,,riding ,,for ,,ladies4 ,,by ,w4 ,a4 ,,kerr1 ,v4,c41 ,,formerly ,,second ,,in ,,command ,,of ,,the #b,,nd ,,regiment ,,southern ,,maharatta ,,horse4 ,,illustrated4 ,,new ,,york3 ,,frederick ,a4 ,,stokes ,,company1 ,,mdcccxci4 ,,preface4 ,this work should be taken as following on1 and in conjunction with1 its predecessor on ,riding4 ,in that publication will be found various chapters on ,action1 ,the ,aids1 ,bits and ,bitting1 ,leaping1 ,vice1 and on other cognate subjects which1 without undue repetition1 cannot be reintroduced here4 ,these subjects are of importance to and should be studied by all1 of either sex1 who aim at perfection in the accomplishment of ,equitation1 and who seek to control and manage the saddle-horse4 ,w4 ,a4 ,k4 ,,contents4 ,,chapter ,,page ,i4 ,,introductory #a ,,ii4 ,,the ,,lady',s ,,horse #f ,,iii4 ,,practical ,,hints3 ,,how ,,to ,,mount1 #ad--,,the ,,seat1 #bb--,,the ,,walk1 #bg--,,the ,,trot1 #cc--,,the ,,canter1 #ci--,,the ,,hand-,,gallop ,,and ,,gallop1 #dd--,,leaping1 #df--;,,dismounting1 #ea ,,iv4 ,,the ,,side ,,saddle #eb ,v4 ,,hints ,,upon ,,costume #fc ,,vi4 ,a ,,la ,,cavaliere #gc ,,vii4 ,,appendix ,i4--,,the ,,training ,,of ,,ponies ,,for ,,children #ha ,,appendix ,,ii4--,,extension ,,and ,,balance ,,motions #hi ,,list ,,of ,,illustrations4 ,,page ,,preparing ,,to ,,mount #ag ,,mounting--,,second ,,position #ai ,,mounted--,,near ,,side #bb ,,right ,,and ,,wrong ,,elbow ,,action #bf ,,right ,,and ,,wrong ,,mount #bh ,,turning ,,in ,,the ,,walk--,,right ,,and ,,wrong ,,way #ca ,,right ,,and ,,wrong ,,rising #cd ,,the ,,trot #ch ,,free ,,but ,,not ,,easy #dc ,,the ,,leap #dh ,,the ,,side ,,saddle1 ,,old ,,style #ec ,,the ,,safety ,,saddle #ed ,,saddles #ee-fb ,,the ,,zenith ,,habit--,,jacket ,,body #fe ,,costumes #gh ,,riding ,,for ,,ladies4 ,,chapter ,i4 ,,introductory4 ,what ,i have said on the excellence of horse-exercise for boys and men1 applies equally to girls and women1 if1 indeed1 it does not recommend itself more especially in the case of the latter4 ,for the most part the pursuits of women are so quiet and sedentary that the body is rarely called into that complete activity of all the muscles which is essential to their perfect development1 and which produces the strength and freedom of movement so indispensable to perfect grace of carriage4 ,the woman who has been early accustomed to horse-exercise gains a courage and nerve which it would be difficult to acquire in a more pleasant and healthful manner4 ,she also gains morally in learning to feel a sympathy with the noble animal to whom she is indebted for so much enjoyment1 and whose strength and endurance are too often cruelly abused by man4 ,numerous instances have occurred in my experience of the singular influence obtained by ladies over their horses by simple kindness1 and ,i am tempted to introduce here an account of what gentle treatment can effect with the ,arab4 ,the lady who told the tale did not lay claim to being a first-rate horsewoman4 ,her veracity was undoubted1 for her whole life was that of a ministering angel4 ,she wrote thus3 ,i had a horse provided for me of rare beauty and grace1 but a perfect ,bucephalus in her way4 ,she was only two generations removed from a splendid ,arabian1 given by the good old king to the ,duke of ,kent when ,h4,r4,h4 went out in command to ,nova ,scotia4 ,the creature was not three years old1 and to all appearance unbroken4 ,her manners were those of a kid rather than of a horse2 she was of a lovely dappled gray1 with mane and tail of silver1 the latter almost sweeping the ground2 and in her frolicsome gambols she turned it over her back like a ,newfoundland dog4 ,her slow step was a bound1 her swift motion unlike that of any other animal ,i ever rode1 so fleet1 so smooth1 so unruffled4 ,i know nothing to which ,i can compare it4 ,well1 ,i made this lovely creature so fond of me by constant petting1 to which1 ,i suppose1 her ,arab character made her peculiarly sensitive1 that my voice had equal power over her1 as over my faithful docile dog4 ,no other person could in the slightest degree control her4 ,our corps1 the #gcrd ,batt4 of the #fjth ,rifles1 was composed wholly of the elite of ,napoleon's soldiers1 taken in the ,peninsula1 and preferring the ,british service to a prison4 ,they were1 principally1 conscripts1 and many were evidently of a higher class in society than those usually found in the ranks4 ,among them were several ,chasseurs and ,polish ,lancers1 very fine equestrians1 and as my husband had a field-officer's command on detachment1 and allowances1 our horses were well looked after4 ,his groom was a ,chasseur1 mine a ,pole1 but neither could ride ,fairy unless she happened to be in a very gracious mood4 ,lord ,dalhousie's ,english coachman afterwards tried his hand at taming her1 but all in vain4 ,in an easy quiet manner she either sent her rider over her head or1 by a laughable manoeuvre1 sitting down like a dog on her haunches1 slipped him off the other way4 ,her drollery made the poor men so fond of her that she was rarely chastised1 and such a wilful1 intractable wild ,arab it would be hard to find4 ,upon her ,i was daily mounted4 ,inexperienced in riding1 untaught1 unassisted1 and wholly unable to lay any check upon so powerful an animal1 with an awkward country saddle1 which1 by some fatality1 was never well fixed1 bit and bridle to match1 and the mare's natural fire increased by high feed1 behold me bound for the wildest paths in the wildest regions of that wild country4 ,but you must explore the roads about ,annapolis1 and the romantic spot called the ,general's ,bridge1 to imagine either the enjoyment or the perils of my happiest hour4 ,reckless to the last degree of desperation1 ,i threw myself entirely on the fond attachment of the noble creature2 and when ,i saw her measuring with her eye some rugged fence or wild chasm1 such as it was her common sport to leap over in her play1 the soft word of remonstrance that checked her was uttered more from regard to her safety than my own4 ,the least whisper1 a pat on the neck1 or a stroke down the beautiful face that she used to throw up towards mine1 would control her2 and never for a moment did she endanger me4 ,this was little short of a daily miracle1 when we consider the nature of the country1 her character1 and my unskilfulness4 ,it can only be accounted for on the ground of that wondrous power which1 having willed me to work for a time in the vineyard of the ,lord1 rendered me immortal till the work should be done4 ,rather1 ,i should say1 in the words of ,cooper1 which ,i have ventured to slightly vary-- ',tis plain the creature whom ,he chose to invest ,with queen-ship and dominion o'er the rest1 ,received her nobler nature1 and was made ,fit for the power in which she stands arrayed4 ,strongly as ,i advocate early tuition1 if a girl has not mounted a horse up to her thirteenth year1 my advice is to postpone the attempt1 unless thoroughly strong1 for a couple of years at least4 ,i cannot here enter the reason why1 but it is good and sufficient4 ,weakly girls of all ages1 especially those who are growing rapidly1 are apt to suffer from pain in the spine4 ,the ,invigorator corset ,i have recommended under the head of ,ladies' ,costume will1 to some extent1 counteract this physical weakness2 but the only certain cures are either total cessation from horse exercise1 or the adoption of the cross1 or ,duchess de ,berri1 seat--in plain words1 to ride a la cavaliere astride in a man's saddle4 ,in spite of preconceived prejudices1 ,i think that if ladies will kindly peruse my short chapter on this common sense method1 they will come to the conclusion that ,anne of ,luxembourg1 who introduced the side-saddle1 did not confer an unmixed benefit on the subjects of ,richard the ,second1 and that riding astride is no more indelicate than the modern short habit in the hunting field4 ,we are too apt to prostrate ourselves before the ,juggernaut of fashion1 and to hug our own conservative ideas4 ,though the present straight-seat side-saddle1 as manufactured by ,messrs4 ,champion and ,wilton1 modifies1 if it does not actually do away with1 any fear of curvature of the spine2 still1 it is of importance that girls should be taught to ride on the off-side as well as the near1 and1 if possible1 on the cross-saddle also4 ,undoubtedly1 a growing girl1 whose figure and pliant limbs may1 like a sapling1 be trained in almost any direction1 does1 by always being seated in one direction1 contract a tendency to hang over to one side or the other1 and acquire a stiff1 crooked1 or ungainly seat4 ,perfect ease and squareness are only to be acquired1 during tuition and after dismissal from school1 by riding one day on the near and the next on the off-side4 ,this change will ease the horse1 and1 by bringing opposite sets of muscles into play1 will impart strength to the rider and keep the shoulders level4 ,whichever side the rider sits1 the reins are held1 mainly1 in the left hand--the left hand is known as the bridle-hand4 ,attempts have frequently been made to build a saddle with two flaps and movable third pommel1 but the result has been far from satisfactory4 ,a glance at a side-saddle tree will at once demonstrate the difficulty the saddler has to meet1 add to this a heavy and ungainly appearance4 ,the only way in which the shift can be obtained is by having two saddles4 ,illustration3 ,,naomi 7,a ,,high-,,caste ,,arabian ,,mare74 ,,chapter ,,ii4 ,,the ,,lady',s ,,horse4 ,there is no more difficult animal to find on the face of the earth than a perfect lady's horse4 ,it is not every one that can indulge in the luxury of a two-hundred-and-fifty to three-hundred-guinea hack1 and yet looks1 action1 and manners will always command that figure1 and more4 ,some people say1 what can carry a man can carry a woman4 ,what says ,mrs4 ,power ,o',donoghue to this3 ,a heavy horse is never in any way suitable to a lady4 ,it looks amiss4 ,the trot is invariably laboured1 and if the animal should chance to fall1 he gives his rider what we know in the hunting-field as 'a mighty crusher4' ,it is indeed1 a rare thing to meet a perfect 'lady's horse4' ,in all my wide experience ,i have met but two4 ,breeding is necessary for stability and speed--two things most essential to a hunter2 but good light action is1 for a roadster1 positively indispensable1 and a horse who does not possess it is a burden to his rider1 and is1 moreover1 exceedingly unsafe1 as he is apt to stumble at every rut and stone4 ,barry ,cornwall must have had something akin to perfection in his mind's eye when penning the following lines3-- ,full of fire1 and full of bone1 ,all his line of fathers known2 ,fine his nose1 his nostrils thin1 ,but blown abroad by the pride within6 ,his mane a stormy river flowing1 ,and his eyes like embers glowing ,in the darkness of the night1 ,and his pace as swift as light4 ,look1 around his straining throat ,grace and shifting beauty float6 ,sinewy strength is in his reins1 ,and the red blood gallops through his veins4 ,how often do we hear it remarked of a neat blood-looking nag1 ,yes1 very pretty and blood-like1 but there's nothing of him2 only fit to carry a woman4 ,no greater mistake can be made1 for if we consider the matter in all its bearings1 we shall see that the lady should be rather over than under mounted4 ,the average weight of ,english ladies is said to be nine stone2 to that must be added another stone for saddle and bridle 7,i don't know if the habit and other habiliments be included in the nine stone71 and we must give them another stone in hand2 or eleven stone in all4 ,a blood1 or at furthest1 two crosses of blood on a good foundation1 horse will carry this weight as well as it can be carried4 ,it is a fault among thoroughbreds that they do not bend the knee sufficiently2 but there are exceptions to this rule4 ,i know of two ,stud ,book sires1 by ,lowlander1 that can trot against the highest stepping hackney or roadster in the kingdom1 and1 if trained1 could put the dust in the eyes of nine out of ten of the much-vaunted standard ,american trotters4 ,their bold1 elegant1 and elastic paces come up to the ideal poetry of action1 carrying themselves majestically1 all their movements like clockwork1 for truth and regularity4 ,the award of a first prize as a hunter sire to one of these horses establishes his claim to symmetry1 but1 being full sixteen hands and built on weight-carrying lines1 he is just one or two inches too tall for carrying any equestrienne short of a daughter of ,anak4 ,though too often faulty in formation of shoulders1 thoroughbreds1 as their name implies1 are generally full of quality and1 under good treatment1 generous horses4 ,i do not chime in with those who maintain that a horse can do no wrong1 but do assert that he comes into the world poisoned by a considerably less dose of original sin than we1 who hold dominion over him1 are cursed with4 ,two-year-olds that have been tried and found lacking that keen edge of speed so necessary in these degenerate days of sprinting1 many of them cast in beauty's mould1 are turned out of training and are to be picked up at very reasonable prices4 ,never having known a bit more severe than that of the colt-breaker and the snaffle1 the bars of their mouths are not yet callous1 and being rescued from the clutches of the riding lads of the training-stable1 before they are spoiled as to temper1 they may1 in many instances1 under good tuition1 be converted into admirable ladies' horses--hacks or hunters4 ,they would not be saleable till four years old1 but seven shillings a week would give them a run at grass and a couple of feeds of oats till such time as they be thoroughly taken in hand1 conditioned1 and taught their business4 ,the margin for profit on well bought animals of this description1 and their selling price as perfect lady's horses1 are very considerable4 ,in my opinion no horse can be too good or too perfectly trained for a lady4 ,some ,amazons can ride anything1 play cricket1 polo1 golf1 lawn-tennis1 fence1 scale the ,alps1 etc41 and ,i have known one or two go tiger-shooting4 ,but all are not manly women1 despite fashion1 trending in that unnatural1 unlovable direction4 ,one of their own sex describes them as gentle1 kindly1 and cowardly4 ,that all are not heroines1 ,i admit1 but no one who witnessed or even read of their devoted courage during the dark days of the ,indian mutiny1 can question their ability to face terrible danger with superlative valour4 ,the heroism of ,mrs4 ,grimwood at ,manipur is fresh in our memory4 ,what the majority are wanting in is nerve4 ,i have seen a few women go to hounds as well and as straight as the ordinary run of first-flight men4 ,that ,i do not consider the lady's seat less secure than that of the cross-seated sterner sex1 may be inferred from the sketch of the rough-rider in my companion volume for masculine readers1 demonstrating the last resource1 and giving practical exemplification of the proverb1 ,he that can quietly endure overcometh4 ,what women lack1 in dealing with an awkward1 badly broken1 unruly horse1 is muscular force1 dogged determination1 and the ability to struggle and persevere4 ,good nerve and good temper are essentials4 ,having given ,barry ,cornwall's poetic ideal of a horse1 ,i now venture on a further rhyming sketch of what may fairly be termed a good sort3-- ,with intelligent head1 lean1 and deep at the jowl1 ,shoulder sloping well back1 with a skin like a mole1 ,round-barrelled1 broad-loined1 and a tail carried free1 ,long and muscular arms1 short and flat from the knee1 ,great thighs full of power1 hocks both broad and low down1 ,with fetlocks elastic1 feet sound and well grown2 ,a horse like unto this1 with blood dam and blood sire1 ,to ,park or for field may to honours aspire2 ,it's the sort ,i'm in want of--do you know such a thing8 ',tis the mount for a sportswoman1 and fit for a queen6 ,my unhesitating advice to ladies is ,never buy for yourself4 ,having described what you want to some well-known judge who is acquainted with your style of riding1 and who knows the kind of animal most likely to suit your temperament1 tell him to go to a certain price1 and1 if he be a gentleman you will not be disappointed4 ,you won't get perfection1 for that never existed outside the garden of ,eden1 but you will be well carried and get your money's worth4 ,ladies are not fit to cope with dealers1 unless the latter be top-sawyers of the trade1 have a character to lose1 and can be trusted4 ,there has been a certain moral obliquity attached to dealing in horses ever since1 and probably before1 they of the ,house of ,togarmah traded in ,tyrian fairs with horses1 horsemen1 and mules4 ,should your friend after all his trouble purchase something that does not to the full realize your fondest expectation1 take the will for the deed1 and bear in mind oft expectation fails1 and most oft there where most it promises4 ,with nineteen ladies out of every score1 the looks of a horse are a matter of paramount importance3 he must be a pretty creature1 with beautiful deer-like legs1 and a lovely head4 ,their inclinations lead them to admire what is beautiful in preference to what is true of build1 useful1 and safe4 ,if a lady flattered me with a commission to buy her a horse1 having decided upon the colour1 ,i should look out for something after this pattern3 one that would prove an invaluable hack1 and mayhap carry her safely and well across country4 ,height fifteen two1 or fifteen three at the outside2 age between six and eight1 as thoroughbred as ,eclipse or nearly so4 ,the courage of the lion yet gentle withal4 ,ears medium size1 well set on1 alert2 the erect and quick pricking motion indicates activity and spirit4 ,i would not reject a horse1 if otherwise coming up to the mark1 for a somewhat large ear or for one slightly inclined to be lopped1 for in blood this is a pretty certain indication of the ,melbourne strain1 one to which we are much indebted4 ,the characteristics of the ,melbournes are1 for the most part1 desirable ones3 docility1 good temper1 vigorous constitution1 plenty of size1 with unusually large bone1 soundness of joints and abundance of muscle4 ,but these racial peculiarities are recommendations for the coverside rather than for the ,park4 ,the eye moderately prominent1 soft1 expressive1 the eye of a listening deer4 ,the ears and the eyes are the interpreters of disposition4 ,forehead broad and flat4 ,a dish face1 that is1 slightly concave or indented1 is a heir-loom