,,the ,,american ,,horsewoman ,,by ,,mrs4 ,,elizabeth ,,karr ,gold that buys health can never be ill spent1 ,nor hours laid out in harmless merriment4 ,j4 ,,webster ,illustration ,,boston ,,houghton1 ,,mifflin ,,and ,,company ,new ,york3 #aa ,east ,seventeenth ,street ,the ,riverside ,press1 ,cambridge #ahhd ,copyright1 #ahhd1 ,,by ,,elizabeth ,,karr4 ,all rights reserved4 ,the ,riverside ,press1 ,cambridge3 ,electrotyped and ,printed by ,h4 ,o4 ,houghton ,co4 ,,preface4 ,in presenting this volume to the women of ,america1 the author would remark that1 at least as far as she is aware1 it is the first one1 exclusively devoted to the instruction of lady riders1 that has ever been written by one of their own countrywomen4 ,in its preparation1 no pretension is made to the style of a practiced author1 the writer freely acknowledging it to be her first venture in the 7to her7 hitherto unexplored regions of authorship2 she has simply undertaken1--being guided and aided by her own experience in horseback riding1--to write1 in plain and comprehensive language1 and in as concise a manner as is compatible with a clear understanding of her subject1 all that she deems it essential for a horsewoman to know4 ,this she has endeavored to do without any affectation or effort to acquire reputation as an author1 and wholly for the purpose of benefiting those of her own sex who wish to learn not only to ride1 but to ride well4 ,she has also been induced to prepare the work by the urgent solicitations of many lady friends1 who1 desirous of having thorough information on horseback riding1 were unable to find in any single work those instructions which they needed4 ,many valuable works relating to the subject could be had1 but none especially for ladies4 ,true1 in many of these works prepared for equestrians a few pages of remarks or advice to horsewomen could be found1 but so scant and limited were they that but little useful and practical information could be gleaned from them4 ,the writers of these works never even dreamed of treating many very important points highly essential to the horsewoman2 and1 indeed1 it could hardly be expected that they would1 as it is almost impossible for any horseman to know1 much less to comprehend1 these points4 ,the position of a man in the saddle is natural and easy1 while that of a woman is artificial1 one-sided1 and less readily acquired2 that which he can accomplish with facility is for her impossible or extremely difficult1 as her position lessens her command over the horse1 and obliges her to depend almost entirely upon her skill and address for the means of controlling him4 ,if a gentleman will place himself upon the side-saddle and for a short time ride the several gaits of his horse1 he will have many points presented which he had not anticipated1 and which may puzzle him2 that which appeared simple and easy when in his natural position will become difficult of performance when he assumes the rle of a horsewoman4 ,a trial of this kind will demonstrate to him that the rules applicable to the one will not invariably be adapted to the other4 ,the reader need not be surprised1 therefore1 if in the perusal of this volume she discovers in certain instances instructions laid down which differ from those met with in the popular works upon this subject by male authors4 ,another inducement to prepare this volume existed in the fact that the ladies throughout the country1 and especially in our large cities and towns1 are apparently awakening to an appreciation of the importance of out-door amusement and exercise in securing and prolonging health1 strength1 beauty1 and symmetry of form1 and that horseback riding is rapidly becoming the favorite form of such exercise4 ,instructions relating to riding have become1 therefore1 imperative1 in order to supply a need long felt by those horsewomen who1 when in the saddle1 are desirous of acquitting themselves with credit1 but who have heretofore been unable to gain that information which would enable them to ride with ease and grace1 and to manage their steeds with dexterity and confidence4 ,the author--who has had several years' experience in horseback riding with the old-fashioned1 two-pommeled saddle1 and1 in later years1 with the ,english saddle1 besides having had the benefit of the best continental teaching--believes she will be accused of neither vanity nor egotism when she states that within the pages of this work instructions will be found amply sufficient to enable any lady who attends to them to ride with artistic correctness4 ,great care has been taken to enter upon and elucidate all those minute but important details which are so essential1 but which1 because they are so simple1 are usually passed over without notice or explanation4 ,especial attention has also been given to the errors of inexperienced and uneducated riders1 as well as to the mistakes into which beginners are apt to fall from incorrect modes of teaching1 or from no instruction at all2 these errors have been carefully pointed out1 and the methods for correcting them explained4 ,a constant effort has been made to have these practical hints and valuable explanations as lucid as possible1 that they may readily be comprehended and put into practical use by the reader4 ,from the fact that considerable gossip1 including some truth1 as to illiteracy1 rudeness1 offensive familiarity1 and scandal of various kinds has in past years been associated with some of the riding-schools established in our cities1 many ladies entertain a decided antipathy to all riding-schools2 to these ladies1 as well as to those who are living in places where no riding-schools exist1 the author feels confident that this work will prove of great practical utility4 ,yet she must remark that1 in her opinion1 it is neither just nor right to ostracize indiscriminately all such schools1 simply because some of them have proven blameworthy2 whenever a riding-school of good standing is established and is conducted by a well-known1 competent1 and gentlemanly teacher1 with one or more skilled lady assistants1 she would advise the ladies of the neighborhood to avail themselves of such opportunity to become sooner thorough and efficient horsewomen by pursuing the instructions given in this work under such qualified teachers4 ,,elizabeth ,,karr4 ,,north ,,bend1 ,,ohio4 ,a ,,brief ,,synopsis ,,of ,,contents4 ,,introduction4 ,,page ,utility1 health1 and enjoyment1 in horseback riding4--,affection of the horse for a kind mistress4--,incorrect views entertained by ladies relative to horses and horseback riding4--,tight lacing incompatible with correct riding4--,advantages of good riding-schools4--,instinct not a sufficient guide4--,compatibility of refinement and horseback riding4--,importance of out-of-door exercise4 #a ,,chapter ,i4 ,,the ,,horse4 ,origin and countries of the horse4--,earliest ,scriptural mention of the horse4--,caligula's horse4--,horseback riding in the ,middle ,ages4--,the ,arab horse and his descendants4--,selection of a horse1 and points to be observed4--,suitable gaits for the several conformations of riders4--,the fast or running walk4--,various kinds of trotting4--,the jog trot undesirable4--,temperament of the horse to be taken into consideration4--,thorough-bred horses4--,low-bred horses4--,traits of thorough and low bred horses4--,purchasing a horse2 when to pay for the purchase4--,kindness to the horse instead of brutality4--,advantages of kind treatment of the horse4--,horses properly trained from early colt-life1 the best4--,certain requirements in training a horse for a lady4--,ladies should visit their horses in the stable4--,ladies of refinement1 occupying the highest positions in the civilized and fashionable world1 personally attend to their horses4--,nature of the horse4--,unreliable grooms2 their vicious course with horses intrusted to their care4--,care required in riding livery-stable horses4 #ac ,,chapter ,,ii4 ,,the ,,riding ,,habit4 ,riding habit should not be gaudy4--,instructions concerning the material for riding habit1 and how this should be made4--,the waist4--,the basque or jacket4--,length of riding habit4--,white material not to be worn on horseback4--,riding shirt4--,riding drawers4--,riding boots4--,riding corset4--,riding coiffure or head-dress4--,riding hat4--,minuti to be attended to in the riding costume4--,how to hold the riding skirt while standing4--,riding whip4 #eb ,,chapter ,,iii4 ,,the ,,saddle ,,and ,,bridle4 ,saddle of ancient times1 and the manner of riding4--,planchette4--,catherine de ,medici deviser of the two-pommeled saddle4--,m4 ,pellier1 ,sr41 inventor of the third pommel4--,english saddle4--,advantages of the third pommel4--,saddle should1 invariably1 be made and fitted to the horse4--,seat of saddle4--,kinds of saddles for different ladies4--,proper application of the third pommel4--,saddle recommended and used by the author4--,points to be attended to in procuring a saddle4--,girths4--,new mode of tightening girths4--,stirrups and stirrup-leathers4--,safety stirrups4--,how to attach the stirrup-leather4--,the bridle and reins4--,martingales4--,snaffle-bits4--, curb-bits4--,curb-chain4--,tricks of horses with bits1 and their remedy4--,adjustment of the bit and head-stall4--,care of the bit4--,how to correctly place the saddle on the horse4--,remarks concerning girthing the horse4--,great advantages derived from knowing how to saddle and bridle one's horse4 #fg ,,chapter ,,iv4 ,,mounting ,,and ,,dismounting4 ,timidity in presence of a horse should be overcome4--,first attempts at mounting4--,mounting from a horse-block4--,mounting from the ground4--,mounting with assistance from a gentleman2 how this is effected4--,what the gentleman must do4--,a restive horse while mounting2 how to be managed4--,attractiveness of correct mounting4--,to dismount with assistance from a gentleman2 what the gentleman must do4--,attentions to the skirt both while mounting and dismounting4--,dismounting without aid2 upon the ground2 upon a very low horse-block4--,concluding remarks4 #ii ,,chapter ,v4 ,,the ,,seat ,,on ,,horseback4 ,the absolute necessity for a correct seat4--,natural riders rarely acquire a correct seat4--,the dead-weight seat4--,the wabbling seat4--,essential to good and graceful riding that the body be held square and erect4--,the correct seat4--,proper attitude for the body1 shoulders1 waist1 arms1 hands1 knees1 and legs1 when on horseback4--,uses and advantages of the third pommel4--,lessons in position should always be taken by the novice in horseback riding4--,faulty positions of ladies called excellent equestriennes1 pointed out at an imaginary park4--,remarks concerning the improper use of stirrups and pommels4--,pupils and teachers frequently in erroneous positions toward each other4--,obstinacy of some pupils1 and wrong ideas of others4--,ladies should not be in too much haste to become riders before they understand all the elementary and necessary requirements2 but should advance carefully1 attentively1 and thoroughly4--,suggestions to teachers of ladies in equitation4 #aad ,,chapter ,,vi4 ,,holding ,,the ,,reins1 ,,and ,,managing ,,the ,,horse4 ,a thorough knowledge of the management of the horse highly necessary for a lady4--,position in the saddle has an important influence4--,horses generally more gentle with women than with men4--,position should be acquired first1 and afterwards the reins be used4--,how to hold the hands and snaffle-reins1 in first lessons4--,to turn the horse to the right1 to the left1 to back him1 to stop him1 with a snaffle-rein in each hand4--,manner of holding the snaffle-reins in the bridle-hand2 to turn the horse to either side2 to back1 and to stop him4--,to change the snaffle-reins from the left to the right hand2 to reinstate them in the bridle-hand4--,to separate the snaffle-reins2 to shorten or lengthen them4--,to hold the curb and bridoon1 or double bridle-reins2 to shorten or lengthen them2 to shorten the curb and lengthen the snaffle-reins2 to shorten the snaffle and lengthen the curb-reins4--,to tighten a rein that has become loose4--,to change the double bridle from the left to the right hand2 to return it to the left hand4--,management of reins when making quick turns4--,european manner of holding the double bridle-reins1 a pair in each hand4--,the equestrienne should practice and perfect herself in these various manoeuvrings with the reins4--,the proper rein-hold creates a correspondence between the rider's hand and the horse's mouth1 and gives support to the animal4--,give and take movements--,the dead-pull4--,in collecting the horse the curb must be used4--,the secret of good riding4--,the management of the reins with restive horses4--,liberty of the reins sometimes necessary4--,movements of horse and rider should correspond4--,horse united or collected4--,horse disunited4--,to animate the horse4--,to soothe the horse4--,what to do in certain improper movements of the horse4--,concluding remarks4 #ade ,,chapter ,,vii4 ,,the ,,walk4 ,the movements of the horse in walking4--,a good walk is a certain basis for perfection in other gaits4--,a lady's horse should be especially trained to walk well4--,every change in the walk1 as turning1 backing1 and stopping1 should be well learned1 before attempting to ride in a faster gait4--,the walk is a gait more especially desirable for some ladies4--,the advance1 the turn1 the stop1 the reining back1 in the walk4--,remarks on the reining back4 #aha ,,chapter ,,viii4 ,,the ,,trot1 ,,the ,,amble1 ,,the ,,pace1 ,,the ,,rack4 ,the movements of the horse in trotting4--,the trot a safe gait for a lady4--,the jog trot4--,the racing trot4--,the true trot4--,the ,french trot4--,the ,english trot2 is desirable for ladies to learn4--,objections to the ,french trot4--,how to manage the horse and ride the ,english trot4--,which is the leading foot of the horse in the trot4--,to stop a horse in the ,english trot4--,trotting in a circle4--,circling to the right1 to the left4--,the amble4--,the pace4--,the rack4 #aig ,,chapter ,,ix4 ,,the ,,canter4 ,leading with the right foot1 with the left foot4--,the rapid gallop4--,the canter4--,the true canter4--,to commence the canter2 position of the rider1 and management of the horse4--,to canter with the right leg leading4--,to canter with the left leg leading4--,to determine with which leg the horse is leading in the canter4--,to change from the trot to the canter4--,to turn in the canter1 to the right1 to the left4--,management of the horse while making a turn in the canter4--,to stop in the canter4--,remarks concerning position in the canter4 #bba ,,chapter ,x4 ,,the ,,hand ,,gallop1 ,,the ,,flying ,,gallop4 ,the hand gallop1 a favorite gait with ladies4--,position and management of the reins1 in the hand gallop4--,cautions to ladies when riding the hand gallop4--,to manage a disobedient horse during the hand gallop4--,turning when riding the hand gallop4--,position of rider while turning in the hand gallop4--,the flying gallop an exercise for country roads4--,cautions to ladies previous to riding the flying gallop4--,holding the reins1 position of the rider1 and management of the horse1 in the flying gallop4--,to stop in the flying gallop4--,concluding remarks4 #bch ,,chapter ,,xi4 ,,the ,,leap1 ,,the ,,standing ,,leap1 ,,the ,,flying ,,leap4 ,advantages of learning to leap4--,requisites necessary in leaping4--,the standing leap4--,position of the rider1 rein-hold1 and management of the horse1 in the standing leap4--,points to be carefully observed in the leap4--,how to make the horse leap4--,management of the reins and of the rider's position during the leap4--,counsels which should be well learned by the rider before attempting the leap1 and especially as to the management of the horse4--,how to train a horse to leap4--,a lady should never attempt the leap1 except with a horse well trained in it4--,horses do not all leap alike4--,the flying leap4--,important points to know relative to the flying leap4 #bdi ,,chapter ,,xii4 ,,defenses ,,of ,,the ,,horse1 ,,critical ,,situations4 ,a lady's horse should be gentle1 well-trained1 and possess no vice4--,shying1 and its treatment4--,shying sometimes due to defective vision1 and at other times to discontent4--,balking1 and its treatment4--,backing1 and its treatment4--,gayety4--,kicking1 and its remedy4 ,an attention to the position and motions of the horse's ears will determine what he is about to do4--,plunging2 bucking2 what to do in these cases4--,rearing1 and the course to be pursued4--,running away1 and the course to be pursued4--,unsteadiness of the horse while being mounted1 and how to correct it4--,stumbling1 and its treatment4--,what to do when the horse falls4--,remarks concerning the use of the whip and spur4--,be generous to the horse when he yields to his rider4 #bga ,,addenda4 ,thirty-four points necessary to be learned1 and to be well understood by equestriennes4--,conclusion4 #cja ,,glossary #cac ,,index #cai ,,illustrations4 ,,figure ,,page #a4 ,,head ,,of ,,arabian ,,steed #bd #b4 ,,head ,,of ,,low-,,bred ,,horse #bd #c4 ,,width ,,of ,,lower ,,jaw ,,in ,,the ,,thorough-,,bred #bf #d4 ,,width ,,of ,,the ,,lower ,,jaw ,,in ,,the ,,low-,,bred #bf #e4 ,,oblique ,,shoulder #bg #f4 ,,straight ,,or ,,upright ,,shoulder #bh #g4 ,,english ,,saddle #fi #h4 ,,stokes' ,,mode ,,of ,,girthing ,,the ,,saddle #gg #i4 ,,victoria ,,stirrup #gi #aj4 ,,spring-,,bar ,,for ,,stirrup-,,leather #gi #aa4 ,,lennan',s ,,safety ,,stirrup #hj #ab4 ,,latchford',s ,,safety ,,stirrup #ha #ac4 ,,chifney ,,bit #hd #ad4 ,,the ,,combination ,,bit #he #ae4 ,,dwyer',s ,,curb-,,bit #hf #af4 ,,the ,,bit ,,adjusted #ij #ag4 ,,lady ,,ready ,,to ,,mount ,,her ,,horse #ajd #ah4 ,,lady ,,ready ,,to ,,dismount #aaj #ai4 ,,correct ,,seat ,,for ,a ,,lady 7,back view7 #aai #bj4 ,,correct ,,seat ,,for ,a ,,lady 7,side view7 #abd #ba4 ,,crooked ,,position ,,in ,,saddle 7,miss ,x47 #abi #bb4 ,,crooked ,,position ,,in ,,saddle 7,mrs4 ,y47 #acc #bc4 ,,incorrect ,,position ,,of ,,legs ,,and ,,feet 7,side view7 #acf #bd4 ,,incorrect ,,position ,,when ,,legs ,,and ,,feet ,,are ,,wrongly ,,placed 7,back view7 #acg #be4 ,,snaffle-,,reins2 ,,one ,,in ,,each ,,hand #adi #bf4 ,,snaffle-,,reins2 ,,both ,,in ,,the ,,left ,,hand #aec #bg4 ,,double ,,bridle2 ,,all ,,reins ,,in ,,the ,,bridle-,,hand #afb #bh4 ,,double ,,bridle2 ,a ,,snaffle ,,and ,a ,,curb ,,rein ,,in ,,each ,,hand #aff #bi4 ,,the ,,walk #ahe #cj4 ,,the ,,trot #bje #ca4 ,,entering ,,upon ,,the ,,canter ,,with ,,the ,,right ,,leg ,,leading #bbe #cb4 ,,the ,,flying ,,gallop #bdc #cc4 ,,the ,,standing ,,leap--,,rising #bea #cd4 ,,the ,,standing ,,leap--,,descending #bei #ce4 ,,the ,,horse #bii ,,introduction4 ,how melts my beating heart as ,i behold ,each lovely nymph1 our island's boast and pride1 ,push on the generous steed1 that sweeps along ,o'er rough1 o'er smooth1 nor heeds the steepy hill1 ,nor falters in the extended vale below6 ,the ,chase4 ,among ladies of wealth and culture in ,england1 the equestrienne art forms a portion of their education as much as the knowledge of their own language1 of ,french1 or of music1 and great care is taken that their acquirements in this art shall be as thorough as those in any other branch of their tuition4 ,the mother bestows much of her own personal supervision on her daughter's instruction1 closely watching for every little fault1 and promptly correcting it when any becomes manifest4 ,as a result universally acknowledged1 a young ,english lady1 when riding a well-trained and spirited horse1 is a sight at once elegant and attractive4 ,she exhibits a degree of confidence1 a firmness of seat1 and an ease and grace that can be acquired only by the most careful and correct instruction4 ,the fair rider guides her steed1 without abruptness1 from walk to canter1 from canter to trot1 every movement in perfect harmony2 horse and rider being1 as it were1 of one thought4 ,each look1 each motion1 awakes a new-born grace4 ,unfortunately1 at the present day1 from want of careful study of the subject1 the majority of ,american lady riders1 notwithstanding the elegance of their forms and their natural grace1 by no means equal their ,english sisters in the art of riding4 ,in most instances1 a faulty position in the saddle1 an unsteadiness of seat1 and a lack of sympathy between horse and rider1 occasion in the mind of the spectator a sense of uneasiness lest the horse1 in making playful movements1 or1 perhaps1 becoming slightly fractious1 may unseat his rider1--a feeling which quite destroys the charm and fascination she might otherwise exercise4 ,if my countrywomen would but make a master stroke1 and add correct horseback riding to the long list of accomplishments which they now possess1 they would become irresistible1 and while delighting others1 would likewise promote their own physical well-being4 ,there is no cosmetic nor physician's skill which can preserve the bloom and freshness of youth as riding can1 and my fair readers1 if they wish to prolong those charms for which they are world renowned1 charms whose only fault is their too fleeting existence1 must take exercise1 and be more in the fresh air and sunshine4 ,how much better to keep old age at bay by these innocent means1 than to resort to measures which give to the eye of the world a counterfeit youth that will not deceive for a moment4 ,even an elderly lady may without offense or harsh criticism recall some of the past joys of younger years by an occasional ride for health or recreation1 and1 while gracefully accepting her half century1 or more1 of life1 she can still retain some of the freshness and spirit of bygone years4 ,not only is health preserved and life prolonged by exercise on horseback1 but1 in addition1 sickness is banished1 or meliorated1 and melancholy1 that dark demon which occasionally haunts even the most joyous life1 is overcome and driven back to the dark shades from whence it came4 ,should the reader have the good fortune to possess an intelligent horse1 she can1 when assailed by sorrows real or fancied1 turn to this true1 willing friend1 whose affectionate neigh of greeting as she approaches1 and whose pretty little graceful arts1 will tend to dispel her gloom1 and1 once in the saddle1 speeding along through the freshening air1 fancied griefs are soon forgotten1 while strength and nerve are gained to face those troubles of a more serious nature1 whose existence cannot be ignored4 ,to the mistress who thoroughly understands the art of managing him1 the horse gives his entire affection and obedience1 becomes her most willing slave1 submits to all her whims1 and is proud and happy under her rule4 ,in disposition the horse is much like a child4 ,both are governed by kindness combined with firmness2 both meet indifference with indifference1 but return tenfold in love and obedience any care or affection that is bestowed upon them4 ,the horse also resembles the child in the keenness with which he detects hypocrisy2 no pretense of love or interest will impose on either4 ,to the lady rider who has neither real fondness for her horse nor knowledge of governing him1 there is left but one resource by means of which the animal can be controlled1 and this is the passion of fear4 ,with a determined will1 she may1 by whipping1 force him to obey1 but this means is not always reliable1 especially with a high-spirited animal1 nor is it a method which any true woman would care to employ4 ,if1 in addition to indifference to the horse1 there be added nervousness and timidity1 which she finds herself unable to overcome by practice and association1 the lady might as well relinquish all attempt to become a rider4 ,should any of my readers think that these views of the relations between horse and rider are too sentimental1 that all which is needed in a horse is easy movement1 obedience to the reins1 and readiness to go forward when urged1 and that love and respect are quite unnecessary1 she will find1 should she ever meet with any really alarming object on the road1 that a little of this despised affection and confidence is very desirable1 for1 in the moment of danger1 the voice which has never spoken in caressing accents1 nor sought to win confidence will be unheeded2 fear will prevail over careful training1 and the rider will be very fortunate if she escapes without an accident4 ,the writer is sustained in the idea that the affection of the horse is essential to the safety of the rider1 not only by her own experience1 but also by that of some of the most eminent teachers of riding1 and trainers of horses4 ,maud ,s4 is an example of what a firm yet kind rule will effect in bringing forth the capabilities of a horse4 ,she has never had a harsh word spoken to her1 and has never been punished with the whip1 but has1 on the contrary1 been trained with the most patient and loving care2 and the result has been a speed so marvelous as to have positively astonished the world1 for although naturally high tempered1 she will strain every nerve to please her kind1 loving master1 when urged forward by his voice alone4 ,some ladies acquire a dislike for horseback riding1 either because they experience discomfort or uneasiness when in the saddle1 or because the movements of their horses cause them considerable fatigue4 ,there may be various reasons for this3 the saddle may be too large1 or too small1 or improperly made2 or the rider's position in the saddle may be incorrect1 and as a consequence1 the animal cannot be brought to his best paces4 ,discomfort may occasionally be caused by an improperly made riding-habit4 ,the rider whose waist is confined by tight lacing cannot adapt herself to the motions of her horse1 and the graceful pliancy so essential to good riding will1 therefore1 be lost4 ,the lady who wears tight corsets can never become a thorough rider1 nor will the exercise of riding give her either pleasure or health4 ,she may manage to look well when riding at a gait no faster than a walk1 but1 beyond this1 her motions will appear rigid and uncomfortable4 ,a quick pace will induce rapid circulation1 and the blood1 checked at the waist1 will1 like a stream which has met with an obstacle in its course1 turn into other channels1 rushing either to the heart1 causing faintness1 or to the head1 producing headache and vertigo4 ,there have even been instances of a serious nature1 where expectoration of blood has been occasioned by horseback riding1 when the rider was tightly laced4 ,the naturally slender1 symmetrical figure1 when in the saddle1 is the perfection of beauty1 but she whom nature has endowed with more ample proportions will never attain this perfection by pinching her waist in4 ,let the full figure be left to nature1 its owner sitting well in the saddle1 on a horse adapted to her style1 and she will make a very imposing appearance1 and prove a formidable rival to her more slender companion4 ,there is a mistaken idea prevalent among certain persons1 that horseback riding induces obesity4 ,it is true that1 to a certain extent1 riding favors healthy muscular development1 but the same may be said of all kinds of exercise1 and this effect1 far from being objectionable1 is highly desirable1 as it contributes to symmetry of form1 as well as to health and strength1 conditions that in a large proportion of our ,american women are unfortunately lacking4 ,those who ride on horseback will find that while gaining in strength and proper physical tissue1 