thrown1 if she lean forward1 in case the horse suddenly check himself and refuse the leap2 which circumstance occasionally happens4 ,the waist should be brought forward1 and the body suffered to take that inclination backward which will be produced by the spring forward of the horse4 ,the horse's head is to be guided towards the bar1 and the reins yielded to him as he advances4 ,the proper distance for a horse to run previous to the leap1 is from ten to fifteen yards4 ,if he be well trained1 he may be suffered to take his own pace2 but it is necessary to animate an indolent animal into a short1 collected gallop1 and urge him1 by strong aids1 to make the leap4 ,illustration ,,dismounting4 ,the first operation1 preparatory to dismounting1 is to bring the horse to an easy1 yet perfect1 stop4 ,if the lady be light and dexterous1 she may dismount without assistance1 from a middle-sized horse3 but1 it is better not to do so if the animal be high4 ,the right hand of the lady1 when preparing to dismount1 is to receive the reins1 and be carried to the off crutch of the saddle4 ,the reins should be held sufficiently tight to restrain the horse from advancing2 and yet not so firm as to cause him to back or rear2 nor uneven1 lest it make him swerve4 ,the lady should next disengage her right leg1 clearing the dress as she raises her knee2 remove her right hand to the near crutch2 and then take her foot from the stirrup4 ,thus far the process is the same whether the lady dismount with or without assistance4 ,if the lady be assisted1 the gentleman1 or groom1 may either lift her completely off the saddle to the ground2 or1 taking her left hand in his left hand1 place his right hand on her waist1 and1 as she springs off1 support her in her descent4 ,she may also alight1 if she be tolerably active1 by placing her right hand in that of the gentleman 7who1 in this case1 must stand at the horse's shoulder71 and descend without any other support4 ,should there be any objection to1 or difficulty found in alighting by either of these modes1 the gentleman1 or groom1 may place himself immediately in front of the lady1 who is then to incline sufficiently forward for him to receive her weight1 by placing his hands under her arms1 and thus easing her descent4 ,illustration ,if the lady dismount without assistance1 after the hand is carried from the off to the near crutch1 she must turn round so as to be able to take1 in her left hand1 a lock of the horse's mane2 by the aid of which1 and by bearing her right hand on the crutch1 she may alight without difficulty4 ,in dismounting thus1 without assistance1 she must turn as she quits the saddle1 so as to descend with her face towards the horse's side4 ,illustration ,by whatever mode the lady dismounts1 but especially if she do so without assistance1 she should--to prevent any unpleasant shock on reaching the ground--bend her knees1 suffer her body to be perfectly pliant1 and alight on her toes1 or the middle of her feet4 ,she is neither to relinquish her hold1 nor is the gentleman1 or groom1 if she make use of his ministry1 to withdraw his hand1 until she is perfectly safe on the ground4 ,in order to dismount with grace and facility1 more practice is required than that of merely descending from the saddle after an exercise or a ride4 ,it is advisable to mount and dismount1 for some days1 several times1 successively1 either before or after the ride2--commencing with the most simple modes1 until a sufficient degree of confidence and experience is acquired to perform either of these operations in a proper manner1 with the mere aid of the assistant's hand4 ,illustration ,,concluding ,,remarks4 ,the lady should perform her first lessons with a snaffle bridle1 holding the reins in both hands1 and without a stirrup4 ,when she has acquired some degree of practice in the balance1 aids1 and general government of the horse1 she may use a bridle with double reins1 and hold them in the left hand1 managing them as we have directed in some of the preceding pages4 ,if the lady be but in her noviciate in the art1 we strongly advise her not to place too much reliance on her own expertness1 or to attempt too much at first2 but1 rather1 to proceed steadily1 and be satisfied with a gradual improvement2 as it is utterly impossible to acquire perfection in the nicer operations of riding1 before the minor difficulties are overcome4 ,the lady1 in all cases1 should recollect that her horse requires occasional haltings and relaxation4 ,the time occupied in each lesson should be in proportion to the pace and animation in which it has been performed4 ,if the exercise be varied and highly animated1 the horse should rest to recruit himself at the expiration of twelve or fifteen minutes2 when refreshed1 by halting1 he may be made to go through another of the same1 or rather less duration1 and then be put up for the day4 ,it would be still better to make two halts in the same space of time2--the exercise taken in such a lesson being equal to three hours' moderate work4 ,when the lessons are less animated1 they may be made proportionally longer2 but1 it is always better1 if the pupil err in this respect1 to do so on the side of brevity1 than1 by making her lessons too long1 to harass her horse4 ,illustration ,,whitehead ,,and ,,comp,y4 ,,printers1 #gf1 ,,fleet ,,street1 ,,london4 ,transcriber's ,note ,the following typographical errors have been corrected4 #bi diminutive poney changed to diminutive pony #dg dependance changed to dependence #ge inner rein is be changed to inner rein should be