from the desert1 and belongs to ,nejd4 ,the jaws deep1 wide apart1 with plenty of space for the wind-pipe when the head is reined in to the chest4 ,nostrils long1 wide1 and elastic1 exhibiting a healthy pink membrane4 ,we hear a good deal of large1 old-fashioned heads1 and see a good many of the fiddle and ,roman-nosed type1 but1 in my opinion1 these cumbersome heads1 unless very thin and fleshless1 are indicative of plebeian blood4 ,the setting on of the head is a very important point4 ,the game-cock throttle is the right formation1 giving elasticity and the power to bend in obedience to the rider's hand4 ,what the dealers term a fine topped horse1 generally one with exuberance of carcase and light of limbs1 is by no means the sealed pattern for a lady2 on the contrary1 the neck should be light1 finely arched--that peculiarly graceful curve imported from the ,east1--growing into shoulders not conspicuous for too high withers4 ,long riding shoulders is an expression in almost every horseman's mouth1 but very high and large-shouldered animals are apt to ride heavy in hand and to be high actioned4 ,well-laid-back shoulders1 rather low1 fine at the points1 not set too far apart1 and well-muscled will be found to give pace with easy action4 ,he should stand low on the legs1 which means depth of fore-rib1 so essential in securing the lady's saddle1 as well as ensuring the power and endurance to sustain and carry the rider's weight in its proper place4 ,fore-legs set well forward1 with long1 muscular arms1 and room to place the flat of the hand between the elbows and the ribs4 ,the chest can hardly be too deep1 but it can be too wide1 or have too great breadth between the fore-legs4 ,the back only long enough to find room for the saddle is the rule1 though1 in case of a lady's horse1 a trifle more length unaccompanied by the faintest sign of weakness1 will do no harm4 ,for speed1 a horse must have length somewhere1 and ,i prefer to see it below1 between the point of the elbow and the stifle joint4 ,ormonde1 the horse of the century1 was nearly a square1 i4e4 the height from the top of the wither to the ground almost equalled the length of his body from the point of the shoulder to the extremity of the buttock4 ,horses with short backs and short bodies are generally buck-leapers1 and difficult to sit on when fencing4 ,the couplings or loins cannot be too strong or the ribs too well sprung2 the back ribs well hooped4 ,this formation is a sign of a good constitution4 ,the quarters must needs be full1 high set on1 with straight crupper1 well rounded muscular buttocks1 a clean channel1 with big stifles and thighs to carry them4 ,knees and hocks clean1 broad1 and large1 back sinews and ligaments standing well away from the bone1 flat and hard as bands of steel2 short well-defined smooth cannons2 pasterns nicely sloped1 neither too long nor too short1 but full of spring2 medium sized feet1 hard as the nether millstone4 ,if possible1 ,i should select one endowed with the characteristic spring of the ,arab's tail from the crupper4 ,such a horse would1 in the words of ,kingsley1 possess the beauty of ,theseus1 light but massive1 and light1 not in spite of its masses1 but on account of the perfect disposition of them4 ,there is no need for the judge to run the rule1 or the tape either1 over the horse4 ,his practised eye1 almost in a glance1 will take in the general contour of the animal2 it will tell him whether the various salient and important points balance1 and will instantly detect any serious flaw4 ,when selecting for a lady who1 he knows1 will appreciate sterling worth rather than mere beauty1 he may feel disposed to gloss over a certain decidedness of points and dispense with a trifle of the comely shapeliness of truthfully moulded form4 ,having satisfied myself that the framework is all right1 ,i would order the horse to be sauntered away from me with a loose rein1 and1 still with his head at perfect liberty1 walked back again4 ,i would then see him smartly trotted backwards and forwards4 ,satisfied with his natural dismounted action1 ,i should require to see him ridden in all his paces1 and might be disposed to get into the saddle myself4 ,having acquitted himself to my satisfaction1 he would then have to exhibit himself in the ,park or in a field1 ridden in the hands of some proficient lady-rider4 ,a few turns under her pilotage would suffice to decide his claims to be what ,i am looking for4 ,if he came up to my ideas of action1 or nearly so1 ,i should not hesitate--subject to veterinary certificate of soundness--to purchase4 ,finally1 the gentleman to examine the horse as to his soundness would be one of my own selection4 ,certain of the ,london dealers insist upon examinations being made by their own ,vets1 and there's a method in their madness4 ,when such a stipulation is made1 ,i invariably play the return match by insisting upon having the certificate of the ,royal ,college of ,veterinary ,surgeons1 where the investigation is complete and rigorous4 ,the very name of the ,college is gall and wormwood to many of these gentlemen concerned about horses4 ,,chapter ,,iii4 ,,practical ,,hints4 ,,how ,,to ,,mount4 ,previous to mounting1 the lady should make a practice of critically looking the horse over1 in order to satisfy herself that he is properly saddled and bridled4 ,particular attention should be paid to the girthing4 ,though ladies are not supposed to girth their own horses1 occasion may arise1 in the ,colonies especially1 when they may be called upon to perform that office4 ,information on this essential and too oft-neglected point may not be out of place4 ,odd as it may sound1 few grooms know how to girth a horse properly1 and to explain myself ,i must1 for a few lines1 quit the side-saddle for the cross-saddle4 ,men often wonder how it is that1 on mounting1 the near stirrup is almost invariably a hole or more the longer of the two4 ,the reason is this3 the groom places the saddle right in the centre of the horse's back and then proceeds to tighten the girths from the near or left side4 ,the tension on the girth-holder1 all from one side1 cants the saddle over to the left1 to which it is still further drawn by the weight of the rider in mounting and the strain put upon it by the act of springing into the saddle4 ,this list to port can easily be obviated by the groom placing the heel of his left hand against the near side of the pommel1 guiding the first or under-girth with the right hand till the girth-holder passes through the buckle and is moderately tight1 then1 with both hands1 bracing it so that room remains for one finger to be passed between it and the horse4 ,the same must be done in the case of the outer girth4 ,in a modified degree the side-saddle is displaced by the common mode of girthing4 ,the surcingle should lie neatly over the girths1 and have an equal bearing with them4 ,when the ,fitzwilliam girth is used--and its general use is to be advocated1 not only on account of its safety and the firmness of the broad web1 but for its freedom from rubbing the skin behind the elbow--the leather surcingle of the saddle will take the place of the usual leather outside strap supplied with this girth4 ,for inspection the horse should be brought up to the lady1 off side on4 ,she should note that the throat-lash falls easily1 but not dangling1 on the commencement of the curve of the cheek-bone1 and that it is not buckled tight round the throttle1 like a hangman's hempen-tow4 ,the bridoon should hang easily in the mouth1 clear of the corners or angles1 and not wrinkling them2 the curb an inch or so above the tusk1 or1 in the case of a mare1 where that tooth might be supposed to be placed4 ,she will see that the curb-chain is not too tight1 that the lip-strap is carried through the small ring on the chain1 also that the chain lies smooth and even4 ,in fixing the curb1 if the chain be turned to the right1 the links will unfold themselves4 ,it is taken for granted that by frequent personal visits to the stable1 or by trusty deputy1 she is satisfied that the horse's back and withers are not galled or wrung4 ,a groom withholding information on this point should1 after one warning1 get his conge4 ,that the bits and stirrup be burnished as bright as a ,life ,guardsman's cuirasse1 the saddle and bridle perfectly clean1 and the horse thoroughly well groomed1 goes without saying4 ,all the appointments being found in a condition fit for ,queen's escort duty1 we now proceed to put the lady in1 not into1 her saddle4 ,she should approach the horse from the front1 and not from behind4 ,after a kind word or two and a little gentling1 she1 with her whip1 hunting crop1 or riding cane in her right hand1 picks up the bridoon rein with her left1 draws it through the right smoothly and evenly1 feeling the horse's mouth very lightly1 until it reaches the crutch1 which she takes hold of4 ,in passing the rein through the hand1 care must be taken that it is not allowed to slacken so that touch of the mouth is lost4 ,attention to this will keep the horse in his position whilst being mounted2 for should he move backward or forward or away as the lady is in the act of springing into the saddle1 he not only makes the vaulting exceedingly awkward1 but dangerous4 ,many horses sidle away as the lady is balanced on one foot and holding on to the pommel with the right hand1 in which case she must at once quit her hold or a fall will follow4 ,having adjusted the rein of the bridoon to an equal length1 the whip point down with the end of the rein on the off side1 she stands looking in the direction the horse is standing--i4e41 to her proper front1 her right shoulder and arm in contact with the flap of the saddle near side4 ,the mounter advances facing her1 and1 close to the horse's shoulder1 can perform his office in three different ways4 ,stooping down1 he places his right hand1 knuckles downwards1 on his right knee1 and of it the lady makes a sort of mounting block1 whence1 springing from the left foot1 she reaches her saddle4 ,when she springs she has the aid of her grip on the crutch1 supplemented by the raising power of her left hand resting on the man's shoulder4 ,or the groom aids the spring by the uplifting of both the hand and the knee4 ,the third method is1 for the mounter--his left arm1 as before1 touching the horse's shoulder--to stoop down till his left shoulder comes within easy reach of the lady's left hand1 which she lays on it4 ,he at the same time advances his left foot till it interposes between her and the horse and makes a cradle of his hands1 into which she places her left foot4 ,her grip is still on the crutch1 and she still feels the horse's mouth4 ,one1 two1 three6 she springs like feathered ,mercury1 and he1 straightening himself1 accentuates the light bound1 and straightway she finds herself in the saddle4 ,illustration3 ,,preparing ,,to ,,mount4 ,it is dangerous to face the mounter in such a position that the spring is made with the rider's back to her horse's side1 for in the event of his starting suddenly or taking ground to her right1 an awkward full-length back-fall may result4 ,the foot must be placed firmly in the mounter's hand2 during the lift it must not be advanced1 but kept under her1 and he must not attempt to raise her till her right foot be clear of the ground4 ,the best plan that can be adopted with a horse in the habit of moving away to one side is to stand him against a low wall or paling1 or alongside another horse4 ,a quiet1 well-trained horse may stand as firm as one of the ,british squares at ,waterloo1 or the thin red line at ,balaclava1 for times without number1 but from some unforeseen alarm may suddenly start aside4 ,the spring and lift must go together1 or the lady may1 like ,mahomet's coffin1 find herself hanging midway4 ,practice alone can teach the art of mounting lightly and gracefully1 and to an active person there is no difficulty4 ,there is yet another method of mounting which requires considerably more practice--doing away with the services of a mounter1--and that is for the lady to mount herself4 ,in these days1 when so many ladies practise gymnastics and athletic exercises generally1 there ought to be no difficulty in acquiring this useful habit4 ,the stirrup is let out till it reaches to about a foot from the ground1 the pommel is grasped with the right hand1 and with a spring the rider is in her seat4 ,the stirrup is then adjusted to its proper length4 ,unless the horse be very quiet the groom must stand at his head during this process of mounting4 ,mounting from a chair or a pair of steps is certainly not an accomplishment ,i should recommend ladies to indulge in2 still1 there are occasions when the friendly aid of a low wall1 a stile1 the bar of a gate1 or even a wheelbarrow1 comes handy4 ,in such a predicament1 take the bridoon across the palm of the left hand1 and drawing the bit rein through on each side of the little or third finger till the horse's mouth be felt1 place the right foot in the stirrup1 grasp the leaping-head with the left and the upright pommel with the right hand1 and spring into the saddle1 turning round1 left about1 in so doing4 ,when in the saddle1 disengage the right foot from the stirrup and throw the right leg over the upright head4 ,illustration3 ,,mounting--,,second ,,position4 ,when the lady is in the saddle1 that is1 seated on it1 not in riding position but before throwing her right leg over the crutch1 the groom1 without releasing the hold of her foot altogether1 adjusts the folds of the habit1 care being taken that there is no crease or fold between the right knee and the saddle4 ,this1 in the case of a ,zenith1 is a matter speedily arranged1 and1 the adjustment being to her satisfaction1 she at once pivots on the centre1 and raises her right leg into its place over the crutch4 ,the foot is then placed in the stirrup4 ,when a good seat has been acquired1 and the rider does not encumber herself with needless underclothing1 this arrangement of habit had best be deferred till the horse is in motion2 she can then raise herself in the saddle by straightening the left knee1 and1 drawing herself forward by grasping the pommel with the right hand1 arrange the folds to her entire satisfaction with the left4 ,attention must be paid to the length of the stirrup1 for on it depends greatly the steadiness of the seat4 ,many ladies are seen riding with a short stirrup2 but this is an error1 for it destroys the balance1 without which there can be no elegance1 invariably causes actual cramp and gives a cramped appearance1 forces the rider out of the centre of the saddle1 so that the weight on the horse's back is unevenly distributed1 and displays too much daylight when rising in the trot4 ,on the other hand1 too long a stirrup is equally objectionable1 as it causes the body to lean unduly over to the near side in order to retain hold of it1 depresses and throws back the left shoulder1 and destroys the squareness of position4 ,the length of stirrup should be just sufficient that the rider1 by leaning her right hand on the pommel1 can1 without any strain on the instep1 raise herself clear of the saddle2 this implies that the knee will be only bent sufficiently to maintain the upward pressure of the knee against the concave leaping-head4 ,the stirrup is intended as a support to the foot1 not as an appui to ride from2 it is not intended to sustain the full weight of the body1 and when so misapplied is certain to establish a sore back4 ,i am strongly of opinion that to be in all respects perfect in the equestrian art1 a lady should learn1 in the first instance1 to ride without a stirrup1 so as1 under any circumstances that may arise1 to be able to do without this appendage4 ,those who aspire to honours in the hunting-field certainly should accustom themselves to dispense with the stirrup1 as by so doing they will acquire a closer and firmer seat2 moreover1 its absence teaches the beginner1 better than any other method1 to ride from balance1 which is the easiest and best form of equitation for both horse and rider4 ,many horsewomen are under the impression that it is impossible to rise without the aid of the stirrup1 but that such is not the case a course of stirrupless training will soon prove4 ,i do not suggest that riding thus should be made a habit1 but only strenuously advocate its practice4 ,a very general fault1 and an extremely ugly one among lady riders1 is the habit of sticking out the right foot in front of the saddle4 ,it is not only unsightly1 but loosens the hold1 for if the toe be stuck out under the habit like a flying jib-boom1 the leg becomes the bowsprit1 and it is impossible for a straightened leg to grip the crutch4 ,bend the knee well1 keep the toe slightly down1 and this ugly habit is beyond the pale of possibility4 ,this ungraceful posture may be caused by the pommels being placed so near together that there is not sufficient room for the leg to lie and bend easily1 but this excuse will not hold good in the case of the straight-seat-safety-side-saddle1 for it has only one pommel or crutch and one leaping-head4 ,having got the lady into her saddle1 we next attempt so to instruct her that it may be remarked-- ,the rider sat erect and fair4--,,scott4 ,,the ,,seat4 ,hitherto1 during the process of mounting and settling herself comfortably1 the reins have been in the rider's right hand4 ,now that women can sit square and look straight out and over their horses' ears1 much more latitude is permitted in the hold of the reins4 ,it is no longer essential to hold them only in the left hand1 for as often as not--always in hunting or at a hand-gallop--both hands are on the bridle4 ,but1 as a rule1 the left should be the bridle hand1 for if the reins be held in the right1 and the horse1 as horses often will1 gets his head down or bores1 the right shoulder is drawn forward1 and the left knee1 as a matter of course1 being drawn back from under1 loses its upward pressure against the leaping-head1 and the safety of the seat is jeopardized4 ,were the rein to give way the rider would probably fall backwards off the horse over his off-quarter4 ,on the other hand1 when the reins are all gathered into the left hand1 the harder the horse may take the bit in his teeth1 and the lower he may carry his head1 the firmer must be the grip of the crutch and the greater the pressure against the leaping-head4 ,illustration3 ,,mounted--,,near ,,side4 ,as the reins must not be gathered up all in a bunch1 ,i give the following directions