they will1 at the same time1 as a rule1 be gradually losing all excess of flesh2 it is impossible for an active rider to become fat or flabby2 but the indolent woman who is prejudiced against exercise of any kind will soon find the much dreaded calamity1 corpulency1 overtaking her1 and beauty of form more or less rapidly disappearing beneath a mountain of flesh4 ,there are many persons who entertain the mistaken idea that instinct is a sufficient guide in learning to ride2 that it is quite unnecessary to take any lessons or to make a study of the art of correct riding2 and that youth1 a good figure1 and practice are all that is required to make a finished rider4 ,this is a most erroneous opinion1 which has been productive of much harm to lady riders4 ,the above qualifications are undoubtedly great assistants1 but without correct instruction they will never produce an accomplished and graceful rider4 ,the instinctive horsewoman usually rides boldly and with perfect satisfaction to herself1 but to the eye of the connoisseur she presents many glaring defects4 ,very bold1 but1 at the same time1 very bad riding is often seen among those who consider themselves very fine horsewomen4 ,in order to gain the reputation of a finished rider1 it is not essential that one should perform all the antics of a circus rider1 nor that she should ride a ,mazeppian horse4 ,the finished rider may be known by the correctness of her attitude in the saddle1 by her complete control of her horse1 and by the tranquillity of her motions when in city or park2 in such places she makes no attempt to ride at a very rapid trot1 or flying gallop-gaits which should be reserved for country roads1 where more speed is allowable4 ,there is still another false idea prevalent among a certain class of people1 which is that a love for horses1 and for horseback riding necessarily makes one coarse1 and detracts from the refinement of a woman's nature4 ,it must be acknowledged that the coarseness of a vulgar spirit can be nowhere more conspicuously displayed than in the saddle1 and yet in no place is the delicacy and decorum of woman more observable4 ,a person on horseback is placed in a position where every motion is subject to critical observation and comment4 ,the quiet1 simple costume1 the easy movements1 the absence of ostentatious display1 will always proclaim the refined1 well-bred rider4 ,rudeness in the saddle is as much out of place as in the parlor or salon1 and greatly more annoying to spectators1 besides being disrespectful and dangerous to other riders4 ,abrupt movements1 awkward and rapid paces1 frequently cause neighboring horses to become restless1 and even to run away4 ,because a lady loves her horse1 and enjoys riding him1 it is by no means necessary that she should become a ,lady ,gay ,spanker1 indulge in stable talk1 make familiars of grooms and stable boys1 or follow the hounds in the hunting field4 ,there are in this work no especial instructions given for the hunting field1 as the author does not consider it a suitable place for a lady rider4 ,she believes that no lady should risk life and limb in leaping high and dangerous obstacles1 but that all such daring feats should be left to the other sex or to circus actresses4 ,nor would any woman who really cared for her horse wish to run the risk of reducing him to the deplorable condition of many horses that follow the hounds4 ,in ,england1 where hunting is the favorite pastime among gentlemen1 the number of maimed and crippled horses that one meets is disheartening4 ,every lady1 however1 who desires to become a finished rider1 should learn to leap1 as this will not only aid her in securing a good seat in the saddle1 but may also prove of value in times of danger4 ,before concluding ,i would again urge upon my readers the importance of out-of-door exercise1 which can hardly be taken in a more agreeable form than that of horseback riding1--a great panacea1 giving rest and refreshment to the overworked brain of the student1 counteracting many of the pernicious effects of the luxurious lives of the wealthy1 and acting upon the workers of the world as a tonic1 and as a stimulus to greater exertion4 ,,the ,,american ,,horsewoman4 ,,chapter ,i4 ,,the ,,horse4 ,look1 when a painter would surpass the life1 ,in limning out a well-proportioned steed1 ,his art with ,nature's workmanship at strife1 ,as if the dead the living should exceed2 ,so did this horse excel a common one1 ,in shape1 in courage1 color1 pace1 and bone4 99 99 99 99 99 --what a horse should have he did not lack1 ,save a proud rider on so proud a back4 ,venus and ,adonis4 ,it is supposed that the original home of the horse was central ,asia1 and that all the wild horses that range over the steppes of ,tartary1 the pampas of ,south ,america1 and the prairies of ,north ,america1 are descendants of this ,asiatic stock4#a ,there is1 in the history of the world1 no accurate statement of the time when the horse was first subjugated by man1 but so far back as his career can be traced in the dim and shadowy past1 he seems to have been man's servant and companion4 ,we find him1 on the mysterious ruins of ancient ,egypt1 represented with his badge of servitude1 the bridle2 he figures in myth and fable as the companion of man and gods2 he is a prominent figure in the pictured battle scenes of the ancient world2 and has always been a favorite theme with poet1 historian1 and philosopher in all ages4 ,footnote #a3 ,a very interesting work1 by ,c4 ,a4 ,pitrement1 has recently been issued in ,france1 entitled ,les chevaux dans les temps prehistorique et historique4 ,the author shows that wild horses were hunted and eaten by man in the rough stone age4 ,he also determines in what ,european and ,asiatic regions the eight extant horse families were domesticated1 and traces their various wanderings over the earth1 deducing many interesting facts from the history of their migrations4 ,the first written record1 known to us1 of the subjection of the horse to man is found in the ,bible1 where in ,genesis 7xlvii4 #ag7 it is stated that ,joseph gave the ,egyptians bread in exchange for their horses1 and in #a4 #i1 we read that when ,joseph went to bury his father ,jacob1 there went with him the servants of the house of ,pharaoh1 the elders of the land of ,egypt1 together with chariots and horsemen in numbers4 ,jeremiah compares the speed of the horse with the swiftness of the eagle2 and ,job's description of the war charger has never been surpassed4 ,ancient ,rome paid homage to the horse by a yearly festival1 when every one abstained from labor1 and the day was made one of feasting and frolic4 ,the horse1 decked with garlands1 and with gay and costly trappings1 was led in triumph through the streets1 followed by a multitude who loudly proclaimed in verse and song his many good services to man4 ,this adulation of the horse sometimes went beyond the bounds of reason1 as in the case of ,caligula1 who carried his love for his horse1 ,incitatus1 to an insane degree4 ,he had a marble palace erected for a stable1 furnished it with mangers of ivory and gold1 and had sentinels guard it at night that the repose of his favorite might not be disturbed4 ,another elegant palace was fitted up in the most splendid and costly style1 and here the animal's visitors were entertained4 ,caligula required all who called upon himself to visit ,incitatus also1 and to treat the animal with the same respect and reverence as that observed towards a royal host4 ,this horse was frequently introduced at ,caligula's banquets1 where he was presented with gilded oats1 and with wine from a golden cup4 ,historians state that ,caligula would even have made his steed consul of ,rome1 had not the tyrant been opportunely assassinated1 and the world freed from an insane fiend4 ,in the legends of the ,middle ,ages the knight-errant and his gallant steed were inseparable1 and together performed doughty deeds of valor and chivalry4 ,in our present more prosaic age1 the horse has been trained to such a degree of perfection in speed and motion as was never dreamed of by the ancients or by the knights of the crusades2 and there has been given to the world an animal that is a marvel of courage1 swiftness1 and endurance1 while1 at the same time1 so docile1 that the delicate hand of woman can completely control him4 ,the ,arabian is the patrician among horses2 he is the most intelligent1 the most beautifully formed1 and1 when kindly treated1 the gentlest of his race4 ,he is especially noted for his keenness of perception1 his retentive memory1 his powers of endurance1 and1 when harshly or cruelly treated1 for his fierce resentment and ferociousness1 which nothing but death can conquer4 ,in his ,arabian home he is guarded as a treasure1 is made one of the family and treated with the most loving care4 ,this close companionship creates an affection and confidence between the horse and his master which is almost unbounded2 while the kindness with which the animal is treated seems to brighten his intelligence as well as to render him gentle4 ,when these horses were first introduced into ,europe they seemed1 after a short stay in civilization1 to have completely changed their nature1 and1 instead of gentleness and docility1 exhibited an almost tiger-like ferocity4 ,this change was at first attributed to difference of climate and high feeding1 but1 after several grooms had been injured or killed by their charges1 it began to be suspected that there was something wrong in the treatment4 ,the experiment of introducing native grooms was therefore tried1 and the results proved most satisfactory1 the animals once more becoming gentle and docile4#b ,since then the nature of the ,arabian has become better understood1 and1 both in this country and in ,europe1 he shows1 at the present day1 a decided improvement upon the original native of the desert4 ,he is larger and swifter1 yet still retains all the spirit as well as docility of his ancestors4 ,in ,america his descendants are called thorough-breds1 and ,americans may well be proud of this race of horses1 which is rapidly becoming world renowned4 ,footnote #b3 ,the ,bedouin 7and every other race of ,orientals that ,i am acquainted with seems to possess somewhat the same quality7 exhibits a patience towards his horse as remarkable as is the impatience and roughness of the ,englishman4444 ,in his 7the ,oriental's7 mental organization some screw is tight which in the ,english mind is loose2 he is sane on a point where the ,englishman is slightly cracked1 and he rides on serene and contented where the latter would go into a paroxysm of swearing and spurring4 ,i have seen an ,arab horse1 broken loose at a moment when our camp was thronged with horses brought for sale1 turn the whole concern topsy-turvy1 and reduce it to one tumult of pawing and snorting and belligerent screeching2 and ,i never yet saw the captor when he finally got hold of the halter show the least trace of anger1 or do otherwise than lead the animal back to his picket with perfect calmness4 ,contrast this with the 'job' in the mouth and the kick in the ribs and the curse that the ,english groom would bestow under similar circumstances1 and you have1 in a great measure1 the secret of the good temper of the ,arab horse in ,arab hands4--,blackwood's ,magazine1 #ahei4 ,before purchasing a saddle-horse1 several points should be considered4 ,first1 the style of the rider's figure2 for a horse which would be suitable for a large1 stout person would not be at all desirable for one having a small1 slender figure4 ,a large1 majestic looking woman would present a very absurd spectacle when mounted upon a slightly built1 slender horse2 his narrow back in contrast with that of his rider would cause hers to appear even larger and wider than usual1 and thus give her a heavy and ridiculous appearance1 while the little horse would look overburdened and miserable1 and his step1 being too short for his rider1 would cause her to experience an unpleasant sensation of embarrassment and restraint4 ,on the other hand1 a short1 light1 slender rider1 seated upon a tall broad-backed animal1 would appear equally out of place2 the step of the horse being1 in her case1 too long1 would make her seat unsteady and insecure1 so that instead of a sense of enjoyment1 exhilaration1 and benefit from the ride1 she would experience only fatigue and dissatisfaction4 ,if the rider be tall and rather plump1 the horse should be fifteen hands and three inches in height1 and have a somewhat broad back4 ,a lady below the medium height1 and of slender proportions1 will look equally well when riding a pony fourteen hands high1 or a horse fifteen hands4 ,an animal fifteen hands1 or fifteen hands and two inches in height1 will generally be found suitable for all ladies who are not excessively large and tall1 or very short and slender4 ,in all cases1 however1 the back of the horse should be long enough to appear well under the side-saddle1 for a horse with a short back never presents a fine aspect when carrying a woman4 ,in such cases1 the side-saddle extends from his withers nearly1 if not quite1 to his hips1 and as the riding skirt covers his left side1 little is seen of the horse except his head and tail4 ,horses with very short backs are usually good weight-carriers1 but their gaits are apt to be rough and uneasy4 ,another point to be considered in the selection of a horse is1 what gait or gaits are best suited to the rider1 and here again the lady should take her figure into consideration4 ,the walk1 trot1 canter1 and gallop are the only gaits recognized by ,english horsewomen1 but in ,america the walk1 rack1 pace1 and canter are the favorite gaits4 ,if the lady's figure be slender and elegant1 any of the above named gaits will suit her1 but should she be large or stout1 a brisk walk or easy canter should be selected4 ,the rapid gallop and all fast gaits should be left to light and active riders4 ,the fast or running walk is a very desirable gait for any one1 but is especially so for middle-aged or stout people1 who cannot endure much jolting2 it is also excellent for delicate women1 for poor riders1 or for those who have long journeys to make which they wish to accomplish speedily and without undue fatigue to themselves or their horses4 ,a good sound horse who has been trained to this walk can readily travel thirty or forty miles a day1 or even more4 ,this gait is adapted equally well to the street1 the park1 and the country road2 but it must be acknowledged that horses possessing it rarely have any other that is desirable1 and1 indeed1 any other would be apt to impair the ease and harmony of the animal's movements in this walk4 ,the ,french or cavalry trot 7see page #bjc7 should never be ridden on the road by a woman1 as the movements of the horse in this gait are so very rough that the most accomplished rider cannot keep a firm1 steady seat4 ,the body is jolted in a peculiar and very unpleasant manner1 occasioning a sense of fatigue that is readily appreciated1 though difficult to describe4 ,the country jog-trot is another very fatiguing gait1 although farmers1 who ride it a good deal1 state that after one gets used to it1 it is not at all tiresome4 ,but a lady's seat in the saddle is so different from that of a gentleman's that she can never ride this gait without excessive fatigue4 ,a rough racker or pacer will prove almost as wearisome as the jog-trotter4 ,indeed1 if she wishes to gain any pleasure or benefit from riding1 a lady should never mount a horse that is at all stiff or uneven in his movements1 no matter what may be his gait4 ,the easiest of all gaits to ride1 although the most difficult to learn1 is the ,english trot4 ,this is especially adapted to short persons1 who can ride it to perfection4 ,a tall woman will be apt to lean too far forward when rising in it1 and her specialties1 therefore1 should be the canter and the gallop1 in which she can appear to the greatest advantage4 ,the rack1 and the pace of a horse that has easy movements are not at all difficult to learn to ride1 and are1 consequently1 the favorite gaits of poor riders4 ,in selecting a horse his temperament must also be considered4 ,a high-spirited1 nervous animal1 full of vitality1 highly satisfactory as he might prove to some1 would be only a source of misery to others of less courageous dispositions4 ,first lessons in riding should be taken upon a horse of cold temperament and kindly disposition who will resent neither mistakes nor awkwardness4 ,having learned to ride and to manage a horse properly1 no steed can then be too mettlesome for the healthy and active lady pupil1 provided he has no vices and possesses the good manners that should always belong to every lady's horse4 ,it is a great mistake to believe1 as many do1 that a weak1 slightly built horse is yet capable of carrying a woman4 ,on the contrary1 a lady's horse should be the soundest and best that can be procured1 and should be able to carry with perfect ease a weight much greater than hers4 ,a slight1 weak animal1 if ridden much by a woman1 will be certain to get out of condition1 will become unsound in the limbs of one side1 usually the left1 and will soon wear out4 ,before buying a horse1 the lady who is to ride him should be weighed1 and should then have some one who is considerably heavier than herself ride the animal1 that she may be sure that her own weight will not be too great for him4 ,if he carries the heavier weight with ease1 he can1 of course1 carry her4 ,in selecting a horse great care should be taken to ascertain whether there is the least trace of unsoundness in his feet and legs1 and especially that variety of unsoundness which occasions stumbling4 ,the best of horses1 when going over rough places or when very tired may stumble1 and so will indolent horses that are too lazy when traveling to lift their feet up fully2 but when this fault is due to disease1 or becomes a habit with a lazy animal1 he should never be used under the side-saddle4 ,illustration3 ,fig4 #a4--;,head of ,arabian ,steed4 ,illustration3 ,fig4 #b4--;,head of ,low-,bred ,horse4 ,if the reader will glance at ,figs4 #a and #b1 she will observe the difference between the head of the low-bred horse and that of the best bred of the race4 ,fig4 #a represents the head of an ,arabian horse2 the brain is wide between the eyes1 the brow high and prominent1 and the expression of the face high-bred and intelligent4 ,fig4 #b shows the head of a low-bred horse1 whose stupid aspect and small brain are very manifest4 ,the one horse will be quick to comprehend what is required of him1 and will appreciate any efforts made to brighten his intelligence1 while the other will be slow to understand1 almost indifferent to the kindness of his master1 and apt1 when too much indulged1 to return treachery for good treatment4 ,the whip1 when applied to the latter as a means of punishment1 will probably cow him1 but1 if used for the same purpose on the former1 will rouse in him all the hot temper derived from his ancestors1 and in the contest which ensues between his master and himself1 he will conquer1 or terminate the strife his own death1 or that of his master4 ,another noticeable feature in the ,arab horse1 and one usually considered significant of an active and wide-awake temperament1 is the width and expansiveness of the nostrils4 ,these1 upon the least excitement1 will quiver and expand1 and in a rapid gallop will stand out freely1 giving a singularly spirited look to the animal's face4 ,the shape and size of the ears are also indications of high or low birth4 ,in the high-bred horse they are generally small1 thin1 and delicate on their outer margins1 with the tips inclined somewhat towards one another4 ,by means of these organs the animal expresses his different emotions of anger1 fear1 dislike1 or gayety4 ,they may be termed his language1 and their various movements can readily be understood when one takes a little trouble to study their indications4 ,the ears of a low-bred horse are large1 thick1 and covered with coarse hair2 they sometimes lop or droop horizontally1 protruding from the sides of the head and giving a very sheepish look to the face2 they rarely move1 and express very little emotion of any kind4 ,the eye of the desert steed is very beautiful1 possessing all the brilliancy and gentleness so much admired in that of the gazelle4 ,its expression in repose is one of mildness and amiability1 but1 under the influence of excitement1 it dilates widely and sparkles4 ,a horse which has small eyes set close together1 no matter what excellences he may possess in other respects1 is sure to have some taint of inferior blood4 ,some of the coarser breeds have the large eye of the ,arabian1 but it will usually be found that they have some thorough-bred among their ancestors4 ,illustration3 ,fig4 #c4--,width of lower jaw in the thorough-bred4 ,width between the sides or branches of the lower jaw is another distinctive feature of the horse of pure descent4 7,fig4 #c47 ,a wide furrow or channel between the points mentioned is necessary for speed1 in order to allow room for free respiration when the animal is in rapid motion4 ,the coarser breeds have very small1 narrow channels 7,fig4 #d71 and very rapid motion soon distresses them4 ,illustration3 ,fig4 #d4--,width of lower jaw in the low-bred4 ,the mouth of the well-bred horse is large1 allowing ample room for the bit1 and giving him a determined and energetic1 but at the same time pleasant1 amiable expression4 ,the mouth of the low-bred horse is small and covered with coarse hair1 and gives the animal a sulky1 dejected appearance4 ,illustration3 ,fig4 #e4--,oblique shoulder4 ,the angle at the joint being about #de4 ,the light1 elegant head of the ,arabian is well set on his neck2 a slight convexity at the upper part of the throat gives freedom to the functions of this organ1 as well as elasticity to the movements of the head and neck2 and the encolure1 or crest of the neck1 is arched with a graceful curve4 ,but it is especially in the shape of the shoulders that this horse excels all others1 and this is the secret of those easy movements which make him so desirable for the saddle4 ,these shoulders are deep1 and placed obliquely at an angle of about #de2 they act like the springs of a well-made carriage1 diminishing the shock or jar of his movements4 ,they are always accompanied by a deep chest1 high withers1 and fore-legs set well forward1 qualities which make the horse much safer for riding4 7,fig4 #e47 ,illustration3 ,fig4 #f4--,straight or upright shoulder4 ,the angle at the joint being more than #de4 ,the animal with straight shoulders1 no matter how well shaped in other respects1 can never make a good saddle-horse1 and should be at once rejected4 ,these shoulders are usually accompanied by low withers1 and fore-legs placed too far under the body1 which arrangement causes the rider an unpleasant jar every time a fore-foot touches the ground4 ,moreover1 the gait of the horse is constrained and not always safe1 and if he be used much under the saddle his fore-feet will soon become unsound4 ,this straight1 upright shoulder is characteristic of the coarser breeds of horses1 and is frequently associated with a short1 thick neck4 ,such horses are not only unfit for the saddle1 but1 when any speed is desired1 are unsuitable even for a pleasure carriage4 7,fig4 #f47 ,the haunch of the low-bred horse is generally large1 but not so well formed as that of the thorough-bred4 ,this portion of the ,arabian courser is wide1 indicating strength1 and force to propel himself forward1 while his tail1 standing out gayly when he is in motion1 projects in a line with his back-bone4 ,his forearm is large1 long1 and muscular1#c his knees broad and firm1 his hocks of considerable size1 while his cannon-bone1 situated between the knee and the fetlock1 is short1 although presenting a broad appearance when viewed laterally4 ,footnote #c3 ,there is1 however1 a medium in this1 and the advantage of length in the arm will depend on the use to which the horse is applied4 ,the lady's horse1 the cavalry horse1 every horse in which prancing action is esteemed a beauty1 and in which utility is1 to a certain degree1 sacrificed to appearance1 must not be too long in the arm4 ,if he is long there1 he will be proportionally short in the leg2 and although this is an undoubted excellence1 whether speed or continuance is regarded1 the short leg will not give the grand and imposing action which fashion may require4 ,in addition to this1 a horse with short legs may not have quite so easy an action as another whose length is in the shank rather than in the arms4--,w4 ,youatt4 ,on each front leg1 at the back of the knee1 there is a bony projection1 giving attachments to the flexor muscles1 and affording protection to certain tendons4 ,the ,orientals set a great value upon the presence of this bone1 believing that it favors muscular action1 and the larger this prominence is the more highly do they prize the animal that possesses it4 ,the pasterns of the high-bred horse are of medium length1 and very elastic1 while the foot is circular and of moderate size4 ,in the preceding description1 the author has endeavored to make plain to the reader the most important points to be observed in both the high-bred and the low-bred horse1 and has given the most pronounced characteristics of each4 ,between these extremes1 however1 there are many varieties of horses1 possessing more or less of the ,arabian characteristics mingled with those of other races4 ,some of the best ,american horses are numbered among these mixed races1 and1 by many1 are considered an improvement upon the ,arabian1 as they are excellent for light carriages and buggies4 ,the more they resemble the ,oriental steed1 the better they are for the saddle4 ,the lady who1 in this country1 cannot find a horse to suit her1 will1 indeed1 be difficult to please4 ,it will be best for her to tell some gentleman what sort of horse she wishes1 and let him select for her2 but1 at the same time1 it can do no harm1 and may prove a great advantage to her to know all the requisite points of a good saddle-horse4 ,it will not take long to learn them1 and the knowledge gained will prevent her from being imposed upon by the ignorant or unscrupulous4 ,gentlemen1 even those who consider themselves good judges of horse-flesh1 are sometimes guilty of very serious blunders in selecting a horse for a lady's use2 and should the lady be obliged to negotiate directly with a horse-dealer1 she must bear in mind constantly the fact that1 although there are reliable and honorable dealers to be found1 there are many who would not scruple to cheat even a woman4 ,a careful perusal of the present work1 together with the advice of an upright and trustworthy veterinary surgeon1 or a skilled riding-master1 will aid her in protecting herself from the impositions of unprincipled horse-jockeys and self-styled veterinary doctors4 ,in any case1 whatever be the other characteristics of the animal selected1 be sure that he has the oblique shoulder1 as well as depth of shoulder1 and hind-legs well bent4 ,without these characteristics he will be unfit for a lady's use1 as his movements will be rough and unsafe1 and the saddle will be apt to turn4 ,if it be desired to purchase a horse for a moderate price1 certain points which might be insisted on in a high-priced animal will