for placing them in the hand4 ,if riding with a snaffle1 as always should be the case with beginners1 the reins ought to be separated1 passing into the hands between the third and fourth fingers1 and out over the fore or index-finger1 where they are held by the thumb4 ,in the case of bit and bridoon 7the bridoon rein has generally a buckle where it joins1 whereas that of the bit is stitched71 take up the bridoon rein across the inside of the hand1 and draw the bit rein through the hand on each side of the little or third finger until the mouth of the horse be gently felt2 turn the remainder of the rein along the inside of the hand1 and let it fall over the forefinger on to the off-side2 place the bridoon rein upon those of the bit1 and close the thumb upon them all4 ,a second plan equally good is1 when the horse is to be ridden mainly on the bridoon3 the bridoon rein is taken up by the right hand and drawn flatly through on each side of the second finger of the bridle-hand1 till the horse's mouth can be felt1 when it is turned over the first joint of the forefinger on to the off-side4 ,the bit rein is next taken up and drawn through on each side of the little finger of the bridle-hand1 till there is an equal1 or nearly equal1 length and feeling with the bridoon1 and then laid smoothly over the bridoon rein1 with the thumb firmly placed as a stopper upon both1 to keep them from slipping4 ,a slight pressure of the little finger will bring the bit into play4 ,thirdly1 when the control is to be entirely from the bit or curb2 the bit rein is taken up by the stitching by the right hand within the bridoon rein1 and drawn through on each side of the little finger of the left or bridle-hand1 until there is a light and even feel on the horse's mouth2 it is then turned over the first joint of the forefinger on the off-side4 ,the bridoon rein is next taken up by the buckle1 under the left hand1 and laid smoothly over the left bit rein1 leaving it sufficiently loose to hang over each side of the horse's neck4 ,the thumb is then placed firmly on both reins1 as above4 ,these different manipulations of the reins may be conveniently practised at home with reins attached to an elastic band1 the spring of the band answering to the feel on the horse's mouth4 ,but1 in addition to these various systems of taking up the reins1 much has to be learnt in the direction of separating1 shortening1 shifting1 and so forth4 ,with novices the reins constantly and imperceptibly slip1 in which case1 the ends of the reins hanging over the forefinger of the bridle-hand are taken altogether into the right1 the right hand feels the horse's head1 while the loosened fingers of the bridle-hand are run up or down the reins1 as required1 till they are again adjusted to the proper length1 when the fingers once more close on them4 ,in shifting reins to the right hand1 to relieve cramp of the fingers1 and so forth1 the right hand must always pass over the left1 and in replacing them the left hand must be placed over the right4 ,in order to shorten any one rein1 the right hand is used to pull on that part which hangs beyond the thumb and forefinger4 ,when a horse refuses obedience to the bridle-hand1 it must be reinforced by the right4 ,the three first fingers of the right are placed over the bridoon rein1 so that the rein passes between the little and third fingers1 the end is then turned over the forefinger and1 as usual1 the thumb is placed upon it4 ,expertness in these permutations and combinations is only to be arrived at by constant practice4 ,they must be performed without stopping the horse1 altering his pace1 or even glancing at the hands4 ,the reins must not be held too loose1 but tight enough to keep touch of the horse's mouth2 and1 on the other hand1 there must be no attempt to hold on by the bridle1 or what is termed to ride in the horse's mouth4 ,a short rein is objectionable2 there must be no extension motions1 no reaching out for a short hold4 ,the proper position for the bridle-hand is immediately opposite the centre of the waist1 and about three or four inches from it1 that is1 on a level with the elbow1 and about three or four inches away from the body4 ,the elbow must neither be squeezed or trussed too tightly to the side1 nor thrust out too far1 but carried easily1 inclining a little from the body4 ,according to strict manege canons1 the thumb should be uppermost1 and the lower part of the hand nearer the waist than the upper1 the wrist a little rounded1 and the little finger in a line with the elbow4 ,a wholesome laxity in conforming to these hard-and-fast rules will be found to add to the grace of the rider4 ,chaque pays chaque guise1 and no two horses are alike in the carriage of the head1 the sensitiveness of the mouth1 and in action4 ,like ourselves1 they all have their own peculiarities4 ,illustration3 ,,the ,,right ,,and ,,wrong ,,elbow ,,action4 ,,the ,,walk4 ,the rider is now seated on what--in the case of a beginner--should be an absolutely quiet1 good-tempered1 and perfectly trained horse4 ,before schooling her as to seat1 we will ask her to move forward at the walk4 ,at first it is better to have the horse led by a leading rein till the debutante is accustomed to the motion and acquires some stock of confidence4 ,she must banish from her mind all thoughts of tumbling off4 ,we do not instruct after this fashion3--,lady 7after having taken several lessons at two guineas a dozen7 loq43 ,well1 ,mr4 ,pummell1 have ,i made any good progress8 ,well1 ,i can't say1 ma'am1 replies the instructor1 as 'ow you rides werry well as yet1 but you falls off1 ma'am1 a deal more gracefuller as wot you did at first4 ,we do not say that falls must not be expected1 but in mere hack and park riding they certainly ought to be few and far between4 ,at a steady and even fast walk the merest tyro cannot1 unless bent on experiencing the sensation of a tumble1 possibly come to the ground4 ,doubtless the motion is passing strange at first1 and the beginner may be tempted to clutch nervously at the pommel of her saddle1 a very bad and unsightly habit1 and one that1 if not checked from the very first1 grows apace and remains4 ,it is during the walk that the seat is formed1 and the rider makes herself practically acquainted with the rules laid down on the handling of the reins4 ,a press of the left leg1 a light touch of the whip on the off-side1 and a klk will promptly put the horse in motion4 ,he may toss his head1 and for a pace or two become somewhat unsteady2 this is not vice but mere freshness1 and he will almost immediately settle down into a quick1 sprightly step1 measuring each pace exactly1 and marking regular cadence1 the knee moderately bent1 the leg1 in the case of what ,paddy terms a flippant shtepper1 being sharply caught up1 appearing suspended in the air for a second1 and the foot brought smartly and firmly1 without jar1 to the ground4 ,this is the perfection of a walking pace4 ,by degrees any nervousness wears off1 the rigid trussed appearance gives place to one of pliancy and comparative security1 the body loses its constrained stiffness1 and begins to conform to and sway with the movements of the horse4 ,the rider1 sitting perfectly straight and erect1 approaches the correct position1 and lays the foundation of that ease and bearing which are absolutely indispensable4 ,illustration3 ,,right ,,mount4 ,,wrong ,,mount4 ,after a lesson or two1 if not of the too-timid order1 the lady will find herself sitting just so far forward in the saddle as is consistent with perfect ease and comfort1 and with the full power to grasp the upright crutch firmly with her right knee2 she will be aware of the friendly grip of the leaping-head over her left leg2 the weight of her body will fall exactly on the centre of the saddle2 her head1 though erect1 will be perfectly free from constraint1 the shoulders well squared1 and the hollow of the back gracefully bent in1 as in waltzing4 ,this graceful pose of the figure may be readily acquired1 throughout the preliminary lessons1 and indeed on all occasions when under tuition1 by passing the right arm behind the waist1 back of the hand to the body1 and riding with it in that position4 ,another good plan1 which can only be practised in the riding-school or in some out-of-the-way quiet corner1 and then only on a very steady horse1 is for the beginner1 without relaxing her grip on the crutch and the pressure on the leaping-head1 as she sits1 to lean or recline back so that her two shoulder-blades touch the hip-bones of the horse1 recovering herself and regaining her upright position without the aid of the reins4 ,the oftener this gymnastic exercise is performed the better4 ,at intervals during the lessons she should also1 having dropped her bridle1 assiduously practise the extension motions performed by recruits in our military-riding schools4 ,see ,appendix4 ,the excellent effects of this physical training will soon be appreciated4 ,but1 irrespective of the accuracy of seat1 suppleness and strength of limb1 confidence and readiness these athletic exercises beget1 they may1 when least expected1 save the rider's life4 ,some of those for whose instruction ,i have the honour to write1 may find themselves placed in a critical situation1 when the ability to lie back or duck may save them from a fractured skull4 ,inclining the body forward is1 from the notion that it tends towards security1 a fault very general with timid riders4 ,nothing1 however1 in the direction of safety1 is further from the fact4 ,should the horse1 after a visit to the farrier and the usual senseless free use of the smith's drawing and paring-knife1 tread upon a rolling stone and peck1 the lady1 leaning forward1 is suddenly thrown still further forward1 her whole weight is cast upon his shoulders1 so he of the tender foot comes down and sends his rider flying over his head4 ,a stoop in the figure is wanting in smartness1 and is unattractive4 ,illustration3 ,,turning ,,in ,,the ,,walk--,,right ,,and ,,wrong ,,way4 ,it is no uncommon thing to see ladies sitting on their horses in the form of the letter ,s1 and the effect can hardly be described as charming4 ,this inelegant position1 assumed by the lady in the distance1 is caused by being placed too much over to the right in the saddle1 owing to a too short stirrup4 ,in attempting to preserve the balance1 the body from the waist upwards has a strong twisted lean-over to the left1 the neck1 to counteract this lateral contortion of the spine1 being bent over to the right1 the whole pose conveying the impression that the rider must be a cripple braced up in surgeon's irons and other appliances4 ,not less hideous1 and equally prevalent1 is the habit of sitting too much to the left1 and leaning over in that direction several degrees out of the perpendicular4 ,a novice is apt to contract this leaning-seat from the apprehension1 existing in the mind of timid riders1 that they must fall off from the off rather than from the near side1 so they incline away from the supposed danger4 ,too long a stirrup is sometimes answerable for this crab-like posture4 ,in both of these awkward postures1 the seat becomes insecure1 and the due exercise of the aids impossible4 ,what is understood by aids in the language of the schools are the motions and proper application of the bridle-hand1 leg1 and heel to control and direct the turnings and paces of the horse4 ,the expression riding by balance has been frequently used1 and as it is the essence of good horsemanship1 ,i describe it in the words of an expert as consisting in a foreknowledge of what direction any given motion of the horse would throw the body1 and a ready adaptation of the whole frame to the proper position1 before the horse has completed his change of attitude or action2 it is that disposition of the person1 in accordance with the movements of the horse1 which preserves it from an improper inclination to one side or the other1 which even the ordinary paces of the horse in the trot or gallop will occasion4 ,in brief1 it is the automatic inclination of the person of the rider to the body of the horse by which the equilibrium is maintained4 ,the rider having to some extent perfected herself in walking straight forward1 inclining and turning to the right and to the right about1 and in executing the same movements to the left1 on all of which ,i shall have a few words to say later1 and when she can halt1 rein back1 and is generally handy with her horse at the walk1 she may attempt a slow ,,trot1 and here her sorrows may be said to begin4 ,,the ,,trot4 ,in this useful but trying pace the lady must sit well down on her saddle1 rising and falling in unison with the action of the horse1 springing lightly but not too highly by the action of the horse coupled with the flexibility of the instep and the knee4 ,as the horse breaks from the walk into the faster pace1 it is best not to attempt to rise from the saddle till he has fairly settled down to his trot--better for a few paces to sit back1 somewhat loosely1 and bump the saddle4 ,the rise from the saddle is to be made as perpendicularly as possible1 though a slight forward inclination of the body from the loins1 but not with roached-back1 may be permitted1 and only just so high as to prevent the jar that ensues from the movements of the rider with the horse not being in unison4 ,the return of the body to the saddle must be quiet1 light1 and unlaboured4 ,here it is that the practice without a stirrup will stand the novice in good stead4 ,this pace is the most difficult of all to ladies1 and few there be that attain the art of sitting square and gracefully at this gait1 and who rise and fall in the saddle seemingly without an effort and without riding too much in the horse's mouth4 ,most women raise themselves by holding on to the bridle4 ,instead of rising to the right1 so that they can glance down the horse's shoulder1 and descending to left1 and thus regain the centre of the saddle1 they persist in rising over the horse's left shoulder1 and come back on to the saddle in the direction of his off-quarter4 ,this twist of the body to the left destroys the purchase of the foot and knee1 and unsteadies the position and hands4 ,though ,i have sanctioned a slight leaning forward as the horse breaks into his trot1 it must not be overdone1 for should he suddenly throw up his head his poll may come in violent contact with the rider's face and forehead1 causing a blow that may spoil her beauty1 if not knock her senseless4 ,illustration3 ,,right ,,and ,,wrong ,,rising4 ,till the rider can hit off the secret of rising1 she will be severely shaken up--churned as a well-known horsewoman describes the jiggiddy-joggoddy motion1--the teeth feel as if they would be shaken out of their sockets1 and stitch-in-the-side puts in its unwelcome appearance4 ,certes1 the preliminary lessons are very trying ones1 the disarrangement of the get-up too awful1 the fatigue dreadful1 the alarm no trifle4 ,nothing seems easier1 and yet nothing in the art equestrian is so difficult--not to men with their two stirrups1 but to women with one only available4 ,what is more grotesque1 ridiculous1 and disagreeable than a rider rising and falling in the saddle at a greater and lesser speed than that of her horse8 ,and yet1 fair reader1 if you will have a little patience1 a good deal of perseverance1 some determination1 and will attend to the hints ,i give1 you shall1 in due course1 be mistress over the difficulty1 and rise and fall with perfect ease and exquisite grace1 free from all embarras or undue fatigue4 ,first of all1 we must put you on a very smooth1 easy1 and sedate trotter2 by-and-by we may transfer your saddle to something more sharp and lively1 perhaps even indulge you with a mount on a regular bone-setter4 ,to commence with1 the lessons1 or rather trotting bouts1 shall be short1 there shall be frequent halts1 and during these halts ,i shall make you drop your reins and put you through extension and balance motions1 endeavour to correct your position on the saddle1 catechize you closely on the aids1 and introduce as much variety as possible4 ,before urging your steed into his wild six or seven-mile-an-hour career1 please bear in mind that you must not rise suddenly1 or with a jerk1 but quietly and smoothly1 letting the impetus come from the motion of the horse4 ,the rise from the saddle must not be initiated by a long pull and strong pull at his mouth1 a spasmodic grip of your right leg on the crutch1 or a violent attempt to raise yourself in the air from your stirrup4 ,the horse will not accommodate his action to yours1 you must take him on the hop1 as the saying is4 ,if horse and rider go disjointly1 or you do not harmonize your movements with his1 then it is something as unpleasant as dancing a waltz with a partner who won't keep time1 or rowing spoonful about4 ,falling in with the trot of a horse is at first very difficult4 ,in order to facilitate matters as much as possible1 you shall1 for a few days1 substitute the old-fashioned slipper for the stirrup1 as then the spring will come from the toes and not from the hollow of the foot2 this will lessen the exertion and be easier4 ,if nature has happened to fashion you somewhat short from the hip to the knee1 and you will attend to instruction and practice frequently1 the chances are strong in your favour of conquering the irksome cross-jolt4 ,separate your reins1 taking one in each hand1 feeling the mouth equally with both reins1 sit well down on your saddle1 keep your left foot pointed straight to the front1 don't attempt to move till the horse has steadied into his trot1 which1 in case of a well trained animal1 will be in a stride or two1 then endeavour1 obeying the impulse of his movement1 to time the rise4 ,a really perfectly broken horse1 supplied on both hands1 as it is termed1 leads1 in the trot as in the canter1 equally well with either leg1 but1 in both paces1 a very large majority have a favourite leading leg4 ,by glancing over the right shoulder the time for the rise may be taken4 ,do not be disheartened by repeated failures to catch on2 persevere1 and suddenly you will hit it off4 ,when the least fatigued1 pull up into a walk1 and when rested have another try4 ,at the risk of repetition1 ,i again impress on you the necessity of keeping the toe of the left foot pointed to the front1 the foot itself back1 and with the heel depressed4 ,your descent into the saddle should be such that any one you may be riding straight at1 shall see a part of your right shoulder and hip as they rise and fall1 his line of vision being directed along the off-side of the horse's neck4 ,when these two portions of your body are so visible then the weight is in its proper place1 and there is no fear of the saddle being dragged over the horse's near shoulder4 ,for a few strides there is no objection to your taking a light hold of the pommel with the right hand1 in order to time the rise1 but the moment the cross-jolt ceases1 and you find yourself moving in unison with the horse1 the hold must be relaxed4 ,some difficulty will be found in remaining long enough out of the saddle at each rise to avoid descending too soon1 and thus receive a double cross-jolt2 but this will be overcome after a few attempts4 ,keep the hands well down and the elbows in4 ,illustration3 ,,the ,,trot4 ,varying the speed in the trot will be found excellent practice for the hands2 the faster a horse goes1 generally speaking1 the easier he goes4 ,he must be kept going well within himself1 that is he must not be urged to trot at a greater speed than he can compass with true and equal action4 ,some very fast trotters1 daisy cutters1 go with so little upward jerk that it is almost impossible to rise on them at all4 ,any attempt at half-cantering with his hind legs must be at once checked by pulling him together1 and1 by slowing him down1 getting him back into collected form4 ,should he break badly1 from being over-paced1 into a canter or hard-gallop1 then rein him in1 pulling up1 if need be1 into a walk1 chiding him at the same time4 ,when he again brings his head in and begins to step clean1 light1 and evenly1 then let him resume his trot4 ,if not going up to his bit and hanging heavy on the hand1 move the bit in his mouth1 let him feel the leg1 and talk to him4 ,like ourselves1 horses are not up to the mark every day1 and though they do not go to heated theatres and crowded ball-rooms1 or indulge as some of their masters and mistresses are said to do1 they too often spend twenty hours or more out of the twenty-four in the vitiated atmosphere of a hot1 badly ventilated stable1 and their insides are converted into apothecaries' shops by ignorant doctoring grooms4 ,when a free horse does not face his bit1 he is either fatigued or something is amiss4 ,,the ,,canter4 ,properly speaking1 this being1 par excellence1 the lady's pace1 the instruction should precede that of the trot4 ,the comparative ease of the canter1 and the readiness with which the average pupil takes to it1 induces the beginner to at once indulge in it4 ,it is1 on a thoroughly trained horse1 so agreeable that the uninitiated at once acquire confidence on horseback4 ,moreover1 it is the pace at which a fine figure and elegant lady-like bearing is most conspicuously displayed1 and for this1 if for no other reason1 the pupil applies herself earnestly--shall ,i say lovingly8--to perfect herself in this delightful feature of the art4 ,on a light-actioned horse1 one moving as it were on springs1 going well on his haunches1 and well up to this bit1 the motion is as easy as that of a rocking-chair4 ,all the rider has to do is to sit back1 keep the body quite flexible and in the centre of the saddle1 preserve the balance1 and1 with pressure from the left leg and heel1 and a touch of the whip1 keep him up to his bit4 ,she will imperceptibly leave the saddle at every stride1 which1 in a slow measured canter1 will be reduced to a sort of rubbing motion1 just sufficient to ease the slight jolt caused by the action of the haunches and hind legs4 ,many park-horses and ladies' hacks are trained to spring at once1 without breaking into a run or trot1 into the canter4 ,all the rider has to do is to raise the hand ever so little1 press him with the leg1 touch him with the whip1 and give him the unspellable signal klk4 ,the movement or sway of the body should follow that of the horse4 ,as soon as he is in his stride1 the rider throws back her body a little1 and places her hand in a suitable position4 ,if the horse carries his head well1 the hand ought to be about three inches from the pommel1 and at an equal distance from the body4 ,for star-gazers it should be lower2 and for borers it should be raised higher4 ,once properly under way the lady will study that almost imperceptible willow-like bend of the back1 her shoulders will be thrown back gracefully1 the mere suspicion of a swing accommodating itself to the motion of the horse will come from the pliant waist1 and she will yield herself just a little to the opposite side from that the horse's leading leg is on4 ,if he leads with the off-foot1 he inclines a trifle to the left1 and the rider's body and hands must turn but a little to the left also1 and vice versa4 ,it is the rider's province to direct which foot the horse shall lead with4 ,to canter with the left fore leg leading1 the extra bearing will be upon the left rein1 the little finger turned up towards the right shoulder1 the hint from the whip--a mere touch should suffice--being on the right shoulder or flank4 ,it is essential that the bearing upon the mouth1 a light playing touch1 should be preserved throughout the whole pace4 ,if the horse should1 within a short distance--say a mile or so1--flag1 then he must be reminded by gentle application of the whip4 ,he cannot canter truly and bear himself handsomely unless going up to his bit4 ,the rider must feel the cadence of every pace1 and be able to extend or shorten the stride at will4 ,it is an excellent plan to change the leading leg frequently1 so that upon any disturbance of pace1 going false1 or change of direction1 the rider may be equal to the occasion4 ,the lady must be careful that the bridle-arm does not acquire the ugly habit of leaving the body and the elbow of being stuck out of it akimbo4 ,all the movements of the hand should proceed from the wrist1 the bearings and play on the horse's mouth being kept up by the little finger4 ,ladies will find that most horses are trained to lead entirely with the off leg1 and that when1 from any disturbance of pace1 they are forced to change step and lead with the near leg1 their action becomes very awkward and uneven4 ,hence they are prone to regard cantering with the near leg as disagreeable4 ,but when they come to use their own horses1 they will find it good economy to teach them to change the leading leg constantly1 both during the canter and at the commencement of the pace4 ,to make a horse change foot in his canter1 if he cannot be got readily to do so by hand1 leg1 and heel1 turn him to the right1 as if to circle1 and he will lead with the off foreleg1 and by repeating the same make-believe manoeuvre to the left1 the near fore will be in front4 ,the beginner1 however1 had better pull up into the walk before attempting this change4 ,when pulling up from the canter1 it is best and safest to let the horse drop into a trot for a few paces and so resume the walk4 ,there is no better course of tuition by which to acquire balance than the various inclinations to the right and left1 the turns to the right and left and to the right and left-about at the canter1 all of which1 with the exception of the full turns1 should be performed on the move without halting4 ,in the turn-about1 it is necessary to bring the horse to a momentary halt before the turn be commenced1 and so soon as he has gone about and the turn is fully completed1 a lift of the hand and a touch of the leg and heel should instanter compel him to move forward at the canter in the opposite direction2 he must no sooner be round than off4 ,when no ,riding-school is available1 one constructed of hurdles closely laced with gorse1 on the sheep-lambing principle1 will answer all purposes4 ,should the horse be at all awkward or unsteady1 the hurdles1 placed one on the top of the other and tied to uprights driven into the ground1 closely interlaced with the gorse so that he cannot see through or over the barrier1 will form a perfect1 retired exercise ground4 ,a plentiful surface dressing of golden-peat-moss-litter will save his legs and feet4 ,in a quiet open impromptu school of this description1 away from the madding crowd1 ,i have schooled young horses so that they would canter almost on their own ground1 circling round a bamboo lance shaft1 the point in the ground and the butt in my right hand1 without changing legs or altering pace1 and they would describe the figure eight with almost mathematical precision1 changing leg at every turn without any aid from me1 a mere inclination of the body bringing them round the curves4 ,a horse very handy with his legs can readily change them at the corners when making the full right-angle turn1 but there is always at first the danger of one not so clever attempting to execute the turn by crossing the leading leg over the supporting one1 when the rider will be lucky to get off with an awkward stumble--a cropper will most likely follow4 ,when at this private practice1 make much of your horse--that is1 caress and speak kindly to him1 when he does well2 in fact1 the more he is spoken to throughout the lesson1 the better for both parties4 ,so good and discriminating is a horse's ear that he soon learns to appreciate the difference between kindly approval and stern censure4 ,a sympathy between horse and rider is soon established1 and such freemasonry is delightful4 ,illustration3 ,,free ,,but ,,not ,,easy4 ,never canter on the high road1 and see that your groom does not indulge himself by so doing4 ,on elastic springy turf the pace1 which in reality is a series of short bounds1 if not continued too long at a time1 does no great harm1 but one mile on a hard1 unyielding surface causes more wear-and-tear of joints1 shoulders1 and frame generally1 than a long day's work of alternating walk and trot which1 on the ,queen's highway1 are the proper paces4 ,there is no objection to a canter when a bit of turf is found on the road-side2 and the little drains cut to lead the water off the turnpike into the ditch serve to make young horses handy with their legs4 ,,the ,,hand-,,gallop ,,and ,,gallop4 ,the rider should not attempt either of these accelerated paces till quite confident that she has the horse under complete control4 ,as the hand-gallop is only another and quickened form of the canter1 in which the stride is both lengthened and hastened1 or1 more correctly speaking1 in which the bounds are longer and faster1 the same rules are applicable to both4 ,many horses1 especially those through whose veins strong hot blood is pulsing1 fairly revel in the gallop1 and if allowed to gain upon the hand1 will soon extend the hand-gallop to full-gallop1 and that rapid pace into a runaway4 ,the rider must1 therefore1 always keep her horse well in hand1 so as to be able to slacken speed should he get up too much steam4 ,some1 impatient of restraint1 will shake their heads1 snatch at their bits1 and yaw about1 fighting for their heads1 as it is termed1 and will endeavour to bore and get their heads down4 ,a well-trained horse1 one such as a beginner should ride1 will not play these pranks and will not take a dead pull at the rider's hands2 on the contrary1 he will stride along quite collectedly1 keeping his head in its proper place1 and taking just sufficient hold to make things pleasant4 ,but horses with perfect mouths and manners are1 like angels' visits1 few and far between1 and are eagerly sought after by those fortunate beings to whom money is no object4 ,to be on the safe side1 the rider should always be on the alert and prepared to at once apply the brake4 ,when fairly in his stride and going comfortably1 the rider1 leaning slightly forward1 should1 with both hands on the bridle1 give and take with each stroke1 playing the while with the curb2 she should talk cheerily to him1 but the least effort on his part to gain upon the hand must be at once checked4 ,the play of the little fingers on the curb keeps his mouth alive1 prevents his hanging or boring1 and makes it sensible to the rider's hand4 ,keeping a horse in hand means that there is such a system of communication established between the rider and the quadruped that the former is mistress of the situation1 and knows1 almost before the horse has made up his mind what to do1 what is coming4 ,this keeping in hand is one of the secrets of fine horsemanship1 and it especially suits the light-hearted mercurial sort of goer1 one that is always more or less off the ground or in the air1 one of those that treads so light he scarcely prints the plain4 ,my impression is1 despite the numerous bits devised and advertised to stop runaways1 that nothing short of a long and steep hill1 a steam-cultivated1 stiff clay fallow1 or the ,bog of ,allen1 will stop the determined bolt of a self-willed1 callous-mouthed horse4 ,there is no use pulling at him1 for the more you pull the harder he hardens his heart and his mouth4 ,the only plan1 if there be plenty of elbow room1 is to let him have his wicked way a bit1 then1 with one mighty concentrated effort to give a sudden snatch at the bit1 followed by instantly and rapidly drawing1 sawing1 of the bridoon through his mouth4 ,above all1 keep your presence of mind1 and if by any good luck you can so pilot the brute as to make him face an ascent1 drive him up it--if it be as steep as the roof of a house1 so much the better1--plying whip and spur1 till he be completely pumped out and dead beat4 ,failing a steep hill1 perhaps a ploughed field may present itself1 through and round which he should be ridden1 in the very fullest sense of the word1 till he stands still4 ,such a horse is utterly unfit to carry a lady1 and1 should she come safe and sound out of the uncomfortable ride1 he had better be consigned to ,tattersall's or ,the ,lane1 to be sold absolutely without reserve4 ,worse still than the runaway professional bolter is the panic-stricken flight of a suddenly scared horse1 in which abject terror reigns supreme1 launching him at the top of his speed in full flight from some imaginary foe4 ,nature has taught him to seek safety in flight1 and the frightened animal1 with desperate and exhausting energy1 will gallop till he drops4 ,professor ,galvayne's system claims to be effective with runaway and nervous bolters4 ,at ,ayr that distinguished horse-tamer cured1 in the space of one hour1 an inveterate performer in that objectionable line1 and a pair he now drives were1 at one time1 given to like malpractices4 ,do not urge your horse suddenly from a canter into a full gallop2 let him settle down to his pace gradually--steady him4 ,being jumped off1 like a racehorse with a flying start at the fall of the flag1 is very apt to make a hot1 high-couraged horse run away or attempt to do so4 ,some horses1 however1 allow great liberties to be taken with them1 and others none4 ,all depends on temperament1 and whether the nervous1 fibrous1 sanguine1 or lymphatic element preponderates4 ,and here let me remark that the fibrous temperament is the one to struggle and endure1 to last the longest1 and to give the maximum of ease1 comfort1 and satisfaction to owner and rider4 ,,leaping4 ,throw the broad ditch behind you2 o'er the hedge ,high bound1 resistless2 nor the deep morass refuse4 ,,thompson4 ,though the pleasures of the chase are purposely excluded from this volume1 the horsewoman's preliminary course of instruction would hardly be complete without a few remarks on jumping4 ,in clearing an obstacle1 a horse must to all intents and purposes go through all the motions inherent to the vices of rearing1 plunging1 and kicking1 yet the three1 when in rapid combination1 are by no means difficult to accommodate one's self to4 ,it is best to commence on a clever1 steady horse--a safe conveyance that will go quietly at his fences1 jump them without an effort1 landing light as a cork1 and one that will never dream of refusing4 ,as beginners1 no matter what instructors may say and protest1 will invariably1 for the first few leaps1 till they acquire confidence1 grip1 and balance1 ride to some extent in the horse's mouth1 they should be placed on an animal with not too sensitive a mouth1 one that can go pleasantly in a plain snaffle4 ,begin with something low1 simple1 and easy--say a three feet high gorsed hurdle1 so thickly laced with the whin that daylight cannot be seen through1 with a low white-painted rail some little distance from it on the take-off side4 ,if there be a ditch between the rail and the fence1 so much the better1 for the more the horse spreads himself the easier it will be to the rider1 the jerk or prop on landing the less severe4 ,some horses sail over the largest obstacle1 land1 and are away again without their appearing to call upon themselves for any extra exertion2 they clear it in their stride4 ,hunters that know their business can be trotted up to five-barred gates and stiff timber1 which they will clear with consummate ease2 but height and width require distinct efforts1 and the rear and kick in this mode of negotiating a fence are so pronounced and so sudden that they would be certain to unseat the novice4 ,illustration3 ,,the ,,leap4 ,it is easiest to sit a leap if the horse is ridden at it in a canter or1 at most1 in a well-collected1 slow hand-gallop4 ,the reins being held in both hands with a firm1 steady hold1 the horse should be ridden straight at the spot you have selected to jump4 ,sit straight1 or1 if anything out of the perpendicular1 lean a little back4 ,the run at the fence need only be a few yards4 ,as he nears it1 the forward prick of his alert ears and a certain measuring of his distance will indicate that he means to have it1 and is gathering himself for the effort4 ,the rider should then1 if she can persuade herself so to do1 give him full liberty of head4 ,certain instructors1 and horsemen in general1 will prate glibly of lifting a horse over his fence4 ,i have read of steeplechase riders throwing their horses over almost unnegotiable obstacles1 but it is about as easy to upend an elephant by the tail and throw him over the garden wall as it is for any rider to lift his horse4 ,although the horse must be made to feel1 as he approaches the fence1 that it is utterly impossible for him to swerve from it1 yet the instant he is about to rise the reins should be slacked off1 to be almost immediately brought to bear again as he descends4 ,irish horses are the best jumpers we have1 and their excellence may justly be ascribed to the fact that1 for the most part1 they are ridden in the snaffle bridle4 ,if the horse be held too light by the head he will buck over