have to be dispensed with2 for instance1 his color may not be satisfactory2 he may not have a pretty head1 or a well-set tail1 etc41 but these deficiencies may be overlooked if he be sound1 have good action1 and no vices4 ,he may be handsome1 well-actioned1 and thoroughly trained1 but have a slight defect in his wind1 noticeable only when he is urged into a rapid trot1 or a gallop4 ,if wanted for street and park service only1 and if the purchaser does not care for fast riding1 a horse of this sort will suit her very well4 ,sometimes a horse of good breed1 as well as of good form1 has never had the advantages of a thorough training1 or he may be worn out by excessive work4 ,should he be comparatively young1 rest and proper training may still make a good horse of him1 but great care should be taken to assure one's self that no permanent disease or injury exists4 ,the ,orientals have a proverb1 that it is well to bear in mind when buying an animal of the kind just described3--,ruin1 son of ruin1 is he who buys to cure4 ,always examine with great care a horse's mouth4 ,a hard-mouthed animal is a very unpleasant one for a lady to ride1 and is apt to degenerate into a runaway4 ,scars at the angles of the mouth are good indications of a bolter1 or runaway1 or at least of cruel treatment1 and harsh usage is by no means a good instructor4 ,while a very short-backed horse does not appear to great advantage under a side-saddle1 he may1 nevertheless1 have many good qualities that will compensate for this defect1 and it may be overlooked provided the price asked for him be reasonable2 but horses of this kind frequently command a high price when their action is exceptionally good4 ,corns on the feet generally depreciate the value of a horse1 although they may sometimes be cured by removing the shoes1 and giving him a free run of six or eight months in a pasture of soft ground2 if he be then properly shod1 and used on country roads only1 he may become permanently serviceable4 ,there is1 however1 considerable risk in buying a horse that has corns1 and the purchaser should remember the ,oriental proverb just referred to1 and not forget the veterinary surgeon4 ,before paying for a horse1 the lady should insist upon having him on trial for at least a month1 that she may have an opportunity of discovering his vices or defects1 if any such exist4 ,she must be careful not to condemn him too hastily1 and should1 when trying him1 make due allowance for his change of quarters and also for the novelty of carrying a new rider1 as some horses are very nervous until they become well acquainted with their riders4 ,should the horse's movements prove rough1 should he be found hard-mouthed1 or should any indications of unsoundness or viciousness be detected1 he should be immediately returned to his owner4 ,it must be remembered1 however1 that very few horses are perfect1 and that minor defects may1 in most instances1 be overlooked if the essentials are secured4 ,before rejecting the horse1 the lady should also be very sure that the faults to which she objects are not due to her own mismanagement of him4 ,but if she decides that she is not at fault1 no amount of persuasion should induce her to purchase4 ,in justice to the owner of the horse1 he ought to be reasonably paid for the time and services of his rejected animal2 but if it be decided to keep the horse1 then only the purchase-money originally agreed upon should be paid4 ,the surest and best way of securing a good saddle-horse is to purchase1 from one of the celebrated breeding farms1 a well-shaped four-year-old colt of good breed1 and have him taught the gaits and style of movement required4 ,great care should be taken in the selection of his teacher1 for if the colt's temper be spoiled by injudicious treatment1 he will be completely ruined for a lady's use4 ,a riding-school teacher will generally understand all the requirements necessary for a lady's saddle-horse1 and may be safely intrusted with the animal's education4 ,if no riding-school master of established reputation as a trainer can be had1 it may be possible to secure the services of some one near the lady's home1 as she can then superintend the colt's education herself and be sure that he is treated neither rashly nor cruelly4 ,the ideas concerning the education of the horse have completely changed within the last twenty-five years4 ,the whip as a means of punishment is entirely dispensed with in the best training schools of the present day1 and1 instead of rough and brutal measures1 kindness1 firmness1 and patience are now the only means employed to train and govern him4 ,the theory of this modern system of training may be found in the following explanation of a celebrated ,english trainer1 who subdued his horses by exhibiting towards them a wonderful degree of patience3--,if ,i enter into a contest with the horse1 he will fling and prance1 and there will be no knowing which will be master2 whereas if ,i remain quiet and determined1 ,i have the best of it4 ,the following is an example of the patience with which this man carried out his theory3-- ,being once mounted on a very obstinate colt that refused to move in the direction desired1 he declined all suggestions of severe measures1 and after one or two gentle but fruitless attempts to make the animal move1 he desisted1 and having called for his pipe1 sat there quietly for a couple of hours enjoying a good smoke1 and chatting gayly with passing friends4 ,then after another quiet but unsuccessful attempt to induce the colt to move1 he sent for some dinner which he ate while still on the animal's back4 ,as night approached and the air became cool1 he sent for his overcoat and more tobacco1 and proceeded to make a night of it4 ,about this time the colt became uneasy1 but not until midnight did he show any disposition to move in the required direction4 ,now was the time for the master to assert himself4 ,whoa6 he cried1 you have stayed here so long to please yourself1 now you will stay a little longer to please me4 ,he then kept the colt standing in the same place an hour longer1 and when he finally allowed him to move1 it was in a direction opposite to that which the colt seemed disposed to take4 ,he walked the animal slowly for five miles1 then allowed him to trot back to his stable1 and finally--as if he had been a disobedient child--sent him supperless to bed1 giving him the rest of the night in which to meditate upon the effects of his obstinacy4 ,to some this may seem a great deal of useless trouble to take with a colt that might have been compelled to move more promptly by means of whip or spur2 but that day's experience completely subdued the colt's stubborn spirit1 and all idea of rebellion to human authority was banished from his mind forever4 ,had a contrary course been pursued1 it would probably have made the creature headstrong1 balky1 and unreliable2 he would have yielded to the whip and spur at one time only to battle the more fiercely against them at the first favorable opportunity1 and his master would never have known at what minute he might have to enter into a contest with him4 ,that a horse trained by violent means can never be trusted is a fact which is every day becoming better recognized and appreciated4 ,a great many accidents might be avoided1 says a well-known authority upon the education of the horse1 could the populace be instructed to think a horse was endowed with senses1 was gifted with feelings1 and was able in some degree to appreciate motives4444 ,the strongest man cannot physically contend against the weakest horse4 ,man's power reposes in better attributes than any which reside in thews and muscles4 ,reason alone should dictate and control his conduct4 ,thus guided1 mortals have subdued the elements4 ,for power1 when mental1 is without limit3 by savage violence nothing is attained and man is often humbled4 ,the lady who has the good fortune to live in the country where she can have so many opportunities for studying the disposition and character of her animals1 and can1 if she chooses1 watch and superintend the education of her horse from the time he is a colt1 has undoubtedly a better chance of securing a fine saddle-horse than she who lives in the city and is obliged to depend almost entirely upon others for the training of her horse4 ,indeed1 very little formal training will be necessary for a horse that has been brought up under the eye of a kind and judicious mistress1 for he will soon learn to understand and obey the wishes of one whom he loves and trusts1 and if she be an accomplished rider she can do the greater part of the training herself4 ,the best and most trustworthy horse the author ever had was one that was trained almost from his birth4 ,fay's advent was a welcome event to the children of the family1 by whom he was immediately claimed and used as a play-fellow4 ,by the older members of the family he was always regarded as part of the household1--an honored servant1 to be well cared for1--and he was petted and fondled by all1 from paterfamilias down to ,bridget in the kitchen4 ,he was taught1 among other tricks1 to bow politely when anything nice was given him1 and many were the journeys he made around to the kitchen window1 where he would make his obeisance in such an irresistible manner that ,bridget would be completely captivated2 and the dainty bits were passed through the window in such quantities and were swallowed with such avidity that the lady of the house had to interfere and restrict the donations to two cakes daily4 ,fay had been taught to shake hands with his admirers1 and this trick was called his word of honor2 he had his likes and dislikes1 and would positively refuse to honor some people with a hand-shake4 ,if these slighted individuals insisted upon riding him1 he made them so uncomfortable by the roughness of his gaits that they never cared to repeat the experiment4 ,but the favored ones1 whom he had received into his good graces and to whom he had given his word of honor1 he would carry safely anywhere1 at his lightest and easiest gait4 ,fay never went back on his word1 which is more than can be said of some human beings4 ,the great difficulty in training a horse for a lady's use is to get him well placed on his haunches4 ,in ,fay's case this was accomplished by teaching him to place his fore-feet upon a stout inverted tub1 about two feet high4 ,when he offered his hand for a shake1 some one pushed forward the tub1 upon which his foot dropped and was allowed to remain a short time1 when the other foot was treated in the same manner4 ,after half a dozen lessons of this sort1 he learned to put up his feet without assistance2 first one1 and then the other1 and1 finally1 both at once4 ,these performances were always rewarded by a piece of apple or cake1 together with expressions of pleasure from the by-standers4 ,fay had a weakness for flattery1 and no actor called before the curtain ever expressed more pleasure at an encore than did ,fay when applauded for his efforts to please4 ,that the tub trick would prove equally effectual with other horses in teaching them to place themselves well on their haunches cannot be positively stated4 ,it might prove more troublesome to teach most horses this trick than to have them placed upon their haunches in the usual way by means of a strong curb1 or by lessons with the lunge line4 ,it proved entirely successful in ,fay's case1 and a horse lighter in hand or easier in gait was never ridden by a woman4 ,fay's training began when he was only a few weeks old3 a light halter and a loose calico surcingle were placed on him for a short time each day1 during which time he was carefully watched lest he should do himself some injury4 ,when he was about eight months old1 a small bit1 made of a smooth stick of licorice1 was put into his mouth1 and to this bit light leather reins were fastened by pieces of elastic rubber3 this rubber relieved his mouth from a constant dead pull1 and tended to preserve its delicate sensibility4 ,thus harnessed he was led around the lawn1 followed by a crowd of youthful admirers and playmates1 who formed a sort of triumphal procession1 with which the colt was as well pleased as the spectators4 ,every attempt on his part to indulge in horse-play1 such as biting1 kicking1 etc41 was always quickly checked1 and no one was allowed to tease or strike him4 ,nothing heavier than a dumb jockey was put on his back until he was four years old1 when his education began in sober earnest4 ,after a few lessons with the lunge line1 given by a regular trainer1 a saddle was put on his back1 and for the first time in his life he carried a human being4 ,when learning his different riding gaits on the road1 he was always accompanied by a well-trained saddle-horse1 aided by whose example as well as by the efforts of his rider he was soon trained in three different styles of movement1 namely1 a good walk1 trot1 and hand gallop4 ,fear seemed unknown to this horse1 for he had always been allowed as a colt to follow his dam on the road1 and had thus become so accustomed to all such alarming objects as steam engines1 hay carts1 etc41 that they had ceased to occasion him the least uneasiness4 ,this high spirited and courageous animal had perfect confidence in the world and looked upon all mankind as friendly4 ,his constant companionship with human beings had sharpened his perceptive faculties1 and made him quick to understand whatever was required of him4 ,the kindness shown him was never allowed to degenerate into weakness or over-indulgence1 and whenever anything was required of him it was insisted upon until complete obedience was obtained4 ,in this way he was taught to understand that man was his master and superior4 ,although it is not absolutely essential that a lady's horse should learn the tricks of bowing1 hand-shaking1 etc41 yet the lady who will take the pains to teach her horse some of them will find that she not only gets a great deal of pleasure from the lessons1 but that they enable her to gain more complete control over him1 for the horse1 like some other animals1 gives affection and entire obedience to the person who makes an effort to increase his intelligence4 ,lessons with the lunge line should always be short1 as they are very fatiguing to a young colt1 and when given too often or for too great a length of time they make him giddy from rush of blood to the head2 not a few instances1 indeed1 have occurred where a persistence in such lessons has occasioned complete blindness4 ,a lady's horse should be taught to disregard the flapping of the riding-skirt1 and it is also well for him to become accustomed to having articles of various kinds1 such as pieces of cloth1 paper1 etc41 fluttering about him1 as he will not then be likely to take fright should any part of the rider's costume become disarranged and blow about him4 ,he should also be so trained that he will not mind having the saddle moved from side to side on his back4 ,the best of riders may have her saddle turn1 and if the horse be thus trained he will neither kick nor run away should such an accident occur4 ,it is also very important that the horse should be taught to stop1 and stand as firm as a rock at the word of command given in a low1 firm tone4 ,this habit is not only important in mounting and dismounting1--feats which it is difficult1 if not impossible1 for the lady to perform unless the horse be perfectly still1--but the rider will also find this prompt obedience of great assistance in checking her horse when he becomes frightened and tries to break away2 for he will stop instinctively when he hears the familiar order given in the voice to which he is accustomed4 ,a lady should not fail to visit her horse's stable from time to time1 in order to assure herself that he is well treated and properly cared for by the groom4 ,viciousness and restlessness on the road can often be traced to annoyances and ill-treatment in the stable4 ,grooms and stable boys sometimes like to see the horse kick out and attempt to bite1 and will while away their idle hours in harassing him1 tickling his ears with straws1 or touching him up with the whip in order to make him prance and strike out4 ,the result of these annoyances will be that1 if the lady during her ride accidentally touches her horse with the whip1 he will begin prancing and kicking2 or1 if it is summer time1 the gnats and flies swarming about his ears will make him unmanageable4 ,in the latter case1 ear-tips will only make the matter worse1 especially if they have dangling tassels4 ,when such signs of nervousness are noticeable1 especially in a horse that has been hitherto gentle1 they may usually be attributed to the treatment of the groom or his assistants4 ,most grooms delight in currying their charges with combs having teeth like small spikes and in laying on the polishing brush with a hand as heavy as the blows of misfortune4 ,some animals1 it is true1 like this kind of rubbing1 but there are many1 who have thin1 delicate skins1 to whom such treatment is almost unmitigated torture4 ,should the lady hear any contest going on between the horse and groom during the former's morning toilette1 she should order a blunt curry-comb to be used2 or even dispense with a comb altogether1 and let the brush only be applied with a light hand4 ,grooms sometimes take pleasure in throwing cold water over their horses4 ,in very warm weather1 and when the animal is not overheated1 this treatment may prove refreshing to him1 but1 as a general rule it is objectionable1 as it is apt to occasion a sudden chill which may result in serious consequences4 ,the stable man may grumble at the lady's interference and supervision1 but she must not allow this to prevent her from attending carefully to the welfare of the animal whose faithful services contribute so largely to her pleasure4 ,when she buys a horse she introduces a new member into her household1 who should be as well looked after and cared for as any other faithful servant or friend4 ,indeed1 the horse is the more entitled to consideration in that he is entirely helpless1 and his lot for good or evil lies wholly in her power4 ,if the mistress is careless or neglects her duty1 the servants in whose charge the horse is placed will be very apt to follow her example1 and the poor animal will suffer accordingly4 ,perhaps the lady1 however1 may object to entering the stable1 and agree with the groom in thinking it no place for a woman4 ,or she may fear that in carrying out the ideas suggested above she will expose herself to the ridicule of thoughtless acquaintances who can never do anything until it has received the sanction of fashion4 ,for the benefit of this fastidious individual and her timid friends we will quote the example of the ,empress of ,austria1 who1 although occupying an exalted position at a court where etiquette is carried to the extremes of formality1 yet does not hesitate to visit the stable of her favorite steeds and personally to supervise their welfare2 and woe to the perverse groom who in the least particular disobeys her commands4 ,many other examples might be given of high-born ladies1 such as ,queen ,victoria1 the ,princess of ,wales1 the ,princess of ,prussia1 and others1 who do not seem to consider it at all unfeminine or coarse for a woman to give some personal care and supervision to her horses4 ,but to enter into more details would prove tiresome1 and the example given is enough to silence the scruples of the followers of fashion4 ,like all herbivorous creatures that love to roam in herds1 the horse is naturally of a restless temperament4 ,activity is the delight of his existence1 and when left to nature and a free life he is seldom quiet4 ,man takes this creature of buoyant nature from the freedom of its natural life1 and confines the active body in a prison house where its movements are even more circumscribed than are those of the wild beasts in the menagerie2 they can at least turn around and walk from side to side in their cages1 but the horse in his narrow stall is able only to move his head from side to side1 to paw a little with his fore-feet1 and to move backwards and forwards a short distance1 varying with the length of his halter2 when he lies down to sleep he is compelled to keep in one position1 and runs the risk of meeting with some serious accident4 ,in some stables where the grooms delight in general stagnation1 the horses under their charge are not allowed to indulge in even the smallest liberty4 ,the slightest movement is punished by the lash of these silence-loving tyrants1 in whose opinion the horse has enough occupation and excitement in gazing at the blank boards directly in front of his head4 ,if these boards should happen to be whitewashed1 as is often the case in the country1 constant gazing at them will be almost sure to give rise to shying1 or even to occasion blindness4 ,if the reader will1 for several minutes1 gaze steadily at a white wall1 she will he able to get some idea of the poor horse's sensations4 ,is it then to be wondered at1 that an animal of an excitable nature like the horse should1 when released from the oppressive quiescence of his prison-house1 act as if bereft of reason1 and perform strange antics and caperings in his insane delight at once more breathing the fresh air1 and seeing the outside world4 ,but1 while the horse is thus expressing his pleasure and recovering the use of limbs by vigorous kicks1 or is expending his superfluous energy by bounding out of the road at every strange object he encounters1 the saddle will be neither a safe nor pleasant place for the lady rider4 ,to avoid such danger1 and to compensate1 in some degree1 the liberty-loving animal for depriving him of his natural life and placing him in bondage1 he should be given1 instead of the usual narrow stall1 a box stall1 measuring about sixteen or eighteen feet square4 ,in this box the horse should be left entirely free1 without even a halter1 as this appendage has sometimes been the cause of fearful accidents1 by becoming entangled with the horse's feet4 ,the groom may grumble again at this innovation1 because a box stall means more work for him1 but if he really cares for the horses under his charge he will soon become reconciled to the small amount of extra work required by the use of a box stall4 ,every one who knows anything about a horse in the stable is well aware of the injury done to this animal's feet and limbs by compelling him to stand always confined to one spot in a narrow stall4 ,a box will prevent the occurrence of these injuries1 besides giving the horse a little freedom and enabling him to get more rest and benefit from his sleep4 ,some horses are fond of looking through a window or over a half door4 ,the glimpse they thus get of the outside life seems to amuse and interest them1 and it can do no harm to gratify this desire4 ,others1 however1 seem to be worried and excited by such outlooks2 they become restless and even make attempts to leap over the half door or through the window4 ,in such cases there should1 of course1 be no out-of-door scenery visible from the box4 ,the groom should exercise the horse daily1 in a gentle and regular manner2 an hour or two of walking1 varied occasionally by a short trot1 will generally be found sufficient4 ,being self-taught in the art of riding1 grooms nearly always have a very heavy bridle hand1 and1 if allowed to use the curb bit1 will soon destroy that sensitiveness of the horse's mouth which adds so much to the pleasure of riding him4 ,the man who exercises the horse should not be permitted to wear spurs2 a lady's horse should be guided wholly by the whip and reins1--as will be explained hereafter1--and in no case whatever should the spur be used4 ,if the lady wishes to keep her horse in good health and temper she must insist upon his being exercised regularly1 and must assure herself that the groom executes her orders faithfully2 for some men1 while professing to obey1 have been known to stop at the nearest public house1 and1 after spending an hour or two in drinking beer and gossiping with acquaintances1 to ride back complacently to the stable1 leaving the horse to suffer from want of exercise4 ,other grooms have gone to the opposite extreme1 and have ridden so hard and fast that the horse on his return was completely tired out1 so that when there was occasion to use him the same day it was an effort for him to maintain his usual light gait4 ,grooms who are always doctoring a horse1 giving him nostrums that do no good but often much harm1 are also to be avoided4 ,in short1 the owner of a horse must be prepared for tricks of all kinds on the part of these stable servants2 although1 in justice to them1 it must be said that there are many who endeavor to perform all their duties faithfully1 and can be relied on to treat with kindness any animals committed to their care4 ,should the lady rider be obliged to get her horse from a livery stable1 she should not rely entirely upon what his owner says of his gaits or gentleness1 but should have him tried carefully by some friend or servant1 before herself attempting to mount him4 ,she should also be very careful to see1 or have her escort see1 that the saddle is properly placed upon the back of the horse and firmly girthed1 so that there may be no danger of its turning4 ,,chapter ,,ii4 ,,the ,,riding ,,habit4 ,her dress1 her shape1 her matchless grace1 ,were all observed1 as well as heavenly face4 ,,dryden4 ,a riding habit should be distinguished by its perfect simplicity4 ,all attempts at display1 such as feathers1 ribbons1 glaring gilt buttons1 and sparkling jet1 should be carefully avoided1 and the dress should be noticeable only for the fineness of its material and the elegance of its fit4 ,one of the first requirements in a riding dress is that it should fit smoothly and easily4 ,the sleeves should be rather loose1 especially near the arm-holes1 so that the arms may move freely2 but should fit closely enough at the wrist to allow long gauntlet gloves to pass readily over them4 ,it is essential that ample room should be allowed across the chest1 as the shoulders are thrown somewhat back in riding1 and the chest is1 consequently1 expanded4 ,the neck of the dress should fit very easily1 especially at the back part4 ,care must be taken not to make the waist too long1 for1 owing to a lady's position in the saddle1 the movements of her horse will soon make a long waist wrinkle and look inelegant4 ,to secure ease1 together with a perfect fit without crease or fold1 will be somewhat difficult1 but not impossible4 ,some tailors1 particularly in ,new ,york1 ,philadelphia1 ,london1 and ,paris1 make a specialty of ladies' riding costumes1 and can generally be relied on to supply comfortable and elegant habits4 ,the favorite and most appropriate style of riding jacket is the postilion basque2 this should be cut short over the hips1 and is then especially becoming to a plump person1 as it diminishes the apparent width of the back below the waist4 ,the front should have two small darts1 and should extend about three inches below the waist2 it should then slope gradually up to the hips1--where it must be shortest1--and then downward so as to form a short1 square coat-flap at the back1 below the waist4 ,this flap must be made without gathers or plaits1 and lined with silk1 between which and the cloth some stiffening material should be inserted4 ,the middle seam of the coat-flap should be left open as far as the waist1 where about one inch of it must be lapped over from left to right2 the short side-form on each side must be lapped a little toward the central unclosed seam4 ,the arm-holes should be cut rather high on the shoulders1 so that the back may look less broad4 ,if the lady lacks plumpness and roundness1 her jacket must be made double-breasted1 or else have padding placed across the bust1 for a hollow chest mars all the beauty of the figure in the saddle1 and causes the rider to look round-shouldered4 ,the edge of the basque should be trimmed with cord-braid1 and the front fastened with crocheted bullet buttons2 similar buttons should be used to fasten the sleeves closely at the wrist1 and two more should be placed on the back of the basque just at its waist line4 ,great care must be taken to have the jacket well lined and its seams strongly sewed4 ,the coat-flaps on the back of the basque1 below the waist-line1 should be held down by heavy metallic buttons1 sewed underneath each flap at its lower part1 and covered with the same material as that of the dress4 ,without these weights this part of the dress will be apt to be blown out of position by every passing breeze1 and will bob up and down with every motion of the rider's body1 presenting a most ridiculous appearance4 ,for winter riding an extra jacket may be worn over the riding basque4 ,it should be made of some heavy1 warm material1 and fit half tightly4 ,if trimmed with good fur1 this jacket makes a very handsome addition to the riding habit4 ,poets have expatiated upon the grace and beauty of the long1 flowing riding skirt1 with its ample folds1 but experience has taught that this long skirt1 though1 perhaps1 very poetical1 is practically not only inconvenient but positively dangerous4 ,in the canter or gallop the horse is very apt to entangle his hind-foot in it and be thrown1 when the rider may consider herself fortunate if she escapes with no worse accident than a torn skirt4 ,another objection to this poetical skirt is1 that it gathers up the mud and dust of the road1 and soon presents a most untidy appearance2 while if the day be fresh and breezy its ample folds will stream out like a victorious banner2 if made of some light material the breeze will swell it out like an inflated balloon2 and if of heavy cloth its length will envelop the rider's feet1 and make her look as if tied in a bag4 ,to avoid all these dangers and inconveniences the riding skirt should be cut rather short and narrow1 and be made of some heavy material4 ,two yards and a quarter will be quite wide enough for the bottom of the skirt1 while the length need be only about twelve inches more than the rider's ordinary dress4 ,the skirt should be so gored as to form no gathers or plaits at the waist4 ,tailor-made skirts are so neatly gored as to remain perfectly smooth when the rider is seated in the saddle4 ,as the pommels take up a good deal of room1 the front part of the skirt1 which passes over them1 should be made a little longer than the back1 so that1 when the rider is seated in the saddle1 her dress may hang evenly4 ,if made the same length all around it will1 when the lady is mounted1 be entirely too short in front1 and1 besides presenting an uneven1 trail-like appearance1 will be apt to work back1 or to blow up and expose the right foot of the wearer4 ,the bottom of the skirt should have a hem about three inches wide1 but should never be faced with leather1 as this will give a stiff1 bungling effect1 and if the rider should be thrown1 and catch the hem of her skirt on either pommel or stirrup1 the strength of the leather lining would prevent the cloth from tearing and thus releasing her4 ,shot1 pieces of lead1 or other hard substances are also objectionable1 because by striking against the horse's side they often cause him to become restless or even to run away4 ,to keep the skirt down in its proper position a loop of stout elastic1 or tape1 should be fastened underneath1 near the bottom1 and through this loop the foot should be passed before being put into the stirrup4 ,the point where the loop should be fastened must be determined by the position of the lady's foot when she is correctly seated in the saddle4 ,some riders use a second elastic for the right foot1 to prevent the skirt from slipping back1 but this is not absolutely necessary4 ,the basque and skirt should be made separate1 although it is a very good plan to have strong hooks and eyes to fasten them together at the sides and back1 as this will prevent the skirt from turning1 or slipping down below the waist1 should the binding be a little too loose4 ,the placket-hole should be on the left side and should be buttoned over1 to prevent it from gaping open2 it must be only just large enough to allow the skirt to slip readily over the shoulders4 ,the best material for a riding habit is broadcloth1 or any strong1 soft fabric that will adapt itself readily to the figure4 ,the color is1 of course1 a matter of taste4 ,black is always stylish1 and is particularly becoming to a stout person4 ,dark blue1 hunter's green1 and dark brown are also becoming colors1 especially for slender1 youthful figures4 ,in the country1 a linen jacket may be worn in warm weather1 and will be found a very agreeable substitute for the cloth basque1 but the skirt should never be made of so thin a material1 as it will be too light to hang well and too slippery to sit upon4 ,to secure ease and freedom in the saddle1 a garment closely resembling a pair of pantaloons will have to be worn under the riding skirt1 and be fastened down securely by means of strong leather or rubber straps1 which pass under the foot and are buttoned to the bottom of the pantaloons4 ,these pantaloons should be made of some soft cloth the color of the dress1 or else of chamois skin1 faced up to the knee with cloth like that of the skirt4 ,most people prefer the chamois skin for winter use1 as it is very warm and so soft that it prevents much of the chafing usually occasioned by the rubbing of the right leg on the pommel4 ,no under petticoats are necessary where the pantaloons are used1 but if the rider wear one1 it should be of some dark color that will not attract attention if the riding skirt be blown back4 ,black silk will be an excellent material for such a skirt in summer1 something warmer being used in winter4 ,this skirt should have no folds or gathers in it1 but if the rider be very thin a little padding around the hips and over the back will give her the desired effect of plumpness4 ,an important article of every-day wear will have to be discarded and a riding-habit shirt used in its place4 ,this shirt must be made short1 that the rider may not have to sit upon its folds and wrinkles1 which she would find very uncomfortable4 ,the collar should be high and standing1 la militaire1 and made of the finest1 whitest linen2 it should be sewed to the shirt for greater security1 and should just be seen above the high collar band of the basque4 ,the drawers must also be made very much like those of a gentleman1 and the lower parts be tucked under the hose4 ,the garters should be rather loose1 or elastic4 ,buttoned boots1 or those with elastic sides1 should not be worn when riding4 ,for summer use1 the shoe laced at the side1 and having a low1 broad heel1 is liked by many4 ,the ladies' ,wellington boot1 reaching nearly to the knee1 is also a favorite with some1 and1 when made without any seam in front1 prevents the stirrup-iron from chafing the instep4 ,to be comfortable1 it should have a broad sole and be made a little longer than the foot4 ,this boot1 however1 gives the wearer rather an ,amazonian appearance1 and has also the great disadvantage of being very difficult to get off1 the lady usually being obliged to appropriate the gentleman's bootjack for the purpose4 ,the best boot for riding purposes1 found to be the most comfortable1 and one easy to get on and off1 is made of some light leather1 or kid1 for summer use1 and of heavier leather for winter2 it extends half way to the knee1 laces up in front1 has broad1 low heels and wide soles1 and is made a little longer than the wearer's foot1 so that it may be perfectly easy1 as a tight boot in riding is even more distressing than in walking4 ,the corset is indispensable to the elegant fit required in a riding habit1 but should never be laced tight4 ,it should be short on the sides and in the front and back4 ,if long in front it will be almost impossible for the rider to pass her knee over the second pommel when she attempts to mount her horse1 and will cause her1 when riding1 to incline her body too far back2 when long at the sides it will be even more inconvenient1 for1 if at all tight1 it will make the rider1 when in the saddle1 feel as if her hips were compressed in a vise2 when too long behind1 it will interfere with that curving or hollowing in of the back that is so necessary to an erect position2 it will also tend to throw the body too far forward4 ,if the rider have any tendency to stoutness all these discomforts will be exaggerated4 ,the ,c4 ,p4 or the ,parisian la ,sirene is undoubtedly the best corset for riding purposes1 for it is short1 light1 and flexible1 and not prejudicial to the ease and elegance of good riding1 as is the case with the stiff1 long-bodied corset4 ,the hair should be so arranged that it cannot possibly come down during the ride4 ,to effect this1 it must be made into one long braid1 which must be coiled upon the back of the head1 and fastened firmly1 but not too tightly1 by means of a few long hairpins4 ,the coil may be put on the top of the head1 but this arrangement will be found very inconvenient1 especially where the hair is thick1 for it will make the hat sit very awkwardly on the head4 ,the hair should never be worn in ringlets1 as these will be blown about by the wind1 or by the movements of the rider1 and will soon become so tangled as to look like anything but the smooth flowing ringlets of the poet4 ,nor should the hair be allowed to stream down the back in long peasant-braids1 a style mistakenly adopted by some young misses1 but which gives the rider a wild and untidy appearance4 ,when the horse is in motion these braids will stream out on the breeze1 and an observer at a short distance will be puzzled to know what it is that seems to be in such an extraordinary state of agitation4 ,it is also a mistake to draw the hair back tightly from the forehead1 as this gives a constrained look to the features2 it should1 on the contrary1 be arranged in rather a loose1 unstudied manner1 which will tend to soften the expression of the face4 ,it is the extreme of bad taste to bang or frizz the hair across the forehead1 or to wear the hat somewhat on the back of the head4 ,these things are sometimes done by very young girls1 but give to the prettiest and most modest face an air of boldness and vulgarity4 ,the riding hat at present fashionable1 and most suitable for city or park1 is made of black silk plush with a ,stanley curved brim1 and bell-crown1 and is trimmed with a narrow band around the crown1 directly above the brim4 ,another favorite is a jockey-cap1 made of the same cloth as that of the habit4 ,either of these may be obtained at the hat stores4 ,for riding in the country1 where one does not care to be so dressy1 the ,english ,derby1 or some other fashionable style of young gentleman's felt hat1 may be used2 with a short plume or bird's wing fastened at the side1 a hat of this description has a very charming and coquettish air4 ,there is another style of silk hat manufactured expressly for ladies1 which may also be obtained at any hatter's2 it has a lower crown than a gentleman's silk hat1 and looks very pretty with a short black net-veil fastened around the crown1 as this relieves the stiff look it otherwise presents4 ,this style of hat is very appropriate for a middle-aged person4 ,care must be taken to have the hat neither too loose nor too tight2 if too tight1 it will be apt to occasion a headache1 and if too loose will be easily displaced4 ,long veils1 long plumes1 hats with very broad brims1 or very high crowns1 as well as those which are worn perched on the top of the head1 should be especially avoided4 ,the hat must always be made secure on the head by means of stout elastic sewn on strongly1 and so adjusted that it can pass below the braid or coil of hair at the back of the head4 ,an ordinary back-comb firmly fastened on the top of the head will prevent the hat from gradually slipping backwards4 ,these apparently trifling details must be attended to1 or some prankish breeze will suddenly carry off the rider's hat1 and she will be subjected to the mortification of having it handed back to her1 with an ill-concealed smile1 by some obliging pedestrian4 ,many little particulars which seem insignificant when in the dressing-room will become causes of much discomfort and suffering when in the saddle4 ,the pleasure of many a ride has been marred by a displaced pin1 a lost button1 too tight a garter1 a glove that cramped the hand1 or a ring that occasioned swelling and pain in the finger4 ,these details1 unimportant as they may seem1 must be carefully attended to before starting for a ride4 ,pins should be used sparingly4 ,if a watch is worn1 it should be well secured in its pocket1 and the chain carefully fastened to a button of the jacket4 ,the riding gauntlets should be made of thick1 soft1 undressed kid1 or chamois skin1 be long wristed1 and somewhat loose across the hands1 so that the reins may be firmly grasped4 ,with the exception of the watch1 the chain of which should be as unostentatious as possible1 it will not be in good taste to wear jewelry4 ,a cravat or small bow of ribbon will be in much better taste than a breast-pin for fastening the collar1 and may be of any color that suits the fancy or complexion of the wearer4 ,the costume may be much brightened by a small boutonnire of natural flowers2 these placed at the throat or waist in an apparently careless manner give an air of daintiness and refinement to the whole costume4 ,there is one accomplishment often neglected1 or overlooked1 even by the most skillful lady riders1 and that is1 expertness in holding the riding skirt easily and gracefully when not in the saddle4 ,in this attainment the ,parisian horsewoman far excels all others2 her manner of gathering up the folds of her riding skirt1 while waiting for her horse1 forms a picture of such unaffected elegance1 that it would be well for other riders to study and imitate it4 ,she does not grab her skirt with one hand1 twist it round to one side1 allow it to trail upon the ground1 nor does she collect the folds in one unwieldy bunch and throw it brusquely over her arm4 ,instead of any of these ungraceful acts1 she quietly extends her arms down to their full length at her sides1 inclines her body slightly forward1 and gathers up the front of her skirt1 raising her hands just far enough to allow the long part in front and at the sides to escape the ground2 then by bringing her hands slightly forward1 one being held a little higher than the other1 the back part of the skirt is raised4 ,while accomplishing these movements her whip will be held carelessly in her right hand1 at a very short distance below the handle1 the point being directed downwards1 and somewhat obliquely backwards4 ,the whole of this graceful manoeuvring will be effected readily and artlessly1 in an apparently unstudied manner4 ,in reality1 however1 all the ,parisian's ease and grace are the results of careful training1 but so perfect is the instruction that art is made to appear like nature4 ,in selecting a riding whip care should be taken to secure one that is straight and stiff2 if it be curved1 it may accidentally touch the horse and make him restless2 if flexible it will be of no use in managing him4 ,the handle of the whip may be very plain1 or the lady may indulge her taste for the ornamental by having it very elaborate and rich1 but she should be careful never to sacrifice strength to appearances4 ,any projecting points that might catch on the dress and tear it must be dispensed with4 ,that the whip may not be lost if the hand should unwittingly lose its hold upon it1 a loop of silk cord should be fastened firmly to the handle1 and the hand passed through this loop4 ,when riding1 the whip should always be held in the right hand with a grasp sufficient to retain it1 but not as if in a vise2 the point should be directed downward1 or toward the hind-leg of the horse1 care being taken not to touch him with it except when necessary4 ,,chapter ,,iii4 ,,the ,,saddle ,,and ,,bridle4 ,form by mild bits his mouth1 nor harshly wound1 ,till summer rolls her fourth-revolving round4 ,then wheel in graceful orbs his paced career1 ,let step by step in cadence strike the ear1 ,the flexile limbs in curves alternate prance1 ,and seem to labor as they slow advance3 ,then give1 uncheck'd1 to fly with loosen'd rein1 ,challenge the winds1 and wing th' unprinted plain4 ,,virgil1 ,sotheby's ,translation4 ,in ye ancient times1 the damsel who wished to enjoy horseback riding did not1 like her successor of to-day1 trust to her own ability to ride and manage her horse1 but1 seated upon a pad or cushion1 called a pillion1 which was fastened behind a man's saddle1 rode without a stirrup and without troubling herself with the reins1 preserving her balance by holding to the belt of a trusty page1 or masculine admirer1 whose duty it was to attend to the management of the horse4 ,we learn that as late as ,a4 ,d4 #agjj1 ,george ,,iii4 made his entry into ,london with his wife1 ,charlotte1 thus seated behind him4 ,gradually1 however1 as women became more confident1 they rode alone upon a sort of side-saddle1 on which by means of the reins and by bracing her feet against a board1 called a planchette1 which was fastened to the front of the saddle1 the rider managed to keep her seat4 ,such was the ,english horsewoman of the seventeenth century1 in the time of ,charles ,,ii41--the height of fashion and the cream of style4 ,to the much quoted vanity of the fair sex do we owe the invention of the side-saddle of our grandmothers4 ,about the middle of the sixteenth century ,catherine de ,medici1 wife of ,henry ,,ii4 of ,france1 having a very symmetrical figure which she wished to display to advantage1 invented the second pommel of the saddle1 and thus1 while gratifying her own vanity1 was unconsciously the means of greatly benefiting her sex by enabling them to ride with more ease and freedom4 ,to this saddle there was added1 about #ahcj1 a third pommel1 the invention of which is due to the late ,m4 ,pellier1 ,sr41 an eminent riding teacher in ,paris1 ,france4 ,this three-pommeled saddle is now called the ,english saddle1 and is the one generally used by the best lady riders of the present day4 ,this so-called ,english saddle was promptly appreciated1 and wherever introduced soon supplanted the old-fashioned one with only two pommels4 7,fig4 #g47 ,illustration3 ,fig4 #g4--;,english ,saddle4 #a1 second pommel2 #b1 third pommel2 #c1 shield2 #d1 saddle-flap2 #e1 cantle2 #f1 stirrup-leather2 #g1 stirrup2 #h1 girths2 #i1 platform4 ,a lady who has once ridden one of these three-pommeled saddles will never care to use any other kind4 ,it renders horseback riding almost perfectly safe1 for1 if the rider has learned to use it properly1 it will be nearly impossible for a horse to throw her4 ,it gives her a much firmer seat even than that of a gentleman in his saddle1 and at the same time1 if rightly used1 does not interfere with that easy grace so essential to good riding4 ,in many of our large cities where this saddle is employed twenty lady riders may now be seen in the park or on the road where formerly there was one2 and this is wholly due to the sense of security it gives1 especially to a timid rider1 a feeling never attainable in the two-pommeled saddle1 where the seat is maintained chiefly by the balance1 or by using the reins as a means of support4 ,by sitting erect1 taking a firm hold upon the second pommel with the right knee1 and pressing the left knee up against the third pommel1 a perfectly secure seat is obtained1 from which the rider cannot be shaken1 provided the saddle is well girthed and the horse does not fall1 while her hands are left free to manage the reins1 a very important point where the horse is spirited or restless4 ,to insure the greatest safety and comfort for both horse and rider1 it is very important that the saddle should be accurately constructed4 ,if possible1 it should be made especially for the horse that is to carry it1 so that it may suit his particular shape4 ,if it does not fit him well1 it will be likely to turn1 or may gall his back severely1 and make him for a long time unfit for service4 ,it may even1 in time1 give rise to fistulous withers1 will certainly make the horse restless and uneasy on the road1 and the pain he suffers will interfere with the ease and harmony of his gaits4 ,many a horse has been rendered unfit for a lady's use solely because the saddle did not fit well4 ,the under surface of the arch of the saddle-tree1 in front1 should never come in contact with the animal's withers1 nor should the points of the saddle-tree be so tightly fitted as to interfere with the movements of his shoulders4 ,on the other hand1 they should not be so far apart as to allow the central furrowed line of the under surface of the saddle 7the chamber7 to rest upon the animal's back4 ,the saddle should be so fitted and padded that this central chamber will lie directly over the spinal column of the horse without touching it1 while the padded surfaces1 just below the chamber1 should rest closely on the sides of the back1 and be supported at as many points as is possible without making the animal uncomfortable4 ,when a horse has very high withers1 a breast-plate1 similar to that employed in military service1 may be used1 to prevent the saddle from slipping backwards4 ,this contrivance consists of a piece of leather passing round the neck like a collar1 to the lowest part of which is fastened a strap that passes between the fore-legs of the horse and is attached to the saddle girth4 ,two other straps1 one on each side1 connect the upper part of the collar piece with the upper part of the saddle4 ,the under strap should never be very loose1 for should the saddle slip back and this strap not be tight enough to hold down the collar piece1 the latter will be pulled up by the upper straps so as to press against the windpipe of the horse and choke him4 ,should the horse have low withers and a round1 barrel-like body1 false pannels or padded pieces may be used2 but an animal of this shape is not suitable for a lady1 for it will be almost impossible to keep the saddle from turning1 no matter how carefully it may be girthed4 ,a sufficiently spacious seat or platform to the saddle is much more comfortable for both horse and rider than a narrow one4 ,it gives the rider a firmer seat1 and does not bring so much strain upon the girths4 ,this platform should also be made as nearly level as possible1 and be covered with quilted buckskin4 ,leather1 now so often used for this purpose1 becomes after a time so slippery that it is difficult to retain one's seat1 and the pommels when covered with it are apt to chafe the limbs severely4 ,to secure a thoroughly comfortable saddle it is necessary that not only the horse1 but also the rider1 should be measured for it2 for a saddle suitable for a slender person could hardly be used with any comfort by a stout one1 and it is almost as bad to have a saddle too large as too small4 ,care must be taken to have sufficient length from the front of the second pommel to the cantle4 ,in the ready-made saddles this distance is usually too short1 and the rider is obliged to sit upon the back edge of the seat1 thereby injuring both herself and her horse4 ,it is much better to err in the other direction and have the seat too long rather than too short4 ,the third pommel should be so placed that it will just span the knee when the stirrup-leather is of the right length4 ,it should be rather short1 slightly curved1 and blunt4 ,if it be too long and have too much of a curve1 it will1 in the ,english trot1 interfere with the free action of the rider's left leg1 and if the horse should fall1 it would be almost impossible for her to disengage her leg and free herself in time to escape injury4 ,the third pommel must be so placed as not to interfere with the position of the right leg when this is placed around the second pommel with the right heel drawn backwards4 ,to get the proper proportions for her saddle1 the lady must1 when seated1 take her measure from the under side of the knee joint to the lower extremity of her back1 and also--to secure the proper width for the seat--from thigh to thigh4 ,if these two measurements are given to the saddle-maker he will1 if he understands his business1 be able to construct the saddle properly4 ,the saddle recommended by the author1 one which she has used for several years1 and still continues to use1 is represented in ,fig4 #g4 ,the third pommel of this saddle is of medium size1 and instead of being close to the second one is placed a short distance below it1 thus enabling the rider to use a longer stirrup than she otherwise could2 for if the two pommels be very close together1 the rider will be obliged to use a very short stirrup in order to make this third pommel of any use4 ,the disadvantage of a short stirrup is that1 in a long ride1 it is apt to occasion cramp in the left leg4 ,it also interferes with an easy and steady position in the saddle4 ,but with a stirrup of the right length1 and the arrangement of the pommels such as we have described1 a steadiness is given to the left leg that can never be obtained with the old-fashioned two-pommeled saddle4 ,the third pommel must be screwed securely into the saddle-tree1 and once fixed in its proper place1 should not again be moved1 as if frequently turned it will soon get loose1 and the rider will not be able to rely upon its assistance to retain her balance4 ,it should be screwed into place inversely1 that is1 instead of being turned to the right it must be turned to the left1 so that the pressure of the knee may make it firmer and more secure1 instead of loosening it1 as would be the case if it were screwed to the right4 ,this pommel should be well padded1 so that the knee may not be bruised by it4 ,the second pommel should also be well padded1 and should always be curved slightly so as to suit the form of the right leg4 ,it must not be so high as to render it difficult1 in mounting and dismounting1 to pass the right knee over it4 ,the off-pommel1 since the ,english saddle has come into vogue1 has almost disappeared1 being reduced to a mere vestige of its former size4 ,this is a great improvement to the rider's appearance1 as she now no longer has that confined1 cribbed-up look which the high pommeled saddle of twenty years ago gave her4 ,the distance between the off-pommel and the second one should be adapted to the size of the rider's leg1 being wide enough to allow the leg to rest easily between the two2 but no wider than this1 as too much space will be apt to lead her to sit sideways upon the saddle4 ,a saddle should be well padded1 but not so much so as to lift the rider too high above the