the obstacle1 a form of jumping well calculated to jerk the beginner out of her saddle4 ,after topping the hurdle1 the horse's forehand1 in his descent1 will be lower than his hind quarters4 ,had the rider leant forward as he rose on his hind legs1 the violent effort or kick of his haunches would have thrown her still further over his neck1 whereas1 having left the ground with a slight inclination towards the croup1 the forward spring of the horse will add to that backward tendency and place her in the best possible position in which to counteract the shock received upon his forefeet reaching the ground4 ,if the rider does not slacken the reins as the horse makes his spring1 they must either be drawn through her hands or she will land right out on his neck4 ,i have referred to the buck-over system of jumping1 which is very common with ,irish horses4 ,a mare of mine1 well-known in days of yore at ,fermoy as ,up-she-rises1 would have puzzled even ,mrs4 ,power ,o',donoghue4 ,she would come full gallop1 when hounds were running1 at a stone wall1 pull up and crouch close under it1 then1 with one mighty effort1 throw herself over1 her hind legs landing on the other side little more than the thickness of the wall from where her forefeet had taken off4 ,it was not a buck1 but a straight up-on-end rear1 followed by a frantic kick that threatened to hurl saddle and rider half across the field4 ,scrutator1 in ,horses and ,hounds1 makes mention of an ,irish horse1 which would take most extraordinary leaps over gates and walls1 and if going ever so fast would always check himself and take his leaps after his own fashion4 ,not thinking him1 writes this fine sportsman1 up to my weight1 he was handed over to the second whipper-in1 and treated ,jack at first acquaintance to a rattling fall or two4 ,he rode him1 as he had done his other horses1 pretty fast at a stiff gate1 which came in his way the first day4 ,some of the field1 not fancying it1 persuaded ,jack to try first1 calculating upon his knocking it open1 or breaking the top bar4 ,the horse1 before taking off1 stopped quite short1 and jerked him out of the saddle over to the other side2 then raising himself on his hind legs1 vaulted over upon ,jack1 who was lying on his back4 ,not being damaged1 ,jack picked himself up1 and grinning at his friends1 who were on the wrong side laughing at his fall1 said1 ',never mind1 gentlemen1 'tis a rum way of doing things that horse has2 but no matter1 we are both on the right side1 and that's where you won't be just yet4' ,the standing jump is much more difficult1 till the necessary balance be acquired1 than the flying leap4 ,the lower and longer the curve described1 the easier to sit2 but in this description of leaping1 the horse1 though he clears height1 cannot cover much ground4 ,his motion is like that of the ,whip's horse described above1 and the rider will find the effort1 as he springs from his haunches1 much more accentuated than in the case of the flying leap1 and therefore the more difficult to sit4 ,as1 however1 leaping1 properly speaking1 belongs to the hunting-field1 ,i propose to deal more fully with the subject in another volume4 ,,dismounting4 ,when the novice dismounts there should1 at first1 be two persons to aid--one to hold the horse's head1 the other to lift her from the saddle4 ,after a very few lessons1 if the lady be active and her hack a steady one1 the services of the former may be dispensed with4 ,of course the horse is brought to full stop4 ,transfer the whip to the left hand1 throw the right leg over to the near side of the crutch and disengage the foot from the stirrup4 ,let the reins fall on the neck1 see that the habit skirt is quite clear of the leaping-head1 turn in the saddle1 place the left hand upon the right arm of the cavalier or squire1 the right on the leaping-head1 and half spring half glide to the ground1 lighting on the balls of the feet1 dropping a slight curtsey to break the jar on the frame4 ,retain hold of the leaping-head till safely landed4 ,very few men understand the proper manner in which to exercise the duties of the cavalier servant in mounting and dismounting ladies4 ,many ladies not unreasonably object to be lifted off their horses almost into grooms' arms4 ,a correspondent of the ,sporting and ,dramatic ,news mentions a contretemps to a somewhat portly lady in the ,crimea1 whose husband1 in hoisting her up on to her saddle with more vigour than skill1 sent his better half right over the horse's back sprawling on the ground4 ,it is by no means an uncommon thing to see ladies1 owing to want of lift on the part of the lifter and general clumsiness1 failing to reach the saddle and slipping down again4 ,having dismounted1 make much of your horse1 and give him a bit of carrot1 sugar1 apple1 or some tid-bit4 ,horses are particularly fond of apples4 ,,chapter ,,iv4 ,,the ,,side ,,saddle4 ,it is of first-class importance that a lady's saddle should be made by a respectable and thoroughly competent saddler4 ,seeing the number of years a well-built and properly kept side-saddle will last1 it is but penny wise to grudge the necessary outlay in the first instance4 ,those constructed on the cheap machine-made system never give satisfaction to the rider1 are constantly in need of repair 7grooms1 if permitted1 are everlastingly in and out of the saddler's shop71 and are a prolific cause of sore backs4 ,illustration3 ,,the ,,old ,,style4 ,with all saddles the chief cause1 the source and origin1 of evil is badly constructed and badly fitting trees that take an undue bearing on different parts of the back4 ,at a critical moment1 when just a little extra exertion would perhaps keep the horse on his legs1 a somewhat tender muscle or portion of scalded skin comes in painful contact with some part of an ill-fitting saddle1 the agony causing him to wince1 checks the impulse to extend the spare leg1 and he comes down4 ,it does not matter how hard or heavy the rider may be1 how tender the skin1 a sore back can be prevented by a proper system of measurement and a good pannel4 ,mrs4 ,power ,o',donoghue1 in her very interesting letters upon ,ladies on ,horseback1 unsparingly condemns the elaborate embroidery which adorned 787 the near flap of every old-fashioned saddle1 pointing out that as it is always concealed by the rider's right leg1 the work is a needless expense4 ,there might be some sense1 that brilliant and bold horsewoman says1 although very little1 in decorating the off-side and imparting to it somewhat of an ornamental appearance2 but in my opinion there cannot be too much simplicity about anything connected with riding appointments4 ,let your saddle1 like your personal attire1 be remarkable only for perfect freedom from ornament or display4 ,have it made to suit yourself--neither too weighty nor yet too small1--and if you want to ride with grace and comfort1 desire that it be constructed without one particle of the objectionable dip4 ,illustration3 ,,the ,,safety ,,saddle4 ,the foregoing two sketches1 ,the ,old ,style and ,the ,straight-,seated ,safety1 contrast the wide difference between the old and fast disappearing form of side-saddle and that designed and manufactured by ,messrs4 ,champion and ,wilton4 ,the disadvantages of the old style are so painfully obvious that it is marvellous they should not have been remedied years ago4 ,on1 or rather in1 one of these1 the lady sat in a dip or kind of basin1 and unless her limbs were of unusual length--thereby pushing her right knee towards the off-side--she necessarily faced half-left1 both1 not her horse's ears1 but his near shoulder2 or1 in order to attain any squareness of front1 she was called upon to twist her body from the hips1 and to maintain a most fatiguing1 forced position during her whole ride 7even through a long day's hunting71 or else sit altogether on the near side of her saddle4 ,this twist was the cause of the pains in the spine so frequently complained of4 ,more than this1 the height upon which her pommels were raised caused her to sit1 as it were1 uphill1 or at best 7in the attempt on the part of the saddler to rectify this1 by stuffing up the seat of her saddle7 to find herself perched far above her horse's back4 ,the natural expedient of carrying the upper or middle pommel nearer the centre of the horse's withers1 so as to bring the knee about in a line with his mane1 was impracticable with the old-style of saddle tree1 which gave the pommels a lofty1 arched base above the apex of his shoulders4 ,the result was1 in all cases1 7#a7 great inconvenience and often curvature of the spine to the rider1 7#b7 constant liability to sore back on the part of the horse1 through the cross friction produced by the lady's one-sided position4 ,to meet and entirely remove the difficulty1 ,messrs4 ,champion and ,wilton pruned away all the forepart of the saddle-tree1 and1 in place of the raised wood and metal base1 upon which the lady's right leg formerly rested1 substituted merely a stout leather flap or cushion4 ,as will be seen from the foregoing illustration1 they were by this arrangement able to place the upper pommel in whatever exact position the form of the rider may require1 to enable her to sit straight to her proper front1 riding the whole upon a level seat1 and distributing her weight fairly upon her horse's back4 ,the importance of being in a position to face her work and to hold her horse at his1 needs no comment4 ,the small holster attached to the saddle is an exceedingly ingenious air and water-tight detachable receptacle for a reliable watch with a very clearly marked dial4 ,the rider thus always has the time before her eyes1 and is saved the great inconvenience--in the hunting-field especially--of unbuttoning the habit to get out a watch4 ,this invention1 though not a necessity1 is a very handy adjunct4 ,illustration3 ,,fig #a ,this superlatively good saddle is fitted with a ,,patent ,,safety-,,stirrup ,,bar1 which1 while it renders it impossible for the rider to be hung up or dragged when thrown1 cannot possibly become detached so long as she remains in the saddle4 ,the action of this perfect safeguard is explained by the accompanying diagrams4 ,illustration3 ,,fig #a ,,fig #b ,,fig #c ,the back of the bar is fixed to the tree in the ordinary way4 ,there are only two moving parts1 viz4 the hinged hook-piece1 marked ,a1 ,figs4 #a1 #b1 and #c1 upon which the loop of the stirrup-leather is hung1 and the locking bar1 ,b1 upon which the skirt and the rider's legs rest4 ,it will be noticed that the front of the hook-piece1 marked ,a1 ,fig4 #a1 is cut off diagonally front and back1 and that there is upon the back-plate a cone1 marked ,c1 which projects through the back of the hook-piece4 ,the locking action may be thus described3 ,the skirt1 with lever1 ,b1 ,fig4 #b1 is lifted1 the hook1 ,a1 pulled forward1 and the loop of the stirrup-leather hooked upon it2 it springs back again 7spring not shown7 and the locking lever1 ,b1 falls down over it1 as at ,fig #c4 ,while in the saddle1 one of the rider's legs rests at all times upon the skirt and lever1 which therefore cannot rise2 but upon the rider being thrown and dragged1 the stirrup-leather is tilted diagonally against the cone1 ,c1 in passing which the hook is thrust outwards1 lifting the locking lever and skirt1 as shown1 ,fig4 #b1 and thus reaching the releasing point1 is free4 ,there is another case more rare1 that in which the rider is thrown over the horse's head1 and also over a gate or fence when the horse refuses and backs2 and here we have just the reverse action to that of the ordinary dragging1 but in this case the bar acts equally well4 ,when the rider is thrown and dragged on the off or reverse side1 the stirrup-leather lifts the skirt and locking lever1 ,fig4 #b1 and there remains nothing to retain the loop to the bar4 ,the above sketch of the side-saddle will aid in making the foregoing clear4 ,here ,a is the skirt1 and locking lever1 ,b1 shown raised1 in order to fit the loop of the stirrup-leather to the hook ,c below the cone ,d4 ,a balance strap is usually supplied with a side-saddle1 and is a very desirable adjunct4 ,ds also1 to which the cover-coat is attached1 should be fitted on4 ,quilted or plain doeskin seat and pommels are matters of taste4 ,these extras add to the cost of the saddle4 ,a waterproof or leather cover is an essential4 ,hogskin caps and straps1 to prevent the habit catching on the pommels1 should be provided when the new patent safety-bar stirrup is not used4 ,when practicable a lady should invariably be measured for her saddle4 ,it is almost impossible to find a lady's horse that at some time or another has not suffered from sore back1 and it is imperative that the saddle should fit both and that perfectly4 ,we bipeds cannot walk or run in tight ill-fitting boots1 neither can a horse act under a badly fitting saddle4 ,i have read somewhere that the ,empress of ,austria rode in an #h-lb4 saddle1 a statement ,i take leave to doubt4 ,her ,imperial ,highness is far too fine and experienced a horsewoman to have been seen outside any such toy4 ,in the present day there is a senseless rage for light side-saddles1 much to be deprecated1 as the lightness is gained at the expense of the tree1 and light flimsy leather is used in their manufacture4 ,possibly when alum comes into general use we may see lighter and even strong trees4 ,a lady weighing #i stone #g lbs4 requires a saddle about #ag inches long1 measured1 as in the sketch1 from ,a to ,b1 the seat from ,c to ,d1 #ac-a_/d inches wide1 the upright pommel #e-a_/b inches high1 and the leaping-head #h inches long4 ,such a saddle1 brand new1 will weigh about #ad lbs41 and at the end of a season will pull the scale down at #ah to #bj lbs4 ,a saddle made of the proper weight and strength in the first instance--the extra weight being in the tree1 where the strength is required--will be lighter in appearance4 ,light saddles always require a lot of extra stuffing1 which soon mounts up the weight and detracts from the looks2 moreover it is very inconvenient to be constantly sending one's saddle to be restuffed4 ,most ladies1 from lack of proper supervision and want of thought1 are neglectful of the make and condition of their saddles1 and so some ribald cynic has hazarded the remark that although a good man is merciful to his beast1 a good woman is rarely so4 ,a first class firm keeps an experienced man for the purpose of measuring horses1 who is sent out any distance required at a fixed scale of charges4 ,when a lady cannot conveniently attend to be measured1 she should endeavour to get the measurements1 as indicated in the sketch1 from some saddle in which she can ride with comfort4 ,though careful fitting and adjustment of the saddle will reduce friction to a minimum1 and will1 in the majority of cases1 do away with its baneful effects1 still with some very highly bred horses the skin of the back is so easily irritated1 that during a long day's work1 in hot climates especially1 it becomes chafed1 and injury is inflicted either at the withers or underneath the seat4 ,nothing is more difficult to deal with and heal than a sore back4 ,in a prolonged and arduous campaign1 ,i have seen regiments seriously reduced below their fighting strength by obstinate sore backs4 ,a very great desideratum1 in my opinion1 is the new ,humanity sponge-lined numnah1 another of ,messrs4 ,champion and ,wilton's sensible inventions4 ,this excellent preventative and curative ,saddle-cloth keeps the most tender-skinned horse in a position to walk in comfort4 ,it is an adaptation of the finer kind of ,turkey sponge1 the soft nature of which suggested itself to the inventors as an agent for counteracting saddle friction4 ,it is made in two varieties3 7#a7 of bridle leather1 lined at the withers with this fine1 natural sponge1 thus interposing a soft pad between the saddle and the withers 7a point where the chief strain of a lady's seat is brought to bear during the action of the trot72 7#b7 of a fine white felt1 lined at the back as well as at the withers with the same quality of sponge1 and intended for such horses as are apt to become troubled under the seat of the saddle as well as at the withers4 ,the sponge has to be damped1 preferably in warm water1 but pressed or wrung out before using1 and the leather part kept soft with vaseline1 which is an excellent preservative and softener of leather4 ,each time after use1 the sweat should be thoroughly washed out of the sponge2 to ensure best results1 attention to scrupulous cleanliness is absolutely essential4 ,the following are representations of this numnah4 ,illustration3 ,,inside ,,surface4 ,with the safety-bar and the ,zenith habit it matters not what form of stirrup a lady uses1 for these have done away with the necessity for the so-called safety patterns1 of which there are several4 ,the slipper has been objected to1 as it1 from being so comfortable1 encourages ladies to lean their whole weight on it and thus throw themselves out of balance2 moreover1 it is out of fashion4 ,mrs4 ,power ,o',donoghue advocates the plain iron racing stirrup1 with the foot well home1 as by its means the rise or purchase is from the instep1 as it ought to be1 and not from the toes4 ,the ,prussian side-pieces at the bottom take sharp pressure off the sides of the foot4 ,the ,victoria and ,french pad inside the stirrup1 except when the safety bar and habit are adopted1 are fraught with danger2 with these precautions they are a great comfort1 and guard the instep at the trot when the foot is thrust well home4 ,the size of the stirrup should be proportionate to the foot4 ,,chapter ,v4 ,,hints ,,upon ,,costume4 ,she wore what was then somewhat universal--a coat1 vest1 and hat resembling those of a man2 which fashion has since called a ,,riding-,,habit4--,diana ,vernon1 ,,scott4 ,under no circumstances does a lady1 possessed of good figure and carriage1 appear to such great advantage1 or is she so fascinating1 as when with mien and bearing haught and high1 with perfect1 well-balanced seat1 and light hands1 faultlessly appointed1 firmly1 gently1 and with seeming carelessness she controls some spirited high-bred horse1 some noble steed of stainless purity of breed1 whose rounded symmetry of form1 characteristic spring of the tail1 and pride of port1 proclaim his descent from ,the ,silver ,arab with his purple veins1 ,the true blood royal of his race4 ,at no time are the beauties of the female form divine displayed with such witching grace1 the faultless flowing lines so attractively posed1 the tout ensemble so thoroughly patrician4 ,but if there be one blot in the fair picture the whole charm at once vanishes4 ,the incomparable dignity1 the well-turned-out steeds--the best that money could buy or critical judgment select--the perfect figure of that superb horsewoman the ,empress of ,austria1 of whom it may justly be said ,all the pride of all her race in herself reflected lives1 were it possible for ,her ,imperial ,majesty to err in such a matter1 would have been of little effect1 but for a faultlessly cut and fitting habit4 ,fine feathers make fine birds1 and though in riding costume the plumage1 save in the hunting-field1 must be of sombre tint1 it must be unruffled and lie perfectly flat4 ,there are ,habit-makers and ,habit-makers2 a very few as perfect as need be1 more mediocre1 most arrant bunglers4 ,of late years legions of so-called ladies'-tailors have sprung into being1 not one in a hundred possessing the faintest idea of what is wanted4 ,a ,habit-maker is a genius not often met with1 and when come across should be made a note of4 ,a perfect fitting habit1 though not quite a joy for ever1 is a very useful1 long-wearing1 and altogether desirable garment4 ,particular attention must be given to the cutting of the back of the neck to secure plenty of play1 and to prevent that disagreeable tightness so often experienced1 which completely mars the easy and graceful movement of the head4 ,while giving absolute freedom to the figure1 the well shaped body will fit like a glove4 ,a tight habit gives a stiff1 inelegant appearance to the whole figure1 and produces a feeling of being cribbed1 cabined1 and confined1 tantamount to semi-suffocation4 ,a too long waist is certain to ride-up and wrinkle4 ,for winter wear there is nothing like the double-breasted body4 ,the choice to select from is a wide one4 ,illustration3 ,,the ,,zenith ,,habit--,,jacket ,,body4 ,to my mind and eye no one understands the whole art of habit-making so well as ,mr4 ,w4 ,shingleton1 #fj1 ,new ,bond ,street1 ,london1 the inventor of the patent ,zenith skirt1 an ingenious arrangement which should be universally patronized for its absolute safety1 if for no less weighty reason4 ,any lady wearing this clever and smart combination of skirt and trousers1 seated on one of ,messrs4 ,champion and ,wilton's safety side-saddles1 may set her mind completely at rest as to the possibility of being hung up on the pommel1 or dragged by it or the stirrup4 ,perfect freedom in the saddle is secured to the rider1 that portion of the skirt which in the ordinary habit fits over the pommel1 always a source of danger1 being entirely dispensed with4 ,the ,zenith is made in two breadths or portions1 instead of three1 as heretofore1 and on one side this skirt is attached to the trousers at the side seam of the right leg1 or leg which passes over the pommel4 ,the skirt is then carried across or over both legs of the trousers in front1 and1 on the other side1 is brought round and attached to the leg seam of the left leg and to the seat seam1 both the trousers and the skirt being then secured to the waistband4 ,thus the rider1 as stated above1 has the pommel leg free to be readily disengaged from the pommel without the skirt catching thereon1 the right leg at the back being left uncovered by the skirt4 ,an opening formed on the left side of the skirt allows of the garment being readily put on4 ,the front draping of the skirt remains unaltered from the usual skirt1 but when seen from behind it presents the appearance of one leg covered1 the other uncovered4 ,when walking1 the back of the right trousers leg1 which is uncovered1 can be draped somewhat by the front of the skirt being lifted and brought round by the right hand4 ,there is nothing whatever in this invention to offend the most sensitive equestrienne1 nothing to hurt the proper feelings of the most modest4 ,if preferred1 the skirt may be provided on each side with a slit1 extending down from the knees1 so as to enable the wearer to readily use the skirt when wearing breeches or riding boots4 ,that such an enterprising firm as ,messrs4 ,redfern1 of ,paris1 should have secured the patent rights for ,france1 speaks volumes in favour of ,mr4 ,shingleton's really admirable invention4 ,except for summer wear in early morning or in the country1 and in the case of young girls1 when grey is permissible1 the habit should be made of some dark cloth4 ,in the hunting-field1 on which subject ,i am not touching in this volume1 some ladies who go don pink1 those patronising the ,duke of ,beaufort's wearing the becoming livery of the ,badminton ,hunt1 than which nothing is more becoming4 ,diagonal ribbed cloths are much in vogue for skirts4 ,stout figures tone down the appearance of too great solidity and rotundity by wearing an adaptation of the military tunic4 ,the long jacket-body1 depicted in ,mr4 ,shingleton's sketch of the ,zenith1 is well suited to full figures4 ,waistcoats are all the rage1--blue bird's-eye1 plush-leather with pearl buttons1 kersey1 corduroy1 nankeen1 etc41 in endless variety1 and are very much in evidence1 as are shirt fronts1 high collars1 silk ties with sporting-pin a la cavaliere4 ,braiding or ornamentation is bad form2 no frilling1 no streamers are admissible2 everything1 to be in good taste1 ought to be of the very best1 without one inch of superfluous material1--severely simple4 ,in the ,park1 except for young ladies just entering on their teens1 or children1 the tall silk hat is de rigueur4 ,the present prevailing chimney-pot or stove-pipe model1 shaped something like the tompion of a gun1 is an unbecoming atrocity4 ,let us hope that fashion will soon revert to the broad curled brim bell-shaped ,hardwicke4 ,nothing is cheap that's bad1 and nothing detracts more from the general effect of a get-up than a bad hat4 ,so if my lady reader wants to be thoroughly well hatted1 let her go to ,ye ,hatterie1 #aje1 ,oxford ,street1 and be measured for one of ,mr4 ,heath's best4 ,it will last out two or three of other makers1 and having done duty one season in ,rotten ,row1 will look well later on in the wear-and-tear of the hunting field1 preserving its bright glossy brilliancy1 no matter what the weather be4 ,order a quilted silk lining in preference to a plain leather one1 and1 when being measured1 let the chevelure be compact and suited for riding4 ,a low-crowned hat is the best4 ,for young girls1 and out of the season1 riding melon-shaped or pot-hats of felt are useful and by no means unbecoming4 ,mr4 ,heath makes a speciality of these1 and has scores of different1 and more or less becoming1 styles to select from4 ,hats made to the shape of the head require no elastics to hold them on1 and are not the fruitful source of headache which ready-made misfits invariably are4 ,there is no objection to a grey felt with grey gauze veil in the summer1 but black with a black veil is in better taste4 ,anything in the way of colour1 other than grey1 or1 perhaps brown1 is inadmissible4 ,i am not sufficient of a ,monsieur ,mantalini to advise very minutely on such important points as the ladies' toilette1 as to what veils may or may not be worn1 but a visit to the ,park any morning or forenoon1 when ,london is in ,town1 will best decide4 ,for dusty roads gauze is essential4 ,of all abominations and sources of equestrian discomfort a badly built pair of riding-breeches are the worst4 ,no breeches1 pants1 or trousers can possibly sit well and give absolute comfort in the saddle without flexible hips and belt-band riding-drawers4 ,the best material1 and preferable to all silk1 is a blend of silk and cashmere1 which wears well1 is warm1 elastic1 of permanent elasticity1 can be worn with great comfort by the most sensitive1 and is not too expensive4 ,a habit should fit like a glove over the hips1 and the flexible-hip make of riding-drawers which ,i advocate1 aids in securing this moulding4 ,the fit of the breeches or pants1 especially that of the right leg1 at the inside of the knee1 should be particularly insisted upon4 ,first-class ladies' tailors generally have a model horse on which their customers can mount when trying on4 ,at ,messrs4 ,e4 ,tautz and ,sons' establishment1 where the rider can be accoutred to perfection1 ladies will find a competent assistant of their own sex1--a trained fitter--who will by careful measurement and subsequent trying on secure them against the galling miseries of badly cut and ill-fitting breeches4 ,materials of every description are available2 but if the fair reader will be advised by me1 she will select brown undressed deer-skin1 which is soft1 pliable1 and durable4 ,the waistbands and continuations are of strong twilled silk4 ,leggings are generally and preferably worn with the breeches1 and can be had in all shades of cloth to go with the habit4 ,for the colonies and ,india a new material1 known as ,dr4 ,lahmann's cotton-wool underclothing1 cannot be too highly commended4 ,in the gorgeous ,east1 of which abode of the sun ,i have had some experience1 between ,march and the latter days of ,october1 the thinnest animal-wool is unbearably warm1 and1 when prickly-heat is about1 absolutely unbearable1 the irritation produced by the two being1 ,i should imagine1 akin to that endured by the four-footed friend of man when suffering acutely from the mange4 ,moreover1 in the clutches of the ,indian dhobie 7washerman71 woollen materials rapidly shrink by degrees and become beautifully less1 when not knocked into holes1 and are converted into a species of felt4 ,this fabric is a new departure in the manufacture of cotton4 ,from first to last it is treated as wool1 is spun as wool1 and woven as wool1 and in my opinion is the best possible material for under wear in the tropics4 ,it is cool1 wears well1 washes well1 is warranted not to shrink1 does not irritate the most sensitive skin1 and1 being woven on circular knitting looms1 is peculiarly adapted for close-fitting riding-drawers and under-clothing generally4 ,it has the additional merits of having the appearance and colour of silk--a soft cream colour1--is entirely free from dressing1 and is moderate in price4 ,as this fabric 7porous1 knitted1 woven1 ribbed1 or double-ribbed7 is sold by the yard as well as made up into seamless pants1 jersies1 etc41 it is admirably suited to the make of flexible-hip and belt-band drawers referred to above4 ,i feel that in directing attention to this baumwoll 7tree wool7 clothing1 ,i am conferring a benefit on all ,europeans whose avocations keep them within the tropics1 and on those of them especially who are obliged to take constant and prolonged horse exercise4 ,it is to be obtained at the ,lahmann ,agency1 #ae1 ,fore ,street1 ,london1 ,e4,c4 ,the question of corsage is an all-important one1 as the fit of a garment depends largely on the shape of the corset4 ,for growing girls1 and especially for such as are at all delicate and outgrowing their strength1 the ,invigorator corset is the least objectionable ,i have yet seen4 ,that it has the approval of the faculty is in its favour4 ,it may be described as a corset in combination with a chest-expanding brace1 and as such corrects the habit of stooping1 and by expanding the chest flattens the back and keeps the shoulder-blades in their right place4 ,speaking as an ex-adjutant1 who has had a good deal of experience in setting-up-drills1 it in my opinion possesses for young people merits far superior to anything of the kind yet brought out4 ,it gives support where most wanted without impeding the freedom of the movements of the body2 its elasticity is such that respiration and circulation are not interfered with2 the chest is thrown out1 the back straightened1 preserving an erect figure--the body being kept erect by the cross-straps at the back2 it is comfortable to the wearer1 and there is no undue pressure anywhere4 ,a riding-stay to be perfect should be as light as possible1 consistent with due support1 boned throughout with real whalebone1 so as to be capable of being bent and twisted without fear of broken busks1 and should fit the figure--not the figure fit it--with glove-like accuracy4 ,such supple corsets give perfect ease with freedom4 ,the best special maker of riding-corsets for ladies is ,madame ,festa1 #ac1 ,carlos ,street1 ,grosvenor ,square1 ,london1 ,w4 ,this artiste's productions combine all that is necessary in material and workmanship1 with perfect fit1 ease1 and grace4 ,a combination of silk elastic and coutil is said to be the ideal material from which really comfortable corsets are made4 ,for winter work they should be lined with a pure natural woollen stuff as soft as a ,chuddah shawl4 ,for tropical climates ,grass-cloth or ,nettle-cloth is strongly recommended4 ,in this humid1 uncertain climate of ours the rider will generally find some sort of light and short waterproof a great comfort4 ,it should be sufficiently long to clear the saddle1 and of a material such as will permit of its being rolled up into a small compass for attachment to the ,ds of the saddle4 ,messrs4 ,lewin and ,co41 #bh1 ,cockspur ,street1 ,s4,w4 7successors to the old established firm ,bax and ,co471 makers of the ,selby driving-coat1 turn out some very neat waterproof tweed or drab garments1 which are appropriate and serviceable4 ,their designs are good1 and the material thoroughly to be relied upon4 ,well fitting1 or in other words1 tight gloves1 of course1 look very well1 but horsewomen must preserve free use of their hands4 ,lightness of hand is an essential1 but a certain amount of physical strength cannot be dispensed with1 and a tight glove1 even of the best quality of kid1 means a cramped contraction of the hand and fingers with consequent loss of power4 ,the material1 so long as it be stout enough1 may be of real buck-skin1 stout ,suede1 dog's-skin1 so called1 or ,cape4 ,the best real buck-skin hunting1 driving1 and walking-gloves1 for either ladies or gentlemen1 ,i have ever come across1 are those manufactured by ,t4 ,p4 ,lee and ,co41 #bd1 ,duke ,street1 ,bloomsbury4 ,they are of first-class soft material1 well cut1 hand-sewn with waxed brown thread1 and very durable2 in fact1 everlasting1 and most comfortable wear4 ,a neat1 light hunting-crop1 riding-cane1 or whip without a tassel1 are indispensable4 ,the following is a comfortable and serviceable riding-dress for long country rides1 picnics1 etc41 recommended by a lady who can boast of considerable experience in the saddle both at home and in the colonies--one of a riding family4 ,habit--a short hunting-skirt1 short enough to walk in with comfort1 with jacket 7,norfolk87 of the same material1 made loose enough to admit of jersey being worn under it1 if required2 a wide leather belt for the waist1 fastening with a buckle4 ,this belt will be found a great comfort and support when on horseback for many hours4 ,hat of soft felt1 or melon-shaped hat4 ,pantaloons of chamois leather1 buttoning close to the ankles4 ,hussar or ,wellington boots made of ,peel leather1 with moderate-sized heels1 tipped with brass1 and soles strong but not thick4 ,a leather stud should be sewn on the left boot1 about two and a half inches above the heel1 on which stud the spur should rest1 and thus be kept in its place without tight buckling4 ,the spur found to be the most useful after a trial of many is a rowel spur of plated steel 7the flat tapered-side1 elastic1 five-pointed hunting71 about two to two and a half inches long1 strong and light1 hunting shape1 and fastened with a strap and buckle1 the foot-strap of plated steel chain4 ,this chain foot-strap looks neater than a leather one1 and does not become cut or worn out when on foot on rough1 rocky ground4 ,the rowel pin is a screw-pin2 thus the rowel can be changed at pleasure1 and a sharp or blunt one fitted as required by the horse one rides4 ,in lieu of chamois leather ,i would suggest undressed deer-skin1 as supplied by ,messrs4 ,e4 ,tautz and ,sons1 #dhe1 ,oxford ,street1 ,london1 which is as soft as velvet1 and needs no additional lining1 so apt to crease4 ,and instead of the boots ,i recommend waterproofed ,russia leather or brown hide1 such as men use for polo1 as manufactured by ,faulkner1 #eb1 ,south ,molton ,street1 ,london1 ,w41 with low1 flat heels tipped with mild steel4 ,the lady's idea1 except with regard to the interchangeable rowel1 the pin of which must work loose1 is good4 ,this brings me to the much-vexed subject of the ,spur1 its use and abuse4 ,ladies should not be mounted on horses requiring severe punishment2 but there are occasions1 oft and many1 when a reminder from a sharp-pointed rowel will prove of service4 ,i do not say that lady riders should always wear a persuader2 on a free-going1 generous horse it would be out of place1 irritating1 and annoying2 but on a lymphatic slug1 or in the case of a display of temper1 the armed heel is most necessary4 ,we must bear in mind that almost all of the highest priced ladies' horses have been broken in to carry a lady by professional lady-riders1 one and all of whom wear spurs4 ,many a horse1 in the canter especially1 will not go up to his bit without an occasional slight prick4 ,women are by nature supposed to be gentle and kindly1 and yet ,i know some who are everlastingly rugging at their horse's mouths and digging in the spur4 ,they would use the whip also as severely as the ,latchfords but for the exhibition it would entail4 ,when punishment must be inflicted1 the spur as a corrective is far more effective than the whip2 it acts instantaneously1 without warning1 and the horse cannot see it coming and swerve from it4 ,though more dreaded it inflicts the lesser pain of the two4 ,the deepest dig from the rowel will not leave behind it the smart of the weal from a cutting whip4 ,the best spur for ladies is the one mentioned above1 with fine-pointed rowel2 it does not tear the habit1 and the points are long enough and sharp enough to penetrate through the cloth should it intervene between the heel and the horse's side4 ,no lady should venture to wear a spur till she has acquired firmness of seat1 to keep her left leg steady in the stirrup and her heel from constantly niggling the animal's ribs4 ,i do not like the spring-sheath one-point spur1 as it is uncertain in its action4 ,,chapter ,,vi4 ,a ,,la ,,cavaliere4 ,much of late has been said and written against and in favour of cross-saddle riding for girls and women4 ,a lady at my elbow has just given her emphatic opinion that it is neither graceful nor modest1 and she predicts that the