horse's back4 ,the shield in front should not press upon the neck of the horse1 but should barely touch it4 ,the saddle flaps must be well strapped down1 for if they stand out stiffly1 the correct position of the stirrup leg will be interfered with4 ,a side-saddle should never be too light in weight1 for this will make the back of the horse sore1 especially if he be ridden by a heavy woman4 ,the tacks or nails in the under part of the saddle should be firmly driven in1 as they may otherwise become loose and either injure the horse1 or make him nervous and uneasy4 ,to avoid trouble of this kind1 some people advocate the use of false pannels1 which are fastened to the saddle-tree by rods or loops1 and can be removed and replaced at will4 ,it is said that by using them1 the same saddle can be made to fit different horses4 ,the author has no personal knowledge of this invention1 but it has been strongly recommended to her by several excellent horsemen4 ,a felt or flannel saddle cloth1 of the same color as the rider's habit1 should always be placed under the saddle1 as it helps to protect the horse's back1 as well as to prevent the saddle from getting soiled4 ,every finished side-saddle has three girths4 ,two of these are made of felt cloth1 or strong webbing1 and are designed to fasten it firmly upon the horse's back4 ,the third one1 made of leather1 is intended to keep the flaps down4 ,there should always be1 on each side1 three straps fastened to the saddle-tree under the leather flaps2 upon two of these the girths are to be buckled1 while the third is an extra one1 to be used as a substitute in case of any accident to either of the others4 ,between the outside leather flaps and the horse's body there should be an under flap of flannel or cloth1 which should be well padded on the side next the horse1 because1 when tightly girthed1 the girth-buckles press directly upon the outside of this flap1 and if its padding be thin1 or worn1 the animal will suffer great pain4 ,this is a cause of restlessness which is seldom noticed1 and many a horse has been thought to be bad tempered when he was only wild with pain from the pressure of the girth-buckles against his side4 ,illustration3 ,fig4 #h4--,stokes' mode of girthing the saddle4 ,the credit of introducing a new method of tightening girths belongs1 so far as we know1 to ,mr4 ,stokes1 formerly a riding-teacher in ,cincinnati4 ,this method enables one to girth the horse tightly1 without using so much muscular effort as is usually required1 so that by its means1 a lady can1 if she wish1 saddle her own horse4 7,fig4 #h47 ,the following is a description of ,mr4 ,stokes' manner of girthing3 ,at the end of each of the leather girth straps1 which hang down between the flaps on the off-side of the saddle1 is fastened a strong iron buckle without any tongue1 but with a thin steel roller or revolving cylinder on its lower edge4 ,on the near side of the saddle the girths are strapped in the usual manner1 but1 on the outer end of each cloth girth there is1 in addition to an ordinary buckle1 with a roller on the upper side of it1 a long strap1 which is fastened to the under side of the girth1 the buckle being on the upper side4 ,this strap1 when the saddle is girthed1 is passed up through the tongueless buckle1 moving easily over the steel roller1 and is then brought down to the buckle with tongue on the end of the girth1 and there fastened in the usual manner4 ,the slipper stirrup1 when first introduced1 was a great favorite1 for in addition to furnishing an excellent support1 it was believed that it would release the foot instantly should the rider be thrown4 ,this latter merit1 however1 it was found that it did not possess1 as many severe accidents occurred where this stirrup was used1 especially with the two-pommeled saddle4 ,instead of releasing the rider in these cases1 as it was supposed it would1 the stirrup tilted up and held her foot so firmly grasped that she was dragged some distance before she could be released4 ,this stirrup1 therefore1 gradually fell into disfavor1 and is now no longer used by the best riders4 ,illustration3 ,fig4 #i4--,victoria stirrup4 ,there are1 at the present time1 three kinds of stirrups which are favorites among finished riders4 ,the first is called the ,victoria because it is the one used by the ,queen of ,england4 7,fig4 #i47 ,in this stirrup the platform on which the foot rests is broad and comfortable1 and is slightly roughened to prevent the foot from slipping4 ,a spring-bar attachment 7,fig4 #aj7 is placed at the top of the stirrup-leather under the saddle-flap1 and at the end of this bar there is a spring1 so that1 if the rider be thrown1 the stirrup-leather becomes instantly detached from the saddle4 ,illustration3 ,fig4 #aj4--,spring-bar for stirrup leather4 ,the second variety of stirrup1 known as ,lennan's safety stirrup1 has all the merit of the preceding one4 ,if kept well oiled and free from mud1 it will release the foot at once1 when an accident occurs4 ,it may1 if desired1 be accompanied by the spring-bar attachment1 and thus rendered doubly secure4 7,fig4 #aa47 ,some people1 however1 dislike the spring-bar attachment1 and prefer to rely entirely upon the spring of the stirrup to release the foot4 ,illustration3 ,fig4 #aa4--,lennan's safety stirrup4 ,the third stirrup1 called ,latchford's safety stirrup1 consists of a stirrup within a stirrup1 and is so arranged that1 when a rider is thrown1 the inner stirrup springs open and releases the foot4 7,fig4 #ab47 ,either of these stirrups can be procured in ,london1 ,england1 or from the best saddle-makers in this country4 ,illustration3 ,fig4 #ab4--,latchford's safety stirrup4 ,a stirrup-iron should never be made of cast metal1 but invariably of the best wrought steel3 it should be adapted to the size of the rider's foot1 and should1 if possible1 have an instep pad at the top1 while the bottom platform1 upon which the foot rests1 should be broad1 and roughened on its upper surface4 ,the stirrup-leather should be of the very best material1 and should have neither fissures nor cracks in any part of it4 ,it is very important to examine this leather frequently1 and see that it is neither wearing thin1 nor breaking at its upper part at the bar1 nor at the lower part where it is fastened to the stirrup4 ,a novel arrangement of the stirrup-leather1 by means of the so-called balance-strap1 has of late years been used by some riders4 ,the stirrup is1 in this case1 fastened to the balance-strap1 which consists of a single strap passing up through the ring-bar1 and then brought down to within two or three inches of the lower edge of the saddle-flap2 here it is passed through a slit in the flap1 then carried under the horse to the other side and buckled to another strap1 which is fastened1 for this purpose1 just below the off-pommel4 ,by this arrangement the saddle-flaps on both sides are held down1 and the rider1 without dismounting1 can change the length of her stirrup by merely tightening or loosening this strap4 ,although highly recommended by some riders1 this balance strap has one objectionable feature1 which is that1 as the measurement of the horse's girth is not constant during a long ride1 it will be necessary to tighten the strap frequently in order to keep the stirrup of the proper length4 ,the old way of fastening is much better1 for too much complication in the saddle and bridle is apt to annoy and confuse the rider1 especially if a novice4 ,the golden rule in riding on horseback is to have everything accurate1 simple1 safe1 and made of the very best material that can be procured4 ,the bridle should be neatly and plainly made1 with no large rosettes at the sides1 nor highly colored bands across the forehead4 ,the reins and the head-piece should never be made of rounded straps1 but always of flat ones1 and should be of the best and strongest leather1 especially the reins4 ,these should be carefully examined from time to time1 in order to be sure that there are no imperfections in them4 ,any roughness or hardness is an indication of defectiveness1 and may be detected by dexterously passing the fingers to and fro over the flat surfaces1 which should be smooth1 soft1 and flexible4 ,there can hardly be too much care taken about this matter1 for the snapping of a rein always alarms a horse2 and1 feeling himself free from all control1 he will be almost certain to run away1 while the rider1 if she has no other reins1 will be powerless to protect herself1 or to check him in his purpose4 ,martingales are rarely used by riders1 as they are troublesome1 and can very well be dispensed with1 unless the horse has the disagreeable trick of raising his head suddenly1 from time to time1 when a martingale will become necessary in order to correct this fault4 ,the ,french martingale is the best4 ,this consists of a single strap1 fastened either to the under part of a nose-band at its centre under the jaw1 or by branches to each side of the snaffle-bit at the corners of the horse's mouth and then carried between the fore-legs and fastened to the girth4 ,when the horse raises his head too high this strap pulls upon the nose-band1 compresses his nostrils1 interferes with his breathing1 and causes him to lower his head promptly4 ,the horse should not be too much confined by the martingale1 for the object is simply to prevent him from lifting his head too high1 and all other ordinary movements should be left free4 ,illustration3 ,fig4 #ac4--;,chifney bit4 ,among the many bits which have been used1 that known as the ,pelham has been highly praised1 although1 at the present time1 it is almost1 if not entirely1 out of use4 ,it might1 however1 from the severity of its curb prove of service in controlling a hard-mouthed horse1 although such a one should never be ridden by a lady4 ,the ,chifney bit is another very severe one1 and is very useful in managing a horse that pulls hard4 ,but if the animal have a tender mouth1 this bit should be used with great caution1 and not at all by an inexperienced rider4 7,fig4 #ac47 ,the bit known as the snaffle1 when made plain and not twisted1 is the mildest of all bits1 and some horses will move readily only when this is used1 the curb instantly rousing their temper4 ,others1 again1 do best with a combination of the curb and the snaffle1 and although the former may seldom require to be used1 its mere presence in the mouth of the horse will prove a sufficient check to prevent him from running away4 ,most horses1 however1 especially those ridden by ladies1 require a light use of the curb to bring them to their best gait4 ,illustration3 ,fig4 #ad4--,the ,combination ,bit4 a1 a1 rings fastened on each side to small bar1 at right angles to and directed backward of the cheek2 b1 b1 rings for the curb-reins4 ,the bit used and recommended by many1 but not by the author1 is a curb so arranged as to form a combination bit in one piece4 ,it consists of a curb 7,fig4 #ad71 to each side of which1 at the angles of the horse's mouth1 a ring is attached1 and to each of these rings is fastened a rein4 ,this gives a second pair of reins and converts the curb into a kind of snaffle4 ,in this way it answers the purpose of both curb and snaffle without crowding the horse's mouth with two separate bits4 ,if two bits should be used--the curb and bridoon--instead of the above combination bit1 the bridoon should be placed in the horse's mouth in such a way as not to interfere with the action of the curb2 it must1 therefore1 be neither too thick nor too long1 and so fitted into the angles of the mouth as to neither wrinkle nor draw back the lips4 ,the bit should always be made of the best steel1 be well rounded1 and perfectly smooth4 ,above all it should be accurately fitted to the horse's mouth3 if it be too narrow it will compress his lips against the bars of his mouth1 and the pain thereby occasioned will render him very restive4 ,the mouth-piece should be just long enough to have the cheeks of the bit fit closely to the outer surface of the lips without compressing them1 and must not be so long as to become displaced obliquely when a rein is pulled4 ,illustration3 ,fig4 #ae4--;,dwyer's ,curb-,bit4 #a1 #a1 upper bars or cheeks2 #b1 #b1 lower bars2 #c1 the port2 #d1 #d1 the canons2 #e1 curb-chain2 #f1 curb-hook2 #g1 lip strap and ring2 #h1 #h1 rein rings2 #i1 #i1 head stall rings4 ,according to ,major ,dwyer1 who is a high authority on the subject of bits1--and whose little work should be carefully studied by all bit-makers1--it seems to be the general rule to have the lower bar or cheek of the curb-bit twice as long as the upper one2 but1 as there is no standard measure for the upper one the other is frequently made too long4 ,major ,dwyer states that the mouth-piece1 for any horse of ordinary size1 should be one and three fourths inches for the upper bar1 and three and a half inches for the lower one4 ,this makes five and one fourth inches for the entire length of the two bars1 from the point at which the curb-hook acts above to that where the lower ring acts below4 7,fig4 #ae47 ,for ordinary ponies the upper bar may be one and a half inches1 and the lower one three1 making a total length of four and a half inches4 ,every lady rider should know that the longer the lower bar1 the thinner the mouth-piece1 and the higher the port1 the more severe and painful will be the action of the bit upon the horse's mouth4 ,for a horse of ordinary size1 the width of the port should be one and one third inches2 for a pony1 one inch4 ,the height will vary according to the degree of severity required4 ,the curb-chain1 for a horse that has a chin-groove of medium size1 should be about four fifths of an inch wide1 as a chain that is rather broad and flat is less painful for the horse than a thin1 sharp one4 ,if the chin-groove be very narrow1 a curb-chain of less width will have to be used1 and should be covered with cloth2 or1 instead of a chain1 a narrow strap of leather may be used1 which should be kept soft and pliable4 ,the proper length for the curb-chain1 not including the curb-hooks1 is about one fourth more than the width of the animal's mouth4 ,the hooks should be exactly alike1 and about an inch and a quarter long4 ,some horses are very expert in the trick of catching the cheek of the bit between their teeth4 ,to remedy this vice a lip-strap may be used2 but it will be found much better to have each cheek or bar bent into the form of the letter ,s1 remembering1 however1 that the measurement of the length1 referred to above1 must in the case of curved bars be made in a straight line4 ,sometimes the upper bar of the curb-bit will1 on account of the peculiar form of the horse's head1 press against and gall his cheeks4 ,when this is noticed1 most people change the bit1 and get one with a longer mouth-piece2 but where the mouth-piece is of the same length as the width of the mouth1 the proper remedy for this difficulty will be to have the upper bar bent out enough to free the cheeks from its pressure4 ,the curb-bit once made and properly adjusted to the head-stall1 the next step will be to fit it accurately to the horse's mouth4 ,every rider should thoroughly understand not only how to do this1 but also how to place the saddle correctly upon the horse4 ,upon these points nearly all grooms require instruction1 and very few gentlemen1 even1 know how to arrange a side-saddle so as to have it comfortable for both horse and rider4 ,moreover1 should the lady be riding alone1 as frequently happens in the country1 and meet with any accident to saddle or bridle1 or need to have either adjusted1 she would1 without knowledge on these subjects1 be completely helpless1 whereas with it she could promptly remedy the difficulty4 ,illustration3 ,fig4 #af4--,the ,bit adjusted4 #a1 #a1 snaffle-rein2 #b1 #b1 curb-rein4 ,in order to adjust the bit permanently to the head-stall1 so that afterwards the horse can always be properly bridled1 one must proceed as follows3 having first fitted the head-stall to the horse's head by means of the upper buckles1 the bit must then be adjusted1 by means of the lower ones1 in such a manner that the canons of the mouth-piece will rest on the bars of the horse's mouth1 exactly opposite the chin-groove4 7,fig4 #af47 ,should the tusks of the horse be irregularly placed1 the mouth-piece must be adjusted a little higher than the projecting tusks1 so as to just avoid touching them4 ,the curb-chain may now be hooked into the ring of the upper bar on the off-side1 leaving one link loose1 after which the other hook must be fastened to the ring of the bar on the near-side1 leaving two links loose4 ,care should be taken to have the curb-chain rest with its flat surface against the chin-groove in such a way that it will have no tendency to rise up when the reins are pulled upon4 ,the curb-chain should never be tight2 there must always be room enough between it and the chin to insert the first and second fingers of the right hand flatwise2 and1 while the fingers are thus placed1 if the reins are drawn up1 it will be easy to ascertain whether the chain pinches4 ,if1 when the reins are tightened1 the bit stands stiff and immovable1 it will show that the chain is too short and needs to be lengthened a link or two4 ,if the horse gently yields his head to the tightening of the reins1 without suddenly drawing back1 or thrusting out his nose as the tension is increased1 it will prove that the bit is correctly placed4 ,but if the lower bars of the bit can be drawn back quite a distance before the horse will yield to the pull of the reins1 then the chain is too long1 and should be shortened4 ,lightness1 accuracy1 easy motion1 a total absence of stiffness1 constraint1 or painful action1 are the characteristics of good bitting2 and if these be attained1 ready obedience to the rider's hand will be the result4--,f4 ,dwyer4 ,when the bit has once been correctly adjusted to the head-stall and to the horse's mouth1 there will be little difficulty in bridling him upon any subsequent occasion4 ,thus3 standing at the left of the horse's head1 the head-stall1 held by its upper part in the right hand1 should be lifted up in front of the horse's head1 while the left hand1 holding the bit by its mouth-piece1 should put this between the animal's lips1 press it against his teeth1 and into his mouth1 which he will generally open a little in order to admit it4 ,as soon as this has been accomplished1 the upper part of the head-stall must be promptly raised so as to bring its upper strap or band across the forehead1 while at the same time the horse's ears are passed between the forehead band and the strap which forms the upper part of the head-stall4 ,during these manoeuvres1 the curb-chain must be passed under the chin1 so as to rest against the chin-groove1 and care be taken to keep the fingers of the left hand out of the horse's mouth while the mouth-piece is being put in4 ,the bit and head-stall having been properly arranged1 the whole should be secured by buckling the throat-strap loosely on the left side4 ,if this strap be buckled tightly1 the horse will be unable to bend his neck properly4 ,the mouth-piece of the bit should be washed1 dried1 and then rubbed with fresh olive or cotton-seed oil1 each time after use1 to preserve it from rust4 ,neither a rusted bit nor a very cold one should ever be put into a horse's mouth4 ,in frosty winter weather the bit should always be warmed4 ,many a valuable horse has had his mouth seriously injured by having an icy cold mouth-piece put into it1 to say nothing of the pain and suffering it must invariably occasion4 ,in order to produce a neat and pleasing appearance1 there should be no unsightly ends or straps left dangling from the loops of the head-stall4 ,they should be so snugly fitted into their places that they cannot work out of their loops4 ,the forehead band should never be too tight for the horse's comfort1 and the small rosettes that lie over his temples should be well oiled underneath and kept soft4 ,a side-saddle may be made accurately according to all recognized rules1 and yet lose nearly all its good effects by being improperly put on2 the rider will be made uncomfortable1 the horse's back will be injured1 and the saddle will eventually have its padding so compressed in the wrong direction that it will be impossible to put it on in the right way4 ,every lady rider should know as well how to have her saddle properly adjusted as how to sit her horse or manage the reins4 ,on a well-formed horse1 with rather high withers and sloping shoulders1 the centre of the saddle should be placed over the middle of the back1 and be so arranged that the front part of the saddle-tree shall be a very short distance back of the horse's shoulder-blade1 for if allowed to rest upon the shoulder-blade it will interfere very much with the action of the shoulder muscles4 ,it is a common fault of grooms to place the saddle a little sideways1 and too far forward on the withers4 ,the well-taught rider can1 however1 easily decide whether the saddle is in the right position3 standing on the off-side of the horse1 she must pass her right hand under the arch of the saddle-tree1 which should be directly over the withers1 and see whether it sits perfectly even1 bearing no more to one side than to the other2 then stepping behind the horse1 but at a safe distance from his heels1 she can see whether the long central furrow of the under surface of the saddle-seat from front to rear 7chamber7 is in a direct line with the animal's backbone1 and forms an open space over it4 ,if these conditions are fulfilled1 the saddle is properly adjusted4 ,if the horse have rather straight shoulders1 together with a plump1 round body1 the saddle will require to be placed rather farther forward1 but with the chamber still in a line with the backbone4 ,on some horses of this shape1 the saddle1 to be held securely1 will need to be set so far forward that the girths will have to pass close to the fore-legs4 ,a horse of this description is not suitable for the side-saddle1 but as ladies in the country and in the far ,west are sometimes obliged to ride such1 it is very important for their safety to know how these ill-formed animals should be saddled1 because should the saddle be put too far back on such horses1 it will be sure to turn4 ,it not infrequently happens that after the saddle has been placed in the correct position1 it becomes slightly displaced while being fastened4 ,to avoid this1 it should always be girthed on the off-side1 and great care be taken1 when fastening the girths1 especially the first one1 that the saddle be not jerked over to the left2 and that in pulling upon the short strap on the off-side1 to which the girth is to be buckled1 the saddle be not forced to the right4 ,when girthing the saddle1 the lady may place her left hand on the middle of the seat and hold it steady while she arranges the first girth1 and with her right hand draws it as tightly as she can1 without using violent exertion1 or making any sudden jerk2 she will then be able1 with both hands1 to tighten the girth as much as is necessary1 doing this with an even1 regular pull1 so that the saddle will not be moved out of place4 ,before fastening the other girths1 she should step behind the horse and assure herself that the chamber is in a line with the horse's backbone1 as before described4 ,if it is not1 she must loosen the girth1 and1 after straightening the saddle1 proceed as before4 ,the girth to be first fastened is the one nearest the horse's fore-legs2 the second girth is the one back of the first1 and should be placed evenly over the first one and fastened equally tight2 the third is the leather girth which is intended to keep down the saddle-flaps2 this must be placed evenly over the other two1 but it is not essential to have it drawn so tight as they1 but just enough so to hold the flaps4 ,most horses have a trick1 when they are being girthed1 of expanding their sides and abdomen1 for the purpose of securing a loose girthing2 and girths that seem almost too tight when they are first buckled are often found to be too loose after the rider has mounted4 ,too tight a girth is injurious to the horse1 but too loose a one may cause the saddle to turn4 ,a round1 plump horse with low withers will need tighter girthing than a better shaped one4 ,the lady rider should study the shape of her horse1 and use her own judgment as to how tight the girths should be drawn1 making due allowance for the trick alluded to above4 ,if there is any second person present while the saddle is being arranged1 matters may be facilitated if this person will hold the saddle firmly by the off-pommel while the girthing is being done4 ,the author has been thus particular in describing the bit and saddle with their proper arrangement1 as well as the girthing of the horse1 because so few lady riders bestow any attention upon these very important matters2 and yet1 if one desires to ride safely and well1 a knowledge of them is positively necessary4 ,grooms cannot always be depended upon1 and1 indeed1 seldom know much about the side-saddle2 there is an adage which is applicable to many of them3 ,too much must not be expected from the head of him who labors only with his hands4 ,in the instructions given by gentlemen writers1 useful as they may be in many respects1 there is usually a good deal of practical information omitted which a lady rider ought to know1 but the necessity of which it is perhaps impossible for a gentleman fully to appreciate or understand2 this knowledge the lady will have to gain either from her own experience or from one of her own sex who has studied the subject carefully4 ,in preparing for horseback riding1 nothing should be omitted that can give greater security to the rider1 or protect her more completely from accident of any sort4 ,every article should be of the very best material1 so that a breakage or casualty of any kind may be only a remote possibility4 ,the knowledge that everything is right1 and firmly and properly placed1 creates a confidence which adds greatly to the pleasure of the ride4 ,,chapter ,,iv4 ,,mounting ,,and ,,dismounting4 ',stand1 ,bayard1 stand6'--the steed obeyed1 ,with arching neck and bending head1 ,and glancing eye and quivering ear1 ,as if he loved her voice to hear4 ,lady of the ,lake4 ,a novice in riding always experiences in a greater or less degree a sense of trepidation and embarrassment when1 for the first time1 a horse duly caparisoned for a lady rider is put before her1 and she is expected to seat herself in the saddle4 ,if she be a timid person1 the apparent difficulty of this feat occasions a dismay which the good-natured champing of the bit and impatient head shakings of the horse do not tend to diminish4 ,if1 however1 she be accustomed to horses as pets1 and understand their ways1 she will be much less apprehensive about mounting than the lady who has only observed them at a distance and is entirely ignorant of their nature4 ,the author has known ladies1 after their horses had been brought to the door1 to send them back to the stable because courage failed them when it became necessary to trust themselves on the back of an animal of which they knew nothing4 ,to overcome this timidity the lady must become better acquainted with her horse1 and1 to do so1 should visit him occasionally in his stable1 feed him with choice morsels1 and lead him about the yard from time to time4 ,by these means a mutual friendship and confidence will be created1 and the lady will gradually gain enough courage to place herself in the saddle4 ,the first attempt at mounting should be made from a high horse-block with some one to hold the head of the horse and keep him still4 ,turning her right side somewhat toward the horse's left1 and slightly raising the skirt of her riding habit1 the lady should spring from her left foot towards the saddle1 at the same time raising her right leg so that it will pass directly over the second and third pommels4 ,this accomplished1 the left foot may be placed in the stirrup4 ,another method of mounting from a rather high horse-block1 when the pommels are high1 is for the lady to face the horse's left side1 and1 seizing the off-pommel with the right hand and the second one with the left1 to spring towards the saddle from her left foot1 and seat herself sidewise4 ,she can then turn her body so as to face the horse's head1 place her right leg over the second pommel1--adjusting her skirt at the same time1--and slip her left foot into the stirrup and her left knee under the third pommel4 ,should the horse-block be low and the lady short1 she will be obliged to mount somewhat after a man's fashion1 thus3 ,placing her left foot in the stirrup1 and grasping the second pommel with her left hand1 she should spring from her right foot1 and1 as she rises1 grasp the off-pommel with her right hand2 by means of this spring1 aided by the pommels and stirrup1 she can seat herself sideways in the saddle1 turning her body for this purpose just before gaining the seat4 ,in the absence of a horse-block1 from which to mount1 the assistance of a chair or stool should never be resorted to unless there is some one to hold it firm and steady4 ,when the rider is obliged to mount without assistance and from the ground1 if the balance-strap1 before referred to1 be used with her stirrup1 she can let this strap down far enough to enable her to put her foot in the stirrup easily1 and to use it as a sort of stepping-stone by means of which1 and a spring from her right foot1 she can reach the saddle sideways4 ,in doing this she must grasp the second pommel firmly with her left hand1 in which she also should hold her whip and the reins2 on rising she must aid herself by grasping with the right hand the off-pommel as soon as she can reach it4 ,when she is seated1 the stirrup can be adjusted from the off-side by means of the balance-strap4 ,if1 however1 she uses the old-fashioned stirrup-leather1 and there is no assistance of any kind at hand1 neither horse-block1 chair1 nor stool1 not even a fence or steep bank from which to mount1--a situation in which a rider might possibly be placed1--then reaching the saddle becomes a very puzzling affair1 unless the lady be so active that she can spring from the ground to her saddle4 ,to try the plan of lengthening the stirrup-leather will be dangerous1 because1 in order to readjust it after mounting1 she will have to sit on the back part of the saddle1 bend over the horse's left side1 and pull up the stirrup-leather in order to shorten and buckle it2 while in this position1 if the horse should start1 she would probably be thrown instantly4 ,her safest course would be to lead the horse until a place is found where she can mount4 ,if she should have to use a fence for this purpose let her be sure that the posts are firmly fixed in the ground1 and that the boards are neither loose nor easily broken4 ,when mounting1 the whip and reins should be held in the left hand1 the former with the point down1 so that it may not hit the horse1 and the latter grasped just tightly enough to feel the horse's mouth without pulling on it4 ,in order to arrange the folds of the riding skirt after mounting1 the reins and whip must be transferred to the right hand2 then1 resting this hand upon the off-pommel1 the rider should raise herself free from the saddle by straightening her left knee and standing on the stirrup1 also aiding herself by means of the right hand on the pommel4 ,while thus standing she can quickly arrange the skirt with her left hand4 ,none of the methods of mounting just described--with the exception of the first one--are at all graceful1 and they should never be used except in case of absolute necessity4 ,the most graceful way for a lady to reach the saddle1 and the one that is taught in the best riding schools1 is by the assistance of a gentleman4 ,the rider's education will not be complete until she has learned this method of mounting1 which1 when accomplished easily and gracefully1 is delightful to witness4 ,it should be learned after the preliminary lessons at the horse-block have been taken4 ,in using this simple manner of reaching the saddle1 the rider will have three distinct points of support1 namely1 the shoulder of the gentleman who assists her1 the united palms of his hands1 and her own hold upon the pommel4 ,illustration3 ,fig4 #ag4--,lady ready to mount her horse4 ,the stirrup having been placed across the shield of the saddle in front of the pommels1 the lady1 holding the reins and the whip with its point down in her right hand1--which must rest upon the second pommel1--should stand with her right side toward the horse's left1 about four or five inches from it1 her left shoulder being slightly turned back4 ,then1 taking a firm hold upon the second pommel with her right hand1 she should with the left lift her riding skirt enough to enable her to place her left foot fairly and squarely into the gentleman's palms1 which should be clasped firmly together4 ,this done1 she should drop the skirt1 place her left hand upon his right shoulder1 bend her knee1 or give the word ready1 as a signal1 and at once spring from her right foot up and a little towards the horse4 ,the gentleman1 at the same moment1 must raise his hands1 and move them toward the horse4 ,the lady must1 when rising1 press or bear lightly upon his shoulder1 and also keep a firm hold upon the second pommel1 which she must not relinquish until she is seated4 ,if correctly performed1 this manoeuvre will place the rider in the saddle sideways4 ,the gentleman should then remove the stirrup from the front of the saddle1 while the lady transfers the reins to her left hand1 passes her right knee over the second pommel and her left under the third4 ,she will then be ready to have her foot placed in the stirrup4 7,fig4 #ag47 ,it will1 however1 be found very difficult to mount in this manner1 gracefully1 unless the gentleman who assists thoroughly understands his duties2 should he be awkward about helping her1 the lady will find it much better to depend upon the horse-block4 ,if1 for instance1 he should raise his hands too high1 or with too much energy1 when she makes her spring1 he may push her too far over1 or even--if she should loosen her grasp of the second pommel1--cause her to fall from the off-side of the horse4 ,this is a dangerous accident1 and almost certain to occasion severe injuries4 ,on the other hand1 if he does not use energy enough1 or neglects to carry his hands toward the body of the horse as the lady rises1 she may not reach the saddle at all1 and will he apt to fall to the ground on the left side of the horse1 especially if she relinquishes her hold on the second pommel4 ,the gentleman must also be careful not to let his foot rest on the lady's skirt1 as this will pull her back1 and perhaps tear the dress1 as she makes her spring4 ,in assisting a lady to mount1 the gentleman should first arrange the snaffle-reins evenly and of the proper length1 and place them in her right hand1 leaving the curb-reins to lie loosely on the neck of the horse4 ,then1 after putting the stirrup out of the way1 as described above1 he should take a position facing her1 with his left shoulder toward the left shoulder of the horse4 ,clasping his hands together with the palms turned up1 he should stoop sufficiently to enable her to put her left foot upon them1 and1 in raising them as she springs1 he must gradually assume the erect posture4 ,when the lady is seated1 he should return the stirrup to its proper position and place her foot in it1 after first1 with his left hand1 adjusting her skirt so that it will fall evenly2 he should then place the curb-reins in her left hand1 with the others4 ,no gentleman is a finished equestrian1 nor a desirable companion for a lady on horseback1 who does not know how to assist her dexterously and gracefully to mount and dismount4 ,a lady who is not very nimble in her movements1 or who is very heavy1 should be extremely careful in mounting not to accept assistance from a gentleman who is not strong enough to support her weight easily and firmly4 ,it will be much better for her to use a horse-block or something of the kind4 ,but if she does accept the aid of a gentleman1 the following changes in the methods described above have been recommended3 instead of facing her1 he should stand close to her side1 with his face turned in the same direction as hers3 she should then place her left foot in his united hands1 and in order to do so must pass her left leg between his right arm and his body4 ,he will thus be enabled to support and lift her with greater ease1 and1 as she rises1 her left leg will readily escape from under his right arm1 and she will be able to seat herself sideways in the saddle1 as by the former method4 ,during this manoeuvre she must sustain herself by the second pommel1 as in the preceding instance4 ,if a horse is restless and uneasy when being mounted1 he should be held by a third person1 who must stand in front of his head and take a firm hold of the curb-bit on each side1 but without touching the reins1 which should always be held and managed by the rider only4 ,it is always a better plan1 when mounting1 to have the horse held1 although a well-trained horse will stand quietly without such control4 ,mounting is a part of the rider's education which should be carefully studied and practiced1 for when properly and gracefully accomplished it is the very poetry of motion1 and will enable her to display more pliancy and lightness than she can even in the ball-room4 ,there is another branch of the rider's education which also requires careful study1 as it is rarely accomplished satisfactorily1 and is apt to occasion as much embarrassment and dismay to a beginner as mounting4 ,this is dismounting4 ,to alight from a horse easily and well1 without disarranging the dress1 and without being awkwardly precipitated into the arms of the gentleman who assists1 is by no means an easy task1 and very few lady riders accomplish it with skill and address4 ,when assisting his companion from the saddle1 the gentleman should stand about a foot from her with his face toward the horse1 while she1 after taking her foot from the stirrup and disengaging her right leg from the pommel1 must turn her body so as to face him4 ,after putting the stirrup over the shield of the saddle1 as in mounting1 he should then extend his hands so as to support her by the elbows1 while she rests a hand upon each of his shoulders4 ,then1 by giving a gentle spring1 she will glide lightly to the ground1 he meanwhile supporting her with his hands1 and1 as she descends1 bending his body1 and moving his right side slightly backward4 ,she can also assist him to lessen the shock as she touches the ground by bending her knees a little1 as if courtesying4 ,another way of assisting the lady1 especially if she be rather stout and not very active1 is for the gentleman to clasp her waist with both hands1 instead of holding her by the elbows4 ,he should1 in this case1 stand as far from her as he can while still supporting her1 and1 as she descends1 should make a step backward with his right foot1 and turn a little away from the horse1 which should be held by a third person1 in the manner described before1 in mounting4 ,illustration3 ,fig4 #ah4--,lady ready to dismount4 ,another1 and more graceful way of dismounting is the following3 ,the gentleman1 standing about a foot from his companion and directly facing her1 takes in his left hand her bridle1--as near as he can to the horse's mouth1 that he may hold him as firmly and securely as possible1--the lady now drops the reins on the horse's neck1 disengages her foot from the stirrup1 and her leg from the second pommel1 and then seats herself sideways in the saddle1 so as to face her assistant1 who now places the stirrup on the front of the saddle with his right hand2 he then offers his right shoulder to the lady for her support4 ,she1 after gathering up in her left hand a few folds of her riding skirt1 in order to have her feet free when she alights1 places upon his shoulder the hand which holds the skirt1 and with the other1 in which she holds her whip point downward1 grasps the second pommel and springs lightly from the saddle1 the gentleman bending over a little as she descends4 ,on reaching the ground1 she should1 as before described1 bend her knees slightly to lessen the shock of the descent4 7,fig4 #ah47 ,in all these modes of dismounting1 the lady1 before attempting to alight1 should be sure that her skirt is quite free from the pommels1 especially from the second one1 and that it is so adjusted that it will not be trodden upon when she reaches the ground1 but will fall evenly about her1 without being in any way disarranged4 ,it happens not infrequently that a lady is obliged to dismount without any one to assist her1 and in this case she should ride up to a horse-block so as to bring the left side of her horse close to it1 let the curb reins fall upon his neck1 retaining1 however1 the whip and snaffle-reins in her left hand1 and then1 removing her foot from the stirrup and her right leg from the pommel1 she should seat herself a little sideways upon the saddle4 ,now1 with a slight turn of her shoulders to the right1 she should place her left hand--still holding the whip and reins--upon the second pommel1 and her right hand upon the off one1 and thus alight sideways with her face toward the horse's head4 ,in effecting this manoeuvre1 she must be careful to retain her hold upon the snaffle-reins and also upon the second pommel until she is safe upon the horse-block2 she must also remember the caution given before1 in regard to having her skirts free from the pommels4 ,to dismount upon the ground1 or upon a very low horse-block1 without assistance1 is a difficult feat to execute gracefully1 but some young ladies in the country1 who are active and light1 accomplish it so easily and quickly that they do not appear awkward4 ,the manner in which this is to be done is nearly the same as that just explained1 the only difference being1 that the gliding down must be effected quickly and lightly1 and the rider1 as she passes down1 must release her hold upon the off-pommel1 but retain that upon the second1 also taking care to have the reins quite loose4 ,this mode of alighting is1 however1 entirely out of place except in the country1 where assistance cannot always be had readily1 or in cases where the lady is obliged to dismount very quickly4 ,if the lady rider1 after carefully studying these different methods of mounting and dismounting with assistance1 will select the one she thinks suits her best1 and then practice it a few times with her gentleman escort1 she will soon find herself able to perform with ease these apparently difficult feats1 and will have no need of resorting to a horse-block1 nor to some secluded spot1 where she can mount or dismount unobserved4 ,a lady once told the author that the pleasure of her daily ride was at one time almost spoiled by the knowledge that she must mount and dismount in front of a hotel1 the piazza of which was always crowded with observers1 for1 not having been properly taught to execute these manoeuvres1 she was rather awkward at them4 ,she1 however1 placed herself under correct tuition1 and soon overcame the difficulty4 ,she can now execute these movements with such grace and elegance as to fascinate gentlemen1 and excite the envy of rival belles who are still obliged to seek the aid of a horse-block4 ,,chapter ,v4 ,,the ,,seat ,,on ,,horseback4 ,bounded the fiery steed in air1 ,the rider sat erect and fair1 ,then like a bolt from steel cross-bow ,forth launched1 along the plain they go4 ,lady of the ,lake4 ,a correct seat is very seldom attained by the self-taught lady rider1 for her attitude on the horse is so artificial that she cannot1 like the gentleman rider1 whose seat is more easy and natural1 fall directly into the proper position4 ,competent instruction alone can enable her to gain the safe and easy posture which will give the least possible fatigue to herself and to her horse4 ,it is true that a natural rider1 or she who professes to ride instinctively1 may to-day accidentally assume the proper position in the saddle1 but1 as she has no rule by which to guide herself1 and is entirely unacquainted with the whys and wherefores of a correct seat1 she will to-morrow assume the incorrect position1 so natural to a self-taught rider1 and the pleasant ride of to-day will be followed by a rough and unpleasant one to-morrow4 ,on the one occasion1 the poor horse will receive much praise for his easy motion1 and on the next be highly censured for the roughness of his gait1 for the lady will not suspect that the real difficulty lies in her own ignorance of a correct attitude1 and in her bad management of the poor beast4 ,upon the position of the upper part of the body depends not only grace and pliancy1 and that harmony between horse and rider which is so highly desirable and1 indeed1 necessary1 but also the ability to manage the reins properly2 for1 if the rider be not well balanced1 her hands will be unsteady1 and seldom in the right position for controlling the animal4 ,but the proper position of the body above the saddle depends upon the correct arrangement of the lower limbs2 if they are not in the right position1 the rider will lean too far forward1 or too far back1 or too much to one side or the other4 ,she will also lose all firmness of seat1 and1 consequently1 all safety in riding4 ,this faulty position of the lower limbs has been1 and still is1 the occasion of much incorrect riding1 but is a point which is seldom regarded by the gentleman teacher4 ,he1 indeed1 cannot possibly know how the legs are arranged1 when they are covered by the riding skirt1 and probably seldom gives the subject any thought2 yet he wonders1 after carefully watching and correcting the position of the body1 why his pupil does not retain the erect position as directed4 ,a lady teacher of experience is1 therefore1 much to be preferred to a gentleman1 unless the lady pupil is willing to wear1 while taking her lessons1 trousers similar to those worn during calisthenic exercises4 ,it sometimes happens that a lady1 even after being carefully instructed how to sit in the saddle1 and when she seems to understand what is necessary1 will yet present a very erect but stiff appearance1 as if she were made of cast-iron1 or some other unyielding material4 ,this may be due to nervousness1 fear1 tight-lacing1 or affectation4 ,practice in riding1 loose corsets1 and less affectation1 will soon remedy this stiffness4 ,another faulty position is one which may be termed the dead weight seat1 which is only possible when riding on an ,english saddle4 ,it consists in sitting or bearing chiefly upon the left side of the saddle1 the right leg firmly grasping the second pommel1 and the left leg squeezed tightly between the stirrup and the third pommel1 as if held in a vise4 ,in this position the rider will be fastened to her horse as closely as if she were a package of merchandise strapped upon the back of a pack-horse4 ,she will appear indolent and inanimate1 besides riding heavily1 and thus distressing and discouraging her horse2 for a well-trained horse will always prefer to keep in unison with the movements of his rider1 but will find it impossible to do so1 when she adopts this constrained1 unyielding seat4 ,the rider will also be made miserable1 for the constant effort to keep steady by a continuous pressure of the left knee against the third pommel will not only prove wearisome1 but will be apt to bruise her knee1 as well as strain the muscles of the upper part of the leg1 and the next day she will feel very stiff and lame4 ,in addition to which it will be impossible for her to rise in the ,english trot1 or to move her body to the right in the gallop or canter when the horse leads with his left leg4 ,moreover1 should the lady who thus hangs upon the pommel be rather heavy1 her horse's back will be sure to receive more or less injury1 no matter how well the saddle may be made and padded4 ,although the second pommel should be firmly grasped by the right knee1 and the left knee be strongly pressed up against the third one1 when the horse is unruly or trying to unseat his rider1 these supports should not be habitually employed1 but kept for critical situations1 and even then the body must be kept erect1 yet flexible4 ,a rider who depends entirely upon the pommels to enable her to keep her seat is a bad rider1 who will soon acquire all kinds of awkward and ridiculous positions1 and expose herself to much severe criticism4 ,the opposite of the dead-weight seat is what may be termed the wabbling seat4 ,this is seen where the old-fashioned saddle is used2 the rider1 instead of sitting firm and erect1 bounds up and down like a rubber ball tossed by an unseen hand4 ,this can be remedied by the substitution of the ,english saddle1 whose third pommel1 when used judiciously and aided by a proper balance of the body1 will give the required firmness of seat1 which should be neither too rigid nor too yielding4 ,illustration3 ,fig4 #ai4--;,correct ,seat for a ,lady4 ,back ,view4 ,the correct seat1 universally adopted by finished riders1 is the following3 ,the lady should seat herself exactly on the centre of the saddle1 with her body erect1 and her backbone in a direct line with that of the horse1 at a right angle with it4 ,a spectator can readily tell whether the rider is in the centre of the saddle by observing whether the space between the buttons on the hind flaps of her riding-jacket corresponds with the backbone of the horse1 and also with the chamber of the saddle4 7,fig4 #ai47 ,or the lady can herself decide the question by placing her fingers between these two buttons1 and then carrying the former in a straight line directly down to the chamber of the saddle2 if these coincide1 and if she has placed herself far enough back on the saddle to be able to grasp the second pommel comfortably with her right knee1 while the left one is just spanned by the third pommel1 then she is in a position to ride with ease to herself and horse1 for she now sits upon that part of the animal which is the centre of motion in his forward movement1 and in this position can keep in unison with the cadence of his various gaits4 ,again1 her weight being exactly upon the centre of motion1 she can with difficulty be unseated or shaken off by the most violent efforts of the horse1 for1 whether he springs suddenly forward1 or sideways1 or whirls around1 the rider is in a position at once to anticipate his movement1 to keep a firm seat1 and quickly to gain her balance4 ,when the horse advances straight forward1 the rider--sitting with head erect and her body so placed that its entire front is directed toward the horse's head1 or1 in other words1 that a straight line drawn from one hip to the other would form a right angle with one drawn along the centre of the horse's head and neck--must throw her shoulders somewhat back1 so as to expand her chest1 taking care1 however1 to keep the shoulders in line1 and not to elevate one more than the other4 ,there should also be1 at the back of the waist1 a slight inward bend which will throw the front of the waist a little forward4 ,the arms1 from the shoulders to the elbows1 must hang perpendicularly1 and the elbows be held loosely but steadily and in an easy manner1 near the rider's sides1 and not be allowed to flap up and down with every movement4 ,the hands must be held low and about three or four inches from the body4 ,the bearing of the head1 the backward throw of the shoulders1 and the curve at the waist1 are exactly like those assumed by a finished waltzer1 and if the reader is herself a dancer1 or will notice the carriage of a good dancer gliding around the ball-room1 she can readily understand the attitude required for a correct seat in the saddle4 ,the right knee should grasp the second pommel firmly1 but not hang upon it in order to help the rider keep her seat and balance4 ,the right leg1 from the hip to the knee1 must be kept as steady as possible1 because from a woman's position in the saddle1 the movements of her horse tend to throw her toward his left side1 and she must guard against this by bearing slightly toward his right4 ,from the knee to the foot1 the right leg must be in contact with the fore-flap of the saddle1 the heel being inclined backward a little4 ,the left knee should be placed just below the third pommel1 so that this will span it lightly1 close enough to assist in preserving a firm seat1 yet not so close as to interfere with the action of the leg in the ,english trot4 ,from the knee to the foot this left leg must be held in a straight line perpendicular to the ground1 and the knee be lightly pressed against the side-flap of the saddle4 ,the ball of the foot must be placed evenly in the stirrup1 the heel being a little lower than the toes1 which should be pointed toward the shoulder of the horse4 7,fig4 #bj47 ,illustration3 ,fig4 #bj4--;,correct seat for a lady4 ,side view4 #a1 third pommel2 #b1 second pommel4 ,if the rider will seat herself in the saddle in the manner just described1 she will find that she has a very firm seat1 from which she cannot easily be displaced2 but in order to appear graceful she must be flexible1 and adapt herself readily to the motions of her horse4 ,the shoulders1 for example1 although thrown back1 must not be rigid1 and the body1 while erect1 must be supple2 the head be upright and free1 and1 in the leap1 or when circling in the gallop1 the body must be pliant1 yielding and bending with the movements of the horse1 but always resuming afterward the easy erect position4 ,but it must be borne in mind that the above directions in regard to carriage apply to the times when the horse is moving1 and need not be observed in full rigor at other times4 ,when1 for instance1 the horse is standing1 the rider may assume a more easy posture1 collecting herself and steed simultaneously when she wishes him to move4 ,the novice in riding should never be allowed to touch rein or whip until she has acquired a good seat1 and a correct balance4 ,during her first lessons1 some one should ride by her side and lead her horse1 while she1 folding her hands in front of her waist1 should give all her attention to gaining a correct seat2 or1 she may practice circling to the right by means of the lunge line1 which will prove excellent training1 and will teach her to bear toward the off or right side1 for it has already been stated that the motion in the side-saddle has a tendency to impel the rider toward the left1 and this tendency must always be guarded against by bearing the body a little to the right4 ,circling to the right1 when riding in the track of the riding-school1 is also