system will never come into vogue or meet the approval of the finer sense of women4 ,the riding-masters are against it to a man1 and so are the saddlers1 who argue that the change would somewhat militate against their business4 ,we are very conservative in our ideas1 and perhaps it is asking too much of women1 who have ridden and hunted in a habit on a side-saddle for years1 to all at once1 or at all1 accept and patronize the innovation4 ,travellers notice the fact that women never ride sideways1 as with us1 but astride1 like men4 ,it has generally been supposed that the custom now prevailing in ,europe and ,north ,america dates back only to the ,middle ,ages4 ,as a fact1 the side-saddle was first introduced here by ,anne of ,luxembourg1 ,richard ,,ii4's queen1 and so far back as #acda1 according to ,knighton1 it had become general among ladies of first rank at tournaments and in public4 ,but the system must have prevailed to some extent in far earlier times1 for ,rawlinson discovered a picture of two ,assyrian women riding sideways on a mule1 and on ,etruscan vases1 older than the founding of ,rome1 are several representations of women so seated4 ,there were no horses in ,mexico prior to the advent of the ,spaniards2 indeed1 from the progeny of one ,andalusian horse and mare1 shipped to ,paraguay in #aece1 were bred those countless mobs which have since spread over the whole southern part of the new ,western world1 and1 passing the ,isthmus of ,darien or ,panama1 have wandered into ,north ,america4 ,in the great plains of ,south ,america1 where the inhabitants1 all more or less with ,spanish blood pulsing through their veins1 may be said to live on horseback1 it is strange that1 without some good cause1 the side-saddle should have been discarded for the ,pisana fashion--the lady riding in front of her cavalier4 ,in ,edward ,i4's time our fair dames jogged behind their lords1 or behind somebody else's lords1 in the conventional pillion3 then ,this riding double was no crime ,in the first good ,edward's time2 ,no brave man thought himself disgraced ,by two fair arms around his waist2 ,nor did the lady blush vermillion ,dancing on the lady's pillion4 ,the attitude of the ,pisana fashion1 though in some cases vastly agreeable1 is not highly picturesque1 so there must have been some valid reason why the side-saddle1 then in general use in ,spain1 fell out of favour4 ,in long rides1 it1 as at that time constructed1 tired the rider1 and caused severe pain in the spine4 ,nowadays in ,mexico and on the ,plate ,river there are magnificent horsewomen who can ride almost anything short of an ,australian buckjumper1 and who never tire in the saddle1 but then they one and all patronize the cross-saddle1 riding a la cavaliere or a la ,duchesse de ,berri4 ,their riding garb1 and a very becoming one it is1 consists of a loose kind of ,norfolk jacket or tunic secured at the waist by a belt1 loose ,turkish pyjamas thrust into riding boots of soft yellow leather1 a huge pair of ,mexican spurs1 and the ladies' sombrero4 ,their favourite and1 in fact1 only pace is a continuous hand-gallop4 ,some thirty years ago ,i remember seeing the ex-,queen of ,naples superbly mounted1 riding a la cavaliere4 ,her ,majesty was then even more beautiful than her ,imperial sister the ,empress of ,austria1 and quite as finished a horsewoman4 ,she wore a high and pointed-crowned felt hat1 a long white cloak1 something like the ,algerian bournouse1 patent-leather jack-boots1 and gilt spurs4 ,her seat was perfect1 as was her management of her fiery ,arab or ,barb1 the effect charming1 and there was nothing to raise the faintest suspicion of a blush on the cheeks of the most modest4 ,there is no doubt that the ,duchess de ,berri mode of sitting on a horse is much less fatiguing to the rider1 gives her more power over the half-broken animals that in foreign countries do duty for ladies' horses1 and1 in a very great measure1 does away with the chance of establishing a raw on the back4 ,in support of the claims of this1 to us1 novel manner of placing the rider on her horse's back1 ,i quote from ,miss ,isabella ,bird's ,hawaiian ,archipelago4 ,describing her visit to the ,anuenue ,falls1 that lady writes3 ,the ride was spoiled by my insecure seat in my saddle1 and the increased pain in my side which riding produced4 ,once1 in crossing a stream1 the horses had to make a sort of downward jump from a rock1 and ,i slipped round my horse's neck2 indeed1 on the way back ,i felt that1 on the ground of health1 ,i must give up the volcano1 as ,i would never consent to be carried to it1 like ,lady ,franklin1 in a litter4 ,when we returned1 ,mr4 ,severance suggested that it would be much better for me to follow the ,hawaiian fashion1 and ride astride1 and put his saddle on the horse4 ,it was only my strong desire to see the volcano which made me consent to a mode of riding against which ,i have a strong prejudice2 but the result of the experiment is that ,i shall visit ,kilauea thus or not at all4 ,the native women all ride astride on ordinary occasions in the full sacks1 or kolukus1 and on gala days in the pan--the gay winged dress which ,i described in writing from ,honolulu4 ,a great many of the foreign ladies in ,hawaii have adopted the ,mexican saddle also for greater security to themselves and ease to their horses on the steep and perilous bridle-tracks1 but they wear full ,turkish trousers and jauntily made dresses reaching to the ankles4 ,writing later from the ,colorado district of the ,rockies1 ,miss ,bird adds3 ,i rode sidewise till ,i was well out of the town1 long enough to produce a severe pain in my spine1 which was not relieved for some time till after ,i had changed my position4 ,mrs4 ,power ,o',donoghue runs a tilt with all her might against the idea of any of her sex riding like men4 ,but there are so many manly maidens about now who excel in all open-air pastimes requiring pluck1 energy1 physical activity1 and strength1 and who attire themselves suitably in a sort of semi-masculine style1 that is not asking too much of them to try the virtues of the cross-saddle4 ,their costumes are not so much neglige as studiedly1 so far as is possible without exactly wearing the breeches in public1 of the man1 manly4 ,one of our ,princesses has the credit of being an adept with the foils2 our cricket and golf fields are invaded by petticoats of various lengths2 we see polo played by ladies on clever blood ponies2 they take kindly to billiards and lawn-tennis2 and it is whispered of a few that they can put on the mittens and take and give punishment4 ,it is not so much the prudery about sitting like men that excites the wrathful indignation of the opponents of cross-saddle riding as the apparent difficulty of deciding upon the thoroughly neat and workwoman-like costume4 ,illustration3 ,no4 #a4 ,no4 #b4 ,no4 #c4 ,the three different costumes represented in these sketches do not differ very greatly in propriety4 ,shorten ,no4 #c1 the ,eilitto ,muddy-,weather costume--who says there's nothing in a name8--just a trifle and encase the wearer's lower limbs in a pair of ,messes ,e4 ,tautz and ,son's gaiters or leggings1 and we have the costume sported the winter before last by a well known lady4 ,it certainly looked1 on a wearer of advanced years1 a trifle eccentric1 but any pretty girl1 in her premiere jeunesse1 blessed with a good figure and gait1 would have been the admired of all admirers4 ,this costume with the funny name is much patronized by lawn-tennis players1 golfers1 and skaters4 ,nos4 #a and #b are as like as two ,dromios1 and in no very material degree differ from the short-skirted walking-dress4 ,they have been brought out with an eye to riding a la cavaliere1 and being strong and yet neat are intended for prairie-riding in the far ,west1 for the rough-and-ready work of the ,australian or ,new ,zealand bush1 and for scouring over the veldt of ,south ,africa1 or for the hundred and one out-of-the-way places of the earth1 whither our ,english girls venture1 from necessity1 for adventure1 or some more potent attraction4 ,of the two ,i prefer ,no4 #a1 which is the smarter4 ,it is nothing more or less than a short habit made in the shape of a frock-coat1 and is buttoned the whole way down to the knees4 ,the long boots1 which1 by the way1 show off a pretty well-turned ankle and foot to perfection1 are certainly a trifle more in evidence than is the case when the lady wears the regular habit and is desirous of showing as little leg as possible--a desire1 when the foot is threes or narrow fours1 and the instep well sprung1 not too often indulged4 ,no #b has a divided skirt4 ,i do not ask ladies of mature age1 or even those whose seat is formed1 to don one or other of these costumes1 though1 after the experience of ,miss ,bird and others1 they might1 under similar circumstances1 adopt both the costume1 and the cross-saddle with advantage4 ,in the backwoods and jungles a wide latitude in dress may be permitted without assailing the strictest modesty4 ,the fashion of riding in the cross-saddle1 if it is to be introduced1 as it ought to be1 must emanate from the rising generation4 ,the luxury of having both feet in the stirrups1 of being able to vary the length of the leather1 of having a leg down either side of the horse1 and a distribution of the bearing equally on each foot1 is surely worthy of consideration when many hours have to be spent in the saddle and long weary distances travelled4 ,if agreeable to the rider1 how much more so to the horse8 ,we men know what a relief it is on a long journey to vary the monotonous walk or the wearying trot with an occasioned hard gallop up in the stirrups1 or how it eases one to draw the feet out of the stirrups and let the legs hang free4 ,i have already hazarded the opinion that a lady's seat on a side-saddle is a very firm one1 but when she is called upon to ride half-broken horses and to be on their backs for hours at a time1 traversing all sorts of country1 she undoubtedly is heavily handicapped as compared with a man4 ,mrs4 ,o',donoghue1 much to the damage of her own contention1 so clearly demonstrates my views that ,i venture to quote verbatim from one of that lady's published letters4 ,my companion was in ease while ,i was in torture4 ,because he had a leg on either side of his mount1 his weight equally distributed1 and an equal support upon both sides2 in fact he had1 as all male riders have1 the advantage of a double support in the rise2 consequently1 at the moment his weight was removed from the saddle1 it was thrown upon both sides1 and this equal distribution enabled him to accomplish without fatigue that slow rise and fall which is so tiring to a lady whose weight1 when she is out of the saddle1 is thrown entirely upon one delicate limb1 thus inducing her to fall again as soon as possible4 ,as for mere grip--the upright and leaping-heads versus both knees--the security in either case is about the same1 but the woman's position in the side-saddle is the more tiring and cramping of the two1 and in complete control over the horse1 the man's position on the horse has a very decided advantage4 ,,appendix ,i4 ,,the ,,training ,,of ,,ponies ,,for ,,children4 ,we will take it for granted that the colt1 say a three or four year old1 is well accustomed to the restraint of the common halter1 and is obedient to the cavesson on both sides1 also that he leads quietly and bears a fair amount of handling4 ,were ,i permitted to explain the ,galvayne system1 ,i could1 in a very few pages1 save the breaker and the colt much time1 trouble1 and many trials of temper and patience4 ,i have not the professor's permission to make the tempting disclosures4 ,without trenching on his domain1 ,i may lay down the following rough-and-ready modus operandi1 which1 however1 ,i am free to confess would be considerably facilitated by a set of his breaking tackle1 especially of a particular rope1 not made of any vegetable fibre1 which1 in some cases1 exercises a potential control4 ,we must just gang our ain gait as my countrymen say4 ,having fitted the colt with a soft-lined head-collar-bridle1 of the ,australian bush pattern1 with strong hooks or straps by which to attach the bit1 ,i proceed to bit him4 ,the bit should be on the flexible principle1 the mouth-piece being either of chain or a series of ball and socket sections1 covered over with white and tasteless rubber1 or other soft and yielding material4 ,it should be no thicker than a man's little finger4 ,inside the cheek and leg of this snaffle ,i have a large flat disc of sole leather1 rounded at the edges1 stitched as a guard to prevent the possibility of the bit being drawn through the mouth1 of pinching the cheeks against the teeth or in any way injuring the mouth4 ,every bit1 no matter how merciful1 will1 more or less1 make the bars of the mouth tender1 but this least of all4 ,if any suffering is evident1 or any inflammation set up1 then the use of the bit must1 till all appearance of undue redness has disappeared1 be discontinued4 ,a little tincture of myrrh with eau-de-cologne applied with the fore finger will soon allay the irritation and remove the tenderness4 ,the best way to insert the bit is1 having fixed the near ring to the spring hook or strap on the near side of the head-collar1 then coming round to the off side of the head1 gentling the pony's head all the time and soothing him1 to quietly work the two fore fingers of the left hand into his mouth1 and on an opportunity offering1 to slip the bit quickly into the mouth4 ,this must be done deftly1 without alarming the pony1 for if the first attempt result in failure he is certain to throw up his head1 run back1 and otherwise thwart subsequent endeavours4 ,a little treacle smeared on the bit will make it more palatable and inviting4 ,the first time the bit is in the colt's mouth it should not be allowed to remain more than an hour1 and his head must be entirely without restraint4 ,on removing it examine the mouth to see that it has not been injured or bruised1 and give him a carrot1 or apple4 ,it is immaterial whether these bitting lessons be given in a roomy loose-box1 barn1 covered-yard1 or small paddock4 ,after becoming reconciled to the bit1 strap on a roller or surcingle1 having two side and one top ring stitched on to it1 the side rings being placed horizontally about where the rider's knees would come1 that on the top fore-and-aft4 ,through these three rings a strong cord should be run forming a sort of running rein1 tie the cord to the off-ring of the snaffle1 bring it back through the off-side ring1 up and through the top ring on the back1 down through that on the near side1 and so on forward to the near ring of the bit to which it is fastened with a slip knot1 taking care that though a slight bearing be upon the bars of the mouth1 the colt's head is not tightly reined in and an irksome continuous strain kept on a certain set of muscles of the neck4 ,this running-rein arrangement admits of lateral play of the head1 and minimizes the possibility of creating a one-sided mouth4 ,after a few short lessons in lounging on both sides with his head thus restrained1 he may be made to stand in stall with his hindquarters to the manger1 the reins being fastened to the post on either side4 ,if the stall1 as probably will be the case1 be too wide1 narrow it by placing sheep hurdles laced with straw on either side of him1 so narrowing his standing room that he must preserve a fair fore and aft position4 ,the reins must be1 if the pillars are too high1 fastened to the three rings on the surcingle as explained above4 ,in addition to the single reins there must also be driving reins or cords1 carefully adjusted as to length1 so as to preserve an even pressure on either side of the mouth1 attached to the rings on the manger1 so that any attempt to advance is immediately curbed by the strain on the bit4 ,these lessons should not extend over more than an hour at a time1 and during them the trainer should occasionally1 by taking the bit in both hands on either side facing him1 or by laying hold of the long reins1 cause him1 exercising only gentle pressure1 to rein back1 saying at the same time in a tone of quiet command1 back4 ,there will be plenty of room for this in a full-sized stall4 ,he may also be taught to bend his head to the right when the off-rein is pulled upon or even twitched1 and so on with the left4 ,the instructor's aim must be to instil into his mind the firm conviction that it is as impossible to resist the pressure of the bit on either side of the mouth as it is to advance against it4 ,extreme kindness and gentleness must be exercised in this initial training1 each compliance with the teacher's hand and voice being at once met with some encouragement or reward1 in shape of a word or two of soothing approval1 gentling his head1 and a few oats or pieces of carrot or apple--in the tropics sugar-cane or carrot--the bit being removed from the mouth for the purpose4 ,horses of all sorts are very quick in their likes and dislikes4 ,from the start never let the colt take a dead pull at the reins1 let all the pressures be exerted in a light feeling manner with the fingers not the hands4 ,on becoming fairly proficient at his indoor lesson1 we will now1 with his ,australian bush pattern head-collar-bridle on1 a pair of long reins run from the snaffle through the side rings of the surcingle back into the trainer's hands1 who will walk behind him1 and led by a leading rein attached to the near side of the head-collar but wholly unconnected with the bit1 take him into a quiet yard or paddock4 ,he has now to be taught to stop1 back1 and turn to his bit4 ,the control exercised by the assistant holding the leading rein just suffices to prevent the colt rushing about1 or under sudden alarm running back2 he will also1 though giving him a perfectly free rein1 be sufficiently close to his head to aid him in obeying the mandates of the trainer4 ,after walking about as quietly as possible for some time1 teaching him how to incline and turn1 the feel on the mouth with a moderately tight rein being carefully preserved1 he will be on the word ,whoa6 brought to a stand still1 and made to stand still and motionless as a well-trained charger on parade4 ,in the lessons on turning1 he may if needful be touched with the whip1 only if needful1 and then the lash should fall as lightly as the fly from some expert fisherman's rod1 the touch of the silk or whip-cord coming simultaneously with the touch on the bars of the mouth4 ,for instance1 he is required to turn to the right and hangs a bit on the rein without answering the helm1 then a slight touch on the near shoulder will send him up to his bit1 give him an inclination to turn smartly in the direction wished for1 and the movement may be hastened by the point of the whip being pressed against the off buttock1 or upper thigh on the outside4 ,the pull must not be a jerk but a decided lively pull4 ,always let him go forward as much as space will permit of before making another turn2 he must not be confused and so provoked to be stubborn or fight4 ,let all the turns be to one hand for the first few minutes then turn him in the reverse direction4 ,should he get his head down and endeavour to establish a steady dead pull1 do not indulge him1 but step in closer to his quarters so that the strain is at once off the reins1 and the moment that he once more feels his bit instantly make him come to a full halt with the word ,whoa4 ,to make a horse stand after being halted1 the ,arabs throw the bridle over his head and let the rein drag on the ground4 ,when the colt is being broken the bridle is thus left hanging down between his fore legs1 and a slave gives it a sharp jerk whenever a step in advance is taken4 ,by this means the horse is duped into the delusion that the pain inflicted on his mouth or nose is caused by his moving while the rein is in this pendant position4 ,what is taught in the desert may be taught in the paddock4 ,the slightest attempt to move forward without the click must at once be stopped4 ,the backing lesson is1 as a rule1 a very simple one1 though there are some horses which decline to adopt this retrograde motion4 ,to rein back1 the trainer1 standing immediately behind the colt1 either exerts an even and smart pressure on both reins1 drawing them1 if need be1 through the mouth1 when the horse will first bend himself getting his head in handsomely and then begin to step back4 ,at first he will be perhaps1 a little awkward1 but will soon learn to use his hocks and to adopt this strange gait4 ,if there be any difficulty about getting his head in--it must not be up and out with the bit in the angles of the mouth--the assistant should place the flat of his hand on the animal's face pressing its heel firmly on the cartilage of the nose4 ,the backward movement must cease on the word ,whoa6 and the relaxation of the rein4 ,a horse must not be taught to run back1 some acquire the bad habit too readily to a dangerous extent4 ,i may here say that when a horse is given to this vice the best plan is to turn him at once and sharply in the direction he wants to go4 ,in tuition what we want to arrive at is a sort of military two paces step back1 march6 ,in these introductory lessons the main use of the assistant with his loose yet ready leading rein is to prevent the colt from turning suddenly round and facing the trainer1 a contretemps with a ,galvayne's tackle next to impossible4 ,reins should not1 however1 be tried at all till the lessons in the loose box and in the stall are so well learnt that there is little or no fear of sudden fright1 ebullitions of temper1 or other causes of disarrangement and entanglement of the long driving reins4 ,when the habit of yielding to the indication of the rein has once been acquired and well established1 it becomes a sort of second nature1 which under no circumstances1 save those of panic or confirmed bolting1 is ever forgotten4 ,a few lessons carefully1 firmly1 patiently1 and completely given will cause the colt to answer the almost imperceptible touch of the rein or the distinct word of command4 ,once perfected in answering the various signals at the walk1 he is then put through precisely the same movements at a trot1 and to be an effective teacher1 the breaker must not only be a good runner1 but in good wind1 he must be active enough to show such a horse as ,beau ,lyons at the ,hackney ,show at ,islington4 ,a pony such as is ,norfolk ,model1 one a hand higher and of a very different stamp1 it is true1 from what ,i commend for children1 would make a crack sprinter put forth his best pace4 ,during the time the pony is acquiring the ,a ,b ,c or rudiments of his education1 he must be frequently and carefully handled4 ,every effort should be made to gain his confidence4 ,like all beasts of the field the speediest and surest way to his affection is down his throat2 he is imbued with a large share of cupboard love1 so the trainer should always have some tit-bit in his pocket wherewith to reward good behaviour and progress made2 moreover1 the pupil should be aware of the existence and whereabouts of this store-room4 ,the handling must be general4 ,rub the head well over with the hands1 always working with1 and never against the run of the hair4 ,pull his ears gently 7never pull the long hair out from the inside7 rub the roots1 the eyes and muzzle1 work back from the ears down the neck and fore legs1 between the fore legs1 at the back of the elbows1 and along the back1 talking to him all the while4 ,before going to the flanks and hind quarters make him lift both fore feet4 ,if there be any disinclination to obey1 a strap should be wound round the fetlock joint1 the trainer then taking a firm hold of the ends in his right hand says in a loud voice ,hold up6 at the same time with the palm of the left hand1 throwing a portion of his weight on to the near shoulder2 this1 by throwing the animal's weight over on to the offside1 enables the foot to be easily held up4 ,this lesson imparted1 it is extended to the off fore foot4 ,should the colt1 by laying back his ears1 showing the whites of his eyes1 hugging his tail1 and other demonstrations of wickedness1 evince his objections to being handled behind the girth1 one of the fore feet must be held up and strapped1 the buckle of the strap being on the outside of the arm1 the foot brought so close to the point of the elbow that no play is left to the knee joint4 ,then commence to wisp him all over commencing with the head1 but1 if he is not very restive1 do not keep the weight on three legs more than ten minutes at a time1 though he1 if not overburdened with fat1 could easily stand very much longer1 or travel a mile or so on three legs4 ,the object1 unless vice be displayed1 is merely to prevent serious resistance and to convince him that the operation causes no pain4 ,the wisp1 the assistant all the time standing at his head speaking in low reassuring tone1 patting and caressing him1 in the hands of the operator should be at first very gently then briskly applied to the flanks1 over the loins1 down the quarters and along the channel running between the buttocks1 inside the flanks1 stifles and haunches1 over the sheath1 down inside the hocks1 in fact anywhere and everywhere known to be tender and kittle4 ,having succeeded with the near fore foot up1 release it1 let him rest awhile and find his way to the store-room dainties4 ,go through precisely the same lesson with the right foot up1 on this occasion giving special attention to those parts which he most strongly objects to being handled4 ,dwell over his hocks and the inside of his stifles1 handle his tail1 freely sponging his dock out1 running the sponge down through the channel over the sheath1 the inside of the thighs and hocks4 ,release the fore foot1 and if he will stand a repetition of all these liberties quietly1 he has learnt one important part of his education4 ,elsewhere ,i have endeavoured to describe the unsophisticated antics displayed by the fresh-caught ,australian buck-jumper and the inveterate plunger in endeavouring to dislocate their riders4 ,in the one case it is the untaught1 unpractised effort of an animal in a paroxysm of fear2 in the other the vice of the artful1 tricky1 practitioner4 ,in either case the horseman may be1 very often is1 slung handsomely1 wondering1 as he picks himself up1 dazed and bewildered with an incoherent idea as to what had befallen him1 and how he got there4 ,if a wild horse suddenly finds a panther or a tiger on his back1 he at once1 in terror1 endeavours by a succession of flings to get rid of the incubus4 ,so it is with the unbroken colt bred in captivity1 and especially so with the pony fresh from his native hills or pastures4 ,what must be his astonishment when1 for the first time he feels a saddle tightly girthed to his back1 and the weight of some one in it8 ,his first and only feeling is that of fear1 so1 being prevented by the bit and bridle from rushing off at the verge of his speed1 he by bucks1 plunges1 and kicks1 sets to work to throw the rider4 ,in mounting the colt the first attempts at making him quite quiet during the process should be in the direction of eliminating every sense of fear4 ,as saddles1 especially if badly stuffed and cold1 are the cause of many back troubles1 ,i prefer to have him1 in the first instance1 ridden in a rug or sheepskin1 the wool next his hair1 kept in its place by a broad web surcingle4 ,hold the rug or skin to his nose1 and let him smell and feel it1 rub it over his head1 down his neck1 in fact all over him1 not neatly folded up but loose2 toss it about1 drag it over him1 round him1 between his fore legs1 under his belly1 and out between his thighs4 ,when he takes no heed of it1 fold it up on his back and girth it on with the surcingle4 ,then lead him out for half an hour or so occasionally1 pulling up to lean a good bit of weight on his back4 ,on returning to the loose box1 covered yard1 or paddock1 the first lesson in mounting will be commenced4 ,having secured the services of some active smart lad who can ride and vault1 the lighter the better1 make him stand on a mounting block1 an inverted empty wine chest will do1 placed near his fore leg4 ,if the pony be nervous at this block1 let him examine it1 smell it1 touch it1 and even eat a few carrots off it4 ,standing on this coign of advantage1 the lad must loll over him1 patting him1 reaching down well on the off side1 leaning at first a portion1 and then his whole weight on him4 ,if he makes no objection to this treatment1 the lad should seat himself on his back1 mounting and dismounting repeatedly1 slowly but neatly1 being careful not to descend on his back with a jerk4 ,so long as the colt shows no fear1 this gymnastic practice may be varied with advantage to almost any extent1 the contact of the gymnast's body with that of the pony being as close as possible4 ,he should not only vault all over him and straddle him1 but should crawl and creep all over him and under him1 winding up by vaulting on his back1 over his head1 and over his quarters4 ,i have frequently taught ,arabs to put their heads between my legs and by the sudden throw-up of their necks to send me into the saddle face to the tail4 ,on no account hurry this mounting practice1 do not let him be flustered or fatigued1 and see that the rider's foot deftly clears him without once touching or kicking him2 much depends on the clean manner in which the various mountings and dismountings are performed4 ,the mounting block will be dispensed with so soon as the rider is permitted to throw his right leg over his back and to straddle him without starting4 ,it is essential that he should stand stock still and that he should not move forward without the usual klick4 ,when quite patient and steady in being mounted with the rug or fleece1 a nice light #e lb4 polo or racing saddle with a ,humane numnah under it should be substituted1 and if the pony's shoulders are low and upright a crupper will be necessary4 ,care must be taken that the crupper strap is not too tight1 also that the crupper itself does not produce a scald under the dock of the tail2 a strip of lamb-skin1 the wool next the dock1 will ensure that4 ,after being led about in the saddle for a time1 he is brought into the box or yard and there mounted by the lad1 the trainer having hold of the leading rein1 the rider of the bridle4 ,now a word as to the said lad4 ,all he has to do is to preserve the lightest possible touch of the mouth1 and to sit firm and sit quiet4 ,i would rather prefer that he did not hail from a racing stable1 for these imps--the most mischievous of their race--are up to all sorts of tricks and are accustomed to ride trusting almost entirely to the support gained from their knotted bridle and the steady pressure against the stirrup somewhat after the principle of the coachman and his foot-board4 ,he must be forced to keep his heels and his ashplant quiet4 ,i am averse to much lounging and am confident it is overdone4 ,on carrying the lad quietly led by hand1 the following lessons should be in company with some staid old stager4 ,markedly gregarious in his habits1 the horse never feels so happy or contended as when in company2 in the society of a well-behaved tractable member of his family he will do all that is required of him4 ,soon the leading rein will be superfluous and the pony and his rider will be able to go anywhere at any pace4 ,it is especially advisable that when his first rides lie away from home he should be ridden in company with some other horse1 or he may turn restive4 ,be very careful not to attempt anything with him that may lead up to a fight in which he may remain master4 ,any disposition on his part to reest or to break out into rebellion is proof of his not having learnt his first lessons properly4 ,far better to lead him away from home for a mile or two and then to mount him1 than to hazard any difference of opinion4 ,the example of a well-broken1 well-ridden1 well-mannered horse is very important4 ,one act of successful disobedience may undo the careful labour of weeks and necessitate very stringent measures1 such as those described in my previous volume1 in the case of confirmed vice4 ,weeks of careful riding always under the trainer's eye1 will be required before the lessons are complete1 and the pupil sobered down so as to be a safe and comfortable conveyance for children beginners4 ,,appendix ,,ii4 ,,extension ,,and ,,balance ,,motions4 ,the following are adapted as closely as possible from the carefully thought-out system of ,military ,equitation practised in the ,british ,army1 and may be executed as follows3-- ,prepare for ,extension and ,balance ,motions4--,on this caution each rider will turn his horse facing the ,instructor1 drop the reins on the horse's neck1 and let both arms hang down easily from the shoulders1 with the palms of the hands to the front4 ,this is the position of ,attention4 ,,caution4--,first ,practice4 ,on the word ,one bring the hands1 at the full extent of the arms1 to the front1 close to the body1 knuckles downwards till the fingers meet at the ,,one points2 then raise in a circular direction over the head1 the ends of the fingers still touching and pointing downwards so as to touch the forehead1 thumbs pointing to the rear1 elbows pressed back1 shoulders kept well down4 ,on the word ,two1 throw the hands up1 extending the arms smartly upwards1 palms of the hands inwards2 then force them obliquely back1 and ,,two gradually let them fall to the position of ,attention1 the first position1 elevating the neck and chest as much as possible4 ,n4,b4--,the foregoing motions are to be done slowly1 so that the muscles may be fully exerted throughout4 ,no stirrup is to be used4 ,,caution4--,second ,practice4 ,on the word ,one raise the hands in front of the ,,one body1 at the full extent of the arms1 and in a line with the mouth1 palms meeting1 but without noise1 thumbs close to the forefingers4 ,on the word ,two1 separate the hands smartly1 ,,two throwing them well back1 slanting downwards1 palms turned slightly upward4 ,on the word ,one1 resume the first position above ,,one described1 and so on1 sitting down on the saddle ,,two without any attempt1 in resuming the first position1 to rise4 ,,three ,on the word ,three1 smartly resume the position of ,attention4 ,in this practice the second motion may be continued without repeating the words ,one1 ,two1 by giving the order ,continue the ,motion3 on the word ,steady1 the second position is at once resumed1 the rider remaining in that position1 head well up1 chin in1 and chest thrown out1 on the word ,three1 resuming the position of ,attention4 ,,caution4--,third ,practice4 ,on the word ,one1 raise the hands1 with the fists ,,one clenched1 in front of the body1 at the full extent of the arms1 and in line with the mouth1 thumbs upwards1 fingers touching4 ,on the word ,two1 separate the hands smartly1 ,,two throwing the arms back in line with the shoulders1 back of the hands downwards4 ,,three ,on the word ,three1 swing the arms round as quickly as possible from front to rear4 ,,steady ,on the word ,steady1 resume the second position4 ,,four ,on the word ,four1 let the arms fall smartly to the position of ,attention4 ,,caution4--,fourth ,practice4 ,on the word ,one1 lean back until the back of ,,one the head touches the horse's quarter1 but moving the legs as little as possible4 ,,two ,on the word ,two1 resume the original position4 ,,caution4--,fifth ,practice4 ,on the word ,one1 lean down to the left side and ,,one touch the left foot with the left hand without1 however1 drawing up the foot to meet the hand4 ,,two ,on the word ,two1 resume the original position4 ,the same practice should also be done to the right reaching down as far as possible1 but without drawing the left heel up and back4 ,the following practice can only be performed in the cross-saddle1 by pupils learning to ride a la cavaliere1 and suitably dressed4 ,,caution4--,sixth ,practice4 ,on the word ,one1 pass the right leg over the horse's neck1 and1 turning on the seat1 sit facing ,,one the proper left1 keeping the body upright1 and the hands resting on the knees4 ,the leg must not be bent in passing over the horse's neck4 ,on the word ,two1 pass the left leg over the ,,two horse's quarter1 and turning in the seat1 sit facing to the rear1 assuming1 as much as possible1 the proper mounted position1 the arms hanging behind the thighs4 ,on the word ,three1 pass the right leg over the ,,three horse's quarter1 and1 turning in the seat1 sit facing to the proper right1 the body upright1 and the hands resting on the knees4 ,on the word ,four1 pass the left leg over the ,,four horse's neck1 and1 turning in the seat1 resume the proper mounted position4 ,each of the above motions may be performed by command of the instructor without repeating the words ,one1 ,two1 ,three1 etc4 ,transcriber's ,note3 ,inconsistencies in spelling1 punctuation1 and hyphenation have been retained as printed4