a useful exercise for this purpose1 but as riding-schools are not always to be had conveniently1 the lunge line will be found very useful1 many riders1 indeed1 considering it even better than riding in the ring1 as it keeps the horse well up to his gait4 ,during a few of the first lessons1 that the rider may not fall from the saddle1 the stirrup-leather may be somewhat shortened1 but as soon as an idea of the proper balance has been acquired and the reins and whip are placed in her hands1 the stirrup must be lengthened1 as this secures a firmer and more easy seat4 ,this leather will be of the correct length when1 by a little pressure on it with her foot1 and a simultaneous straightening of her knee1 the rider can spring upward about four or five inches from the saddle2 but it must never be so long as to render the third pommel nearly1 if not quite1 useless4 ,it is better to have the first lessons in riding rather short1 so that the pupil may become gradually accustomed to the exercise4 ,as soon as she begins to feel at all fatigued1 she should at once dismount1 and not try to ride again until the tired feeling is wholly gone4 ,these intervals of fatigue will gradually become less and less frequent1 until at last the rider will find herself so strong and vigorous that riding will no longer require any fatiguing effort4 ,in the case of an active1 healthy woman1 accustomed to exercise of various kinds1 these short preliminary lessons may not be necessary2 her muscles will be already so well developed that she will not be easily fatigued by exercise of any kind4 ,but for a lady who has always been physically inactive1 these short lessons at first are absolutely necessary4 ,the general system of such a person has become enfeebled1 her muscles are weak and flabby1 and any sudden or long continued exercise would tend to produce very injurious results1 so that riding1 unless begun very gradually1 would probably do her more harm than good4 ,but after reading all the directions just given about riding1 the reader may ask what need there is of so much study and circumspection to enable a woman to mount a horse and ride him1 when hundreds of ladies ride every day1 and enjoy doing so1 without knowing anything about the make of the saddle1 or the position they ought to take when seated in it4 ,although it seems almost a pity to disturb the serenity and self-complacency of ignorance1 we shall be obliged1 in justice to those who really wish to understand the principles of good horsewomanship1 to point out some of the mistakes of those who think that riding is an accomplishment which can be acquired without instruction and study4 ,it is not too sweeping an assertion to state that1 of one hundred ladies who attempt a display of what they consider their excellent horsewomanship in our streets and parks1 ninety-five are very imperfect riders2 and the five who do ride well have only learned to do so by means of careful study and competent instruction4 ,they have fully appreciated the fact that nature never ushered them into the world finished riders1 any more than accomplished grammarians or ,latin scholars1 and that although one may possess a natural aptitude for an accomplishment1 application1 study1 and practice are positively necessary to enable her to attain any degree of perfection in it4 ,yet the idea unfortunately prevails very largely in this country that women require very little instruction to become good riders1 and the results of this belief are apparent in the ninety-five faulty riders already referred to4 ,let us now watch some of the fair ,americans whom the first balmy day of spring has tempted out for a horseback ride1 and notice the faulty positions in which they have contrived to seat themselves in their saddles4 ,with regard to their beauty1 elegance of form1 and style of dress1 nothing more could be desired2 but1 alas6 the same cannot be said of their manner of riding4 ,illustration3 ,fig4 #ba4--;,crooked ,position in ,saddle4 ,miss ,x4 ,take ,miss ,x4 and ,mrs4 ,y41 for examples4 ,these ladies have the reputation of being fine and fearless horsewomen1 and certainly do ride with that dash and confidence which long practice in the saddle is sure to give1 but we regret to say that we can bestow no further praise upon them4 ,miss ,x4 has taken a position that is almost universal with ,american horsewomen1 and is exactly the one which a rider nearly always assumes when seated sideways on a horse without a saddle4 ,instead of sitting squarely1 with the entire front of her body facing in the direction toward which the horse is going1 she sits crosswise4 ,it will be seen by looking at ,fig4 #ba1 that the central vertical line of her back1 instead of being directly in the centre of the saddle1 is placed toward the right corner of it1 and that her shoulders are out of line1 the left one being thrown back1 and the right one advanced forward4 ,this position makes it impossible for her to keep in unison with her horse when he is moving straight forward at an easy pace4 ,when he changes his gait to a canter the rider will1 for a short distance1 appear to be more in harmony with him1 because he is now turning himself slightly to the left and leading with his right fore-leg1 a position which is more in unison with that of his rider4 ,but1 after a short time1 the horse gets tired of this canter1 turns to the right1 and leads with his left fore-leg4 ,this change entirely destroys the apparent harmony which had before existed between the two4 ,the lady1 knowing nothing about the position of a horse when galloping or cantering1 is ignorant of the fact that he always turns a little to the right or left according to the leg with which he leads1 and that she ought to place her body in a corresponding position4 ,she has but one position in the saddle1--the crooked one already described1--and this she maintains immovably through all the changes of her horse's gaits4 ,illustration3 ,fig4 #bb4--;,crooked ,position in ,saddle4 ,mrs4 ,y4 ,let us now turn to ,mrs4 ,y41 who is even a more faulty rider than her companion4 ,she has likewise taken a crosswise position in the saddle2 but having given a peculiar twist to her body so that1 by turning her right shoulder backward1 she can look to the right1 she seems to imagine that by these means she has placed herself squarely upon the saddle4 7,fig4 #bb47 ,as she is riding a racking horse and seated on a two-pommeled saddle1 she holds the reins firmly in her left hand and by a steady pull on them she balances herself and keeps her horse up to his gait4 ,but this steady pull will soon ruin the tenderness and sensitiveness of any horse's mouth1 and this is the reason why racking horses generally have very hard mouths1 many of them requiring to be well held up or supported in their rack by the reins4 ,as this pulling upon the reins also gives considerable support to the rider1 many ladies prefer a racking horse4 ,now notice ,mrs4 ,y41 who is attempting to turn her hard-mouthed racker4 ,instead of doing this by an almost imperceptible movement of the hand1 her left hand and arm can be distinctly seen to move1 and to fairly pull the animal around4 ,her right hand--probably acting in sympathy with the left1 so tightly clasped over the reins--holds the whip as if it were in a vise intended to crush it4 ,in odd contrast with the rigidly held hands is the body with its utter lack of firmness4 ,it can be seen at a glance why the lady will only ride an easy racker1 for it is well known that on a good racker or pacer the body of a rider in a faulty position is not jolted so much as in other gaits4 ,for this reason also the rack and pace are the favorite gaits of most ,american horsewomen4 ,nearly every lady who rides has an ambition to be considered a finished horsewoman1 but this she can never be until she is able to ride properly the trot and gallop1 can keep herself in unison with her horse1 whether he leads with the left or right fore-leg1 and has hands that will give and take with the horse's movements and bring him up to his best gait4 ,from this point of view1 ,miss ,x4 and ,mrs4 ,y41 then1 are by no means the splendid riders that their friends suppose them1 but having all the confidence of ignorance they ride fast and boldly and with a certain abandon that is pleasing2 but by those who understand what good riding is1 they must always be regarded as very faulty riders4 ,illustration3 ,fig4 #bc4--;,incorrect position of legs and feet4 ,side view4 ,another common fault1 against which we have already warned the reader1 is that of riding with too short a stirrup-leather1 thus pressing the left knee up against the third pommel1 carrying the left heel backward and slightly upward1 and dropping the toes of the left foot more or less down toward the ground1 while those of the right are raised and pointed toward the horse's head4 7,fig4 #bc47 ,although the lower limbs are concealed by the skirt1 it can easily be told whether they are in the position just described1 from the effect produced upon the upper part of the body1 which then leans too far forward and too much to the right 7,fig4 #bd72 while the rider1 in her efforts to balance herself1 inclines her shoulders to the left4 ,this is a very awkward as well as a very dangerous attitude1 because1 by thrusting her leg backwards1 the action of spurring is imitated1 and1 if the horse is very high-spirited1 this may cause him to become restive1 or even to run away4 ,should the leg1 moreover1 as is very apt to be the case1 be firmly and steadily pressed against the animal's side1 he may suddenly pirouette or turn around to the right1 especially if he has been accustomed to carrying gentlemen as well as ladies4 ,this short stirrup-leather and improper use of the third pommel should be carefully avoided4 ,illustration3 ,fig4 #bd4--;,incorrect ,position when ,legs and ,feet are wrongly placed4 ,the use of too long a stirrup-leather is apt to be the mistake of those who ride upon the old-fashioned saddle1 but is a fault which has become much less common since the ,english saddle has been more generally used4 ,the objection to too long a stirrup-leather is that1 when the foot is pressed upon it1 the leg at the same time is straightened1 and extends down so far as to cause the rider to sit too much to the left of the saddle4 ,as the pressure and weight are thus thrown wholly upon the left side1 the saddle is very likely to turn1 and if this faulty position be persisted in1 it will be certain to injure the horse's back and may give rise to fistulous withers4 ,besides looking very awkward and inelegant1 when stooping forward in the saddle and rounding the back without the slightest curve inwardly1 the rider will also run great risk1 if her horse stumbles or makes any sudden movement1 of being unseated1 or at least thrown violently against the front of the saddle1 as it is almost impossible for her1 under such circumstances1 to adapt herself to the change in his motion quickly enough to preserve her equilibrium4 ,in all violent movements of the horse1 except rearing1 the body must be inclined backward1 so as to keep the balance4 ,when he is moving briskly in his ordinary gaits1 the body must be kept erect2 and when he is turning a corner rapidly1 it should be inclined backward somewhat1 and toward the inner bend of the horse's body2 or1 in other words1 toward the centre of the circle1 of which the turn forms a segment4 ,here come two ladies who have evidently received very limited instructions in the art of riding4 ,notice how the head of one is thrust forward1 while the other1 though holding her head erect allows it to be jerked about with every motion of her horse4 ,it shakes slowly when the animal is walking1 but as he quickens his pace to a canter1 it rocks with his motion1 and1 during his fast pace1 the poor head moves so rapidly as to make one fear that the neck may become dislocated1 while the arms dance about simultaneously with the movements of the head in a way that reminds one of the toy dancing-jacks1 pulled by an unseen hand for the amusement of children4 ,the head should1 in riding1 be kept firm and erect1 without stiffness1 the chin being drawn in slightly1 and not protruding high in the air1 because the latter gives one a supercilious look4 ,the head and shoulders should adapt themselves1 in their direction1 to the movements of the head and fore-legs of the horse1 and the arms should be held as steady as possible4 ,but here come several ladies who have taken lessons at the riding-school and may1 therefore1 reasonably be expected to be finished riders2 but such1 alas6 is not the case4 ,they have been trying to walk before they could creep1 or1 in other words1 their lessons in riding have been conducted too hastily4 ,they have begun to try a canter or a rapid gallop before they knew how to sit correctly upon their horses1 or even to manage them properly in a walk4 ,this desire to make too rapid progress is more frequently the fault of the pupil than of the riding teacher4 ,most teachers have an ambition to make finished riders of their pupils1 and take much pride in doing so1 especially as such a result adds greatly to the prestige of their school4 ,this ambition is often defeated1 however1 by the impatience of the pupils1 who are not satisfied to learn slowly and well1 but overrule the teacher's objections and undertake to gallop before they have acquired even the first principles of horsewomanship4 ,moreover1 many of these ladies never take any road lessons1 so highly important to all who would become thoroughly accomplished in this art2 nor do they remain long enough under instruction in the school1 but seem to think that a few short lessons are enough to make them finished riders4 ,they often refuse to learn the ,english trot1 although this is a very important accomplishment for the beginner1 as it enables her to gain a correct idea of the balance4 ,or1 if they do attempt to learn it1 they insist upon circling only to the right1 as this is easier than going the other way4 ,again1 many pupils will insist upon riding the same favorite horse1 instead of leaving the selection to the judgment of the teacher1 who is well aware that it is much better for the lady's progress that she should ride a variety of horses with different gaits4 ,he is often driven to his wit's end when two or three ladies who patronize his school1 and whom it is an honor to have as pupils1 express a desire to ride the same horse on the same occasion4 ,should he favor one more than the others1 the latter will become highly offended1 and the poor man in his perplexity is often obliged to resort to some subterfuge to pacify them4 ,it is not difficult1 then1 to understand why some ladies1 although they have taken lessons at a riding-school1 are1 nevertheless1 not finished riders1 their faults being due1 not to the instruction but to their own lack of judgment or inattention4 ,it is true that occasionally the teacher1 although he may be an excellent instructor for gentlemen1 is not so good a one for ladies1 or he may become careless1 believing that if he gives them well-trained horses to ride very little else is required of him4 ,or1 again1 he may think1 as many foreigners do1 that very few ,american ladies know how a woman should ride1 and are satisfied with being half taught4 ,it cannot be too strongly impressed upon riding teachers that in every riding-school where ladies are to be taught there should be at least one lady assistant4 ,a gentleman can give all the necessary instructions about the management of the horse and the handling of the reins better than most ladies2 but1 in giving the idea of a correct seat and the proper disposal of the limbs1 the presence of a lady assistant becomes necessary2 in these matters she can instruct her own sex much better than a man can4 ,,chapter ,,vi4 ,,to ,,hold ,,the ,,reins1 ,,and ,,manage ,,the ,,horse4 ,what a wild thought of triumph1 that this girlish hand ,such a steed in the might of his strength may command6 ,what a glorious creature6 ,ah6 glance at him now1 ,as ,i check him awhile on this green hillock's brow2 ,how he tosses his mane1 with a shrill1 joyous neigh1 ,and paws the firm earth in his proud1 stately play6 ,,grace ,,greenwood4 ,the position of the rider in the saddle has a decided influence upon the horse's mouth1 rendering his movements regular or irregular1 according to the correctness and firmness of the seat2 for1 if the rider be unsteady or vacillating in the saddle1 this will exert an influence upon the hand1 rendering it correspondingly unstable1 and will thereby cause the horse's movements to be variable4 ,and should she endeavor to remedy this unsteadiness of hand and seat by supporting herself upon the reins1 the horse will defend himself against such rigid traction by making counter-traction upon the reins1 thrusting his head forward1 throwing himself heavily upon his fore-legs1 thus forcing the hands of the rider1 and compelling her to support the weight of his neck and shoulders4 ,on the contrary1 if she be firm in her seat1 and not in the least dependent upon the reins1 her hand will be light1 and the animal will yield a ready obedience and advance in his best pace4 ,the preceding remarks explain why a horse will go lightly with one rider and heavily with another4 ,a lady should have a thorough knowledge of the management of her horse1 and of the means by which she may command him in every degree of speed1 and under all circumstances2 without this knowledge she can never become a safe and accomplished horsewoman4 ,a gentleman may guide and control his horse1 and obtain obedience from a restive one1 by a firm1 strong hand1 and by his courage and determined will2 but as a rule1 a lady cannot depend upon these methods2 she will have to rely entirely upon the thorough training of her horse1 a properly arranged bit1 her firm1 yet delicate touch1 and her skill in handling the reins4 ,the well-trained hand of a woman is always energetic enough to obtain the mastery of her horse1 without having to resort to feats of strength and acrobatic movements2 and a lady should never seek to gain prestige by riding restless or vicious horses1 in order that she may display her skill in conquering them2 though every rider should be thoroughly taught how to control her steed in cases of emergency4 ,when one sees how little skill most lady riders exhibit in managing the reins1 it seems almost miraculous that so few accidents occur to them1 and is indeed a positive proof of the excellent temper of their horses4 ,from some mysterious cause1 most horses will bear more awkwardness and absurdity in the handling of the reins by a woman than by a man1 and will good-naturedly submit to the indifferent riding of the gentle being in the side-saddle1 while the same character of riding and treatment from a man would arouse every feeling of defense and rebellion4 ,the probable cause of this difference of action on the part of the horse is1 that a lady rider1 with all her ignorance of seat and rein1 will talk kindly to and pet her steed1 and will rarely lose her temper1 no matter in what eccentricities he may indulge1 and her gentleness causes the animal to remain gentle4 ,on the contrary1 when a man throws his weight upon the reins1 jerking and pulling upon them1 his horse1 seeking to defend himself against such rough measures1 arouses the temper of his rider1 and this anger is soon communicated to the animal1 which then becomes obstinate and rebellious2 moreover1 a man will often whip and spur for some trivial offense in instances where a woman would simply speak to her horse1 or take no notice4 ,hence1 the ignorant horsewoman often rides in safety under circumstances in which the ignorant horseman1 who has resorted to violent measures1 meets with an accident4 ,although a horse may submit to an awkward rider and carry her with safety1 still she will have no power to make him move in his best and most regular manner1 and there will exist no intelligence or harmony between the two4 ,yet this same horse1 when mounted by a lady who understands the management of the reins1 will be all animation and happiness4 ,there will soon be established a tacit understanding between the two1 and the graceful curvetings and prancings of the steed will manifest his pride and joy in carrying and obeying a gentle woman1 who manages the reins with spirit and resolution1 and yet does not1 with the cruelty of ignorance or indifference1 convert them into instruments of torture4 ,the reins should not be employed until a firm1 steady position upon the saddle has been acquired1 and then1 for first lessons1 the snaffle only should be used1 a rein in each hand4 ,it will be better to have the reins marked at equal distances from the bit1 either by sewing colored thread across each1 or otherwise2 this will be useful because1 with the novice1 the reins will imperceptibly slip through her hands1 or one rein will become longer than the other1 and the markings will enable her to notice these displacements1 and promptly to remedy them4 ,by holding the snaffle-reins separately1 in first lessons1 the pupil will be aided in assuming a square position upon the saddle1 and will likewise be prevented from throwing back her right shoulder1 out of line with the left1 a common fault with beginners1 especially when the reins are held only in the left hand4 ,this rein-hold is very simple2 the right rein of the snaffle must be held in the right hand1 and the left rein in the left4 ,illustration3 ,fig4 #be4--,snaffle-reins2 one in each hand4 ,the hands being closed1 but not too tightly1 must be held with their backs toward the horse's head1 and each rein1 as it ascends from the bit1 must be passed between the third and fourth fingers of its appropriate hand1 carried across the inner surface of the third1 second1 and first fingers1 and then be drawn over the outside 7or side next to the thumb7 of the first finger1 against which it must be held by firm pressure of the thumb4 ,the thumbs must be held opposite each other and uppermost1 the finger-nails toward the body1 and the back of the wrists must be rounded a little outwardly1 so as to make a slight bend of the closed hand toward the body4 ,the little fingers must be held down and nearly in a horizontal line with the tips of the elbows2 and the hands be kept as low as possible1 without resting upon the knees1 and be about four inches distant from the body1 and from four to six inches apart4 7,fig4 #be47 ,this arrangement of hands and reins may be termed the original position when a snaffle-rein is held in each hand1 of which all the others are variations4 ,in this position1--the reins being held just short enough to feel the horse's mouth1--if the hands be now slightly relaxed by turning the nails and thumbs toward the body1 the latter being1 at the same time1 inclined a little forward1 the horse will be enabled to advance freely1 and1 as soon as he moves onward1 the original position of the hands must be gently resumed4 ,it is proper to remark here1 that when using the snaffle-reins only1 the curb-bit should always be in the horse's mouth1 its reins being tied and allowed to rest upon his neck1 although the pupil must not be allowed to meddle with it4 ,the presence of the curb in the horse's mouth1 although not used1 has a restraining influence1 especially with an animal accustomed to it4 ,to turn the horse to the right1 the right rein must be shortened so as to be felt at the right side of his mouth2 to effect this1 the little finger of the right hand must1 by a turn of the wrist1 be moved in toward the body and sufficiently toward the left1 with the nails up and the knuckles down1 while1 in order to aid the horse1 the rider will simultaneously turn her face and shoulders slightly to the right4 ,the animal having made the turn1 the hand must gently return to the original position1 and the body again face to the front4 ,to turn the horse to the left1 the left rein must be shortened1 by a turn of the left wrist1 carrying the little finger of the left hand toward the body and to the right1 nails upward1 etc41 while the pupil will slightly turn her face and shoulders to the left4 ,the turn having been effected1 the original position must be resumed1 the pupil1 in all these cases1 taking great care that the markings on her reins are even and in the correct position4 ,to stop the horse1 both reins must be shortened evenly2 this must be accomplished by a turn of both wrists that will bring the little fingers toward the body with the finger-nails uppermost1 the body of the pupil being1 at the same time1 slightly inclined backward4 ,now1 by bending the wrists to a still greater degree1 and bringing the hands in closer to the body1 which must be inclined a little forward1 and nearly in contact with each other1 thus throwing more strength upon the reins1 the horse will be compelled to back4 ,to make him move on again1 the hands and body must resume the original position1 and the hands must be relaxed1 etc41 as stated above4 ,when the pupil becomes more advanced1 and can command her horse1 in all his gaits1 with the reins separate1 one in each hand1 she will then be prepared for lessons in handling both reins with the left hand only1 still employing the snaffle1 as her touch may not be delicate enough for the curb4 ,illustration3 ,fig4 #bf4--,snaffle-reins2 both in the left hand4 ,for this purpose1 the reins being held for the time being in the right hand1 the left1 having its back toward the horse's head1 will seize them as follows3 its little finger must be passed directly between the two reins1 the left rein being on the outer side of this finger and the right one on its right side1 between it and the third finger4 ,this done1 the reins must be drawn up nearly even to the marks upon them1#d so as just to feel the animal's mouth1 noticing that these marks are nearly on a line with each other1 while that portion of the reins lying within the hand must be carried across its palm to the index finger1 to a point between its first and second joints1 against which point1 being placed evenly with one overlying the other1 they are to be firmly held by pressure of the thumb2 the right hand may now quit its hold upon the reins4 7,fig4 #bf47 ,footnote #d3 ,it is stated in this paragraph that the marks on the reins should be nearly even1 or nearly on a line with each other1 because1 in its passage under the little finger1 across the hand1 and on the outside of the right rein1 the left one will be shortened so that its marking will be about half an inch nearer the bit than that of the right one2 consequently1 in order to make the pressure upon the horse's mouth even1 the right rein will have to be shortened to the extent named4 ,the reins having been properly placed in the left hand according to the directions just given1 this hand1 being closed1 but not too tightly1 must be held at a distance of about three inches from the front part of the waist1 with the wrist slightly rounded1 the nails toward the body1 the back of the hand toward the horse's head1 and the little finger down and a little nearer the body than the others4 ,the under surface of the bridle arm and hand1 from the tip of the elbow to the first joint of the little finger1 should be held nearly in a horizontal line4 ,the elbow must be held somewhat close to the side but not in contact with it1 and should be kept steady4 ,care must be taken1 when the reins are held in the left hand1 that the right shoulder be not thrown back1 nor the left one elevated1 faulty positions common to beginners when not otherwise instructed4 ,the right arm should be allowed to hang easily and steadily at the side1 the whip being lightly held in it1 with its point downward4 ,when the snaffle-reins are held in the left hand as described1 we may term this the original position1 of which all the others are variations4 ,in order that the horse may move onward1 the left hand1 holding the reins as just described1 should be relaxed by turning the thumb downward and toward the body until the back of the hand is up and the finger-nails down2 at the same time1 the pupil should slightly incline her body forward1 being careful not to round the shoulders1--aiding the movement by the voice1 or1 if necessary1 by a gentle tap of the whip4 ,the horse having started onward1 the original position must be gently resumed4 ,in order to turn the horse to the right1 the left wrist must be turned so as to bring the nails down and the knuckles up1--the thumb being toward the body1--at the same time carrying the little finger slightly to the left1 and drawing the reins a little upward4 ,this movement will effect the necessary shortening of the right rein1 without allowing any looseness of the left one4 ,the turn having been accomplished1 the hand must resume the original position4 ,it must not be forgotten1 that while making this turn the face and shoulders must be turned somewhat to the right1 or in the direction in which the horse is moving4 ,to turn to the left1 the bridle-hand being in the original position1 its wrist must be turned so as to carry the finger-nails up1 and the knuckles down1 simultaneously moving the little finger toward the right and pressing it against the left rein1 both reins being drawn slightly upward4 ,this manoeuvre shortens the left rein1 without relaxing the right4 ,in this turn the movements of the horse should be aided by the rider's face and shoulders being turned a little to the left4 ,the turn having been made1 the original position must be resumed4 ,the horse may be stopped by simply turning the wrist so as to carry the finger-nails up1 the knuckles down1 and the little finger toward the body1 which must be slightly inclined backward4 ,now1 by bracing the muscles of the hand1 bending the wrist and carrying the hand farther in toward the waist1 at the same time advancing the body1 the animal will be made to back2 though1 in backing a horse1 it will be better to employ both hands4 ,after having stopped1 or backed the horse1 to make him move onward1 a course should be pursued1 with both reins in the bridle-hand1 similar to that described for the same purpose when a rein is held in each hand4 ,to change the snaffle-reins from the left to the right hand1 as is sometimes necessary in order to adjust the skirt1 to relieve the left hand1 etc41 the following course must be pursued1 whether the horse be in rapid or slow motion3 ,while the left hand must retain its position and gentle pressure of the reins upon the horse's mouth1 the right must be carried to and over the left hand1 its forefinger be passed between the two reins1 so that the left rein will be on the left side of this finger1 and the right on its right side1 between the first and second fingers2 both reins must now be carried to the right1 across the palm1 to the little finger2 the hand must then be firmly closed1 and the thumb be pressed against the left rein1 holding it in contact with the index finger1--the left hand now gives up the reins4 ,in this change1 while the right hand is being carried over to the left1 this latter must be held stationary1 as any movement of it to meet the right hand may cause the animal to turn or swerve from his course1 and will at the same time interfere with his gait4 ,to return the reins to the left hand1 the following course must be pursued3 ,while the right hand must remain steady and sustain the gait of the horse1 the left must be carried to and over it1 insert its little finger between the two reins1 so that the left one will be on the left or outer side of this finger1 and the right one on its right side1 between it and the third finger2 then the reins must be drawn through the left hand1 and be arranged and held in this hand in the same manner as explained when describing the original position of both snaffle-reins in the bridle-hand4 ,these various changes must be made quickly and expertly1 without altering the degree of pressure or pull upon the horse's mouth4 ,the novice will find it greatly to her advantage to learn the management of the reins before mounting the horse1 and can do so by fastening the bit-end of the reins to some stationary object1 and then practicing the different changes1 until she can perform all these manoeuvres without looking at her hands or the reins4 ,when both the reins are held in the left hand1 the rider has not so much command over her horse as when they are held one in each hand4 ,for this reason1 unless her steed be exceptionally well-trained and obedient1 it will be better1 when in a crowded thoroughfare1 where quick turns have to be made1 to hold a rein in each hand1 and this will become absolutely necessary if the animal be hard mouthed or unruly4 ,when the horse is in motion and the reins are held in the left hand1 their separation may be quickly effected by carrying the right hand to and over the left1 the latter retaining its steadiness all the time1 and then passing the first three fingers of the right hand between the two reins1 so that they may readily close upon the right rein2 the thumb will then keep this rein firm by pressing it against the first joint of the index finger4 ,the position of the hands and reins will then1 after a movement of the left little finger to place the rein between it and the third1 be the same as described for the original position where a snaffle-rein is held in each hand4 ,should the reins become too long when held separately1 they can readily be shortened by returning the right rein to the bridle-hand1 placing it directly over the left rein between the third and little finger1 and then1 by means of the right hand1 drawing the loose rein or reins through the bridle-hand to the proper length1 after which the right rein may again be taken in the right hand1 as already described4 ,when the reins are held in one hand1 they can be shortened or lengthened by simply seizing them at their free1 disengaged ends with the right hand1 and while this holds them and sustains the horse1 the left hand must be slipped along the reins1 up or down1 as may be required1 but without changing their arrangement4 ,another way of holding the reins in the bridle-hand is to pass the right rein to the right of1 and underneath1 the index finger1 and then carry it across the palm1 so as to escape beyond the little finger2 while the left rein must be passed to the left of the little finger 7or between it and the third finger71 and then be carried across the palm to escape beyond the index finger4 ,the author cannot recommend this manner of holding the reins to ladies who desire to become accomplished and graceful riders1 because the movements of the hands and arms1 when turning1 or managing the horse1 are much more conspicuous2 and there is not that delicate correspondence with the animal's mouth that can be obtained by the other methods described4 ,after the pupil has become expert in riding with the snaffle1 she will be ready for the double bridle1 or the curb-bit and bridoon4 ,the double bridle must be held in the left hand in the following manner3 ,the bridoon or snaffle-reins are first to be taken up1 evenly1 by the right hand and then the second finger of the left hand be passed between these reins 7the left rein being between the second and third fingers1 and the right rein between the first and second71 the back of the hand being directed somewhat upward1 with the knuckles toward the horse's head2 the reins should then be pulled up by the right hand just enough to feel the horse's mouth1 and carried across the palm to the index finger1 where they should be held in position by firm pressure with the thumb4 ,illustration3 ,fig4 #bg4--;,double bridle3 all reins in the bridle-hand4 #a1 upper reins1 snaffle2 #b1 lower reins1 curb4 ,the curb-reins are now to be taken evenly by the right hand1 and then the little finger of the left hand be passed between the two reins1 the left rein being upon the left or outer side of the little finger1 and the right rein between the little and third fingers2 both curb-reins should next be drawn upward by the right hand until they are nearly the length of the snaffle1 and carried across the palm1 one rein overlying the other1 to the index finger1 between its first and second joints1 and between the snaffle-reins and the thumb1 at which point all the reins must be firmly held by pressure of the thumb against them2 the right hand will now remove its hold4 7,fig4 #bg47 ,the above manoeuvring of the reins will give the original position for the double bridle in the left hand4 ,all these reins should be of nearly equal length1 the snaffle being slightly the shortest1 so that1 while riding with the latter1 the curb may be ready for instant use2 this may be brought into play by simply turning the wrist so as to carry the little finger up and toward the waist4 ,and the full power of the curb may be brought into action by turning the wrist so as to carry the knuckles down and the nails up1 at the same time drawing the little finger toward the waist4 ,to shorten or lengthen both the curb and snaffle reins evenly without abandoning the horse to himself for a moment1 or without ceasing to keep up his action1 the following method may be pursued3 ,the loose1 disengaged ends of all the reins that extend beyond the index finger of the left hand must be taken between the thumb and forefinger of the right hand1 care being taken during this manoeuvre to keep up the support to the horse with this hand2 the grasp of the left hand upon the reins must now be sufficiently relaxed to allow this hand to slide along the reins downward to shorten them1 or upward to lengthen them2 this must be effected without deranging their adjustment2 when the proper range has been obtained1 remove the right hand4 ,to shorten the curb and lengthen the snaffle-reins3 ,the loose1 disengaged ends of all the reins must be held in the same manner as stated in the preceding paragraph1 between the thumb and index finger of the right hand1 not omitting to keep up a support to the horse2 the grasp of the left hand must now be slightly relaxed1 and this hand be slid up along all the reins1 which movement will lengthen them in the left hand4 ,the grasp of the right hand upon the snaffle-reins must now be relaxed1 and the left hand be slid down along the curb-reins1 carrying the snaffle-reins with it1 until the proper range or distance has been attained1 when the right hand may be removed4 ,while these changes are being made1 the right hand must sustain the horse by the curb-reins until the left has obtained a firm hold upon all4 ,to shorten the snaffle and lengthen the curb reins1 a course similar to the one just preceding must be pursued1 except that in this case the right hand must retain the snaffle-reins1 and support the horse by them1 while the left hand1 in sliding down1 will carry those of the curb4 ,in all these changes of the various reins1 it must be remembered that after each change has been effected the reins must be held in place by firm pressure of the thumb1 as already described4 ,when either of the reins held in the left hand becomes loose1 it may be tightened1 by carrying the right hand to and over the left one1 seizing the loose rein by its disengaged end that hangs loosely from the left index finger1 and drawing it up as far as is necessary4 ,while this is being done1 the left hand must not be removed from its position1 and should continue to keep up a steady pressure upon the horse's mouth4 ,in requiring the horse to stop1 to back1 to turn1 or to advance1 the management of the double bridle-reins will be exactly the same as stated in the directions given when holding the snaffle-reins in the left hand4 ,when both the curb and the snaffle reins are held in the bridle-hand1 they may be changed to the right hand1 when this is desired1 as follows3 ,the right hand must be carried to the left2 the second finger of the right hand must be placed between the snaffle-reins 7already separated by the second finger of the left hand72 and the little finger of the right hand between the curb-reins 7already separated by the little finger of the left hand72 this done1 the thumb and fingers of the right hand must be closed upon the reins1 which must1 at the same time1 be released by the left hand4 ,to restore these reins to the left hand1 the pupil must proceed as follows3 ,carrying the left hand to the right1 the second finger of the left hand must be placed between the snaffle-reins1 and the little finger of this hand between the curb-reins2 this having been done1 the thumb and fingers must be closed upon all the reins1 while the right hand releases its hold4 ,these several changes can be made whether the horse be moving slowly or rapidly1 care being taken to effect them so quietly that the horse will not be abandoned to himself from want of support1 nor interrupted in the rhythm of his gait4 ,if when riding with the double bridle in the bridle-hand1 very quick turns have to be made1 or when the horse will not yield readily to the movements of the bridle-hand1 it will become necessary to separate the reins by taking that of the right snaffle in the right hand2 this can be quickly effected by carrying the right hand to and over the left1 and seizing the right snaffle-rein with the first three fingers of the right hand2 this rein will pass between the third and little fingers and across the palm1 so that the loose1 disengaged end will escape from between the thumb and forefinger4 ,illustration3 ,fig4 #bh4--;,double bridle2 a snaffle and a curb rein in each hand4 #a1 #a1 snaffle-reins2 #b1 #b1 curb-reins4 ,in ,america1 most lady riders prefer to guide the horse with the bridle-hand only2 in doing this1 although they may appear more careless and graceful1 they certainly lose much command over the animal4 ,the method at present employed by the best ,european horsewomen1 who seldom ride with the reins in the left hand alone1 is as follows3 ,the little finger of the right hand is to be passed between the right curb and snaffle reins in such a way that the curb-rein will be on the outer side of this finger1 and the snaffle between it and the third finger2 both reins must then be carried across the palm1 and be firmly held by the thumb against the forefinger4 ,the little finger of the left hand is also to be passed between the left snaffle and curb reins1 in a similar manner to that just described1 and the reins must be held firm by the thumb and forefinger of this hand4 7,fig4 #bh47 ,this arrangement may be termed the original position for a curb and snaffle rein in each hand4 ,when the reins are thus separated1 the action upon the horse's mouth will be much more powerful than when they are all placed in the bridle-hand4 ,they should be held nearly even1 the snaffle being somewhat shorter than the curb1 so that the hold or pressure upon the animal's mouth may be made by the former2 but should it be required on any occasion to employ the curb1 this can be brought into instant use by a slight turn of the wrists1 that will carry the little fingers up and toward the rider's waist4 ,to stop1 to back1 to turn1 or to advance1 the reins must be managed in the same way as when one snaffle-rein alone is held in each hand4 ,in all these various ways of holding the double bridle1 the snaffle-reins should1 as they pass upward from the bit1 always be placed above those of the curb2 indeed1 it would be rather awkward to hold them otherwise4 ,as already stated1 when the object for which any change of hands and reins has been made is effected1 the hands should always resume the original position1 as explained for the snaffle-reins when one is held in each hand1--thus1 hands four inches from the body1 four inches apart1 etc4 ,the arms and elbows must be kept as steady as possible1 all movements of the reins being made with the wrists and fingers1 unless the horse be hard mouthed or badly trained1 when the arms will have to be employed and more force will be required4 ,but a horse of this kind should never be ridden by a woman2 and the directions herein given will be found amply sufficient to control a well-trained1 properly-bitted animal4 ,the preceding directions relative to holding and managing the reins may appear very tedious and exceedingly complicated4 ,but if the pupil1 commencing with the snaffle-reins1 one in each hand1 will carefully study and practice each method in succession1 she will soon find that all these apparently difficult manoeuvres are very simple when put into practice1 and can be readily learned in half a dozen lessons4 ,when she has once fully mastered them1 she will be astonished to find how little management1 when it is of the right kind and based upon correct principles1 will be required to make her steed move in an easy and pleasant manner4 ,after the rein-hold has been acquired1 and the pupil properly seated in the saddle1 she will1 if the reins are held steady1 observe with each step of the horse as he advances in the canter or gallop1 a slight tug or pull upon the reins4 ,this pull will also be simultaneously felt by the horse's mouth1 between which and the rider's hand or hands there will be what may be termed a correspondence4 ,this correspondence gives a support to the horse1 provided the rider1 while maintaining an equal degree of tension upon the reins1 will give and take1 or1 in other words1 will allow the movements of the bridle-hand to concur with those of this tug or pull4 ,a dead pull may be made by bracing the muscles of the hand1 tightly closing the fingers upon the reins1 and holding the hand immovable2 but this should never be done1 except to convey some imperative command to the horse1 or when he attempts to gain the ascendency4 ,this kind of pull will interfere with the natural movements of the horse's head1 making him move in a confined1 irregular manner1 and will oblige him to force the rider's hand or hands2 that is1 in order to relieve himself from this restraint1 he will give a sudden downward jerk of his head1 which may take the reins from her hands1 unless she be upon her guard2 or else he will move heavily upon his fore-legs1 and make his rider support the weight of his head and neck4 ,should the curb be used instead of the snaffle1 the result may be still worse2 because when the curb-reins are pulled upon1 the port or arched part of the bit will come in contact with the roof of the animal's mouth1 and will press upon it to a degree corresponding to the power used upon the reins1 while the curb-chain will be forced against the lower jaw1 and if this continual pressure or dead pull be kept up the animal will experience considerable pain4 ,to relieve himself1 he will suddenly throw his head either up or down and may even rear4 ,in the latter case1 if his rider does not instantly relax her hand1 he will be apt to fall backward1 which is one of the most serious accidents that can happen when riding4 ,if this rigid pull upon the curb be continued1 the horse will be certain1 ultimately1 to become hard mouthed1 if not vicious4 ,this is a reason why so many riders1 though having the double bridle-reins1 use only the snaffle1 and allow the curb-reins to hang quite loosely1 being afraid to employ them1 as experience has taught them that this rigid hold upon the reins will be instantly resented by the horse4 ,hence the curb-reins appear to be attached to the head-gear of their horses more as an article of ornament than of utility4 ,in order that a lady's horse may move lightly and well upon his haunches1 the curb will have to be employed occasionally to collect and restrain him2 and when it is managed properly1 he will advance in better style than when the snaffle alone is used4 ,the snaffle will answer a better purpose when employed to guide the horse in turning completely around1 or in movements to the right or to the left2 while the curb will answer during a straightforward motion to keep the animal well up to his action and to bring out his best gait1 as well as to collect and restrain him4 ,an easy give and take feeling can be effected by slightly loosening or opening the fingers of the bridle-hand or hands as the horse springs forward2 as the hand feels the pull upon the reins1 it must yield to this sensation1 and will thus allow the animal liberty in his spring or advance movements4 ,then1 as the action of the horse lessens or recedes1 the reins will be felt to slacken1 when the fingers should be closed1 which will tighten the reins1 support the animal1 and keep him under control4 ,this give and take movement should occur alternately and simultaneously with the cadence of each step of the steed1 and should be effected without any backward or forward movements of the arm or arms1 which must be held steady1--except in a rapid gallop1 in which case both the hand and arm will1 to a certain extent1 have to move to and fro4 ,in the give and take movement the reins should not be allowed to slip in the slightest degree1 nor to be jerked from the rider's hand by any sudden motion of the horse's head2 on the contrary1 they should always be held firm between the thumb and the first and second joints of the index finger1 the other fingers alone performing the alternate action of loosening and tightening the reins4 ,the reader will be better enabled to understand this explanation if she will take a piece of elastic1 pass it around her right hand1 which will correspond to the horse's mouth1 and then hold the two ends in her left hand1 exactly in the manner explained for holding the double bridle-reins in one hand4 ,now1 by making tension on the elastic 7or reins7 with the left hand1 so that the right 7or supposed horse's mouth7 can just feel this pressure1 a correspondence will be formed between these two hands 7or bridle-hand and supposed horse's mouth7 through which the slightest movement of the left hand1 or of its second1 third1 or fourth fingers1 will be immediately felt by the right hand2 then1 while holding the elastic 7or reins7 firmly1 by pressure1 between the thumb and index finger1 by alternately opening and closing the fingers of the left hand1 she will observe that when her fingers are closed there will be quite a tension upon the elastic and consequently upon the right hand1 and when they are slightly opened this will become flaccid4 ,the relaxation and contraction of the hand constitutes the give and take movement1 which causes the horse to move easily1 pleasantly1 and with perfect freedom1 while at the same time he is kept in entire obedience to his rider4 ,indeed1 this movement is the grand secret of good riding and correct management of the horse1 and there can be no good riding without it4 ,with this movement there should always be a certain support or pull upon the horse's mouth1--firmer or lighter according to the sensitiveness of his mouth1 as some animals are harder mouthed than others1 and consequently require a firmer support2--this tension or pressure should be rather light in the walk and canter1 firmer in the trot1 and very light in the hand gallop4 ,in the rapid gallop1 the horse requires considerable support4 ,in all cases of restiveness1 except in rearing1 raising the bridle-hands will give more command over the horse1 as it will cause him to keep up his head1 and thus while lessening the power of the animal will at the same time add to that of the rider4 ,on the contrary1 should the horse lower his head1 and the bridle-hands be held low1 the power of the animal will be augmented and he can bid defiance to his rider1 unless she can raise his head4 ,she will have to do this in a gentle but firm manner1 soliciting1 as it were1 the desired elevation of his head by raising her hands and quickly relaxing and contracting the fingers1 but being careful to keep the reins in place between the thumb and index finger of each hand2 she will thus gradually oblige him to raise his neck with his chin drawn in1 so that control over his mouth may be regained4 ,should he resist this method1 the reins must be momentarily slackened1 and then a decided jerk or pull be given them in an upward direction2 this will cause a sharp twinge in his mouth1 and make him raise his head4 ,in these manoeuvres the curb-bit should be used1 and as the animal raises his head the rider should gently relax the reins1 and also be on her guard lest he rear4 ,in some instances a decided sawing of his mouth with the snaffle--that is1 sharply pulling upon one rein and then upon the other1 and in rather quick succession--will cause him to raise his head and neck4 ,when a horse is obedient1 all changes in the degree of pressure upon his mouth should be made gradually1 because1 if a sudden transition be made from a firm hand to a relaxed one1 he will be abruptly deprived of the support upon which he has been depending and may be thrown forward on his shoulders4 ,again1 to pass precipitately from a slack rein to a tight one will give a violent shock to his mouth1 cause him to displace his head1 and destroy the harmony of his movements4 ,as a means of punishment1 some riders jerk suddenly1 repeatedly1 and violently upon the reins2 this jagging on the reins is a great mistake1 and will be likely to result in more harm to the rider than to the horse1 as the latter may suddenly rear1 or else have a bad temper aroused that will be difficult to overcome4 ,when riding on the road there will be times when the horse will require more liberty of the reins1 as1 for instance1 when his head or neck becomes uncomfortable from being kept too long in one position1 when he has an attack of cough1 when he wants to dislodge a troublesome fly1 etc4 ,in giving this liberty when occasion requires1 the reins must not be allowed to slip through the hands1 but the arms should be gradually advanced1 without1 however1 inclining the body forward4 ,the movements of the body must correspond with those of the horse and of the rider's hands2 thus1 when the animal is moving regularly and straight forward1 the hands1 or bridle-hand1 being held firm and steady immediately in front of the waist1 the body must then be seated squarely1 with its front part to the front1 so that the rider can look directly between the ears of her steed4 ,when the animal turns completely around to the right or to the left1 the shoulders and head of the rider must also turn a little toward the direction taken by the horse1 while the hand must be slightly carried in an opposite direction4 ,when turning a corner1 the entire body from the hips upward must incline toward the centre of the circle of which the turn forms an arc1 or1 in other words1 the body must incline toward the direction taken by the horse1 and the degree of this inclination must be proportioned to the bend of the horse's body1 and to the rapidity of his pace while turning4 ,when the horse advances1 and the hands are relaxed1 the body must momentarily lean slightly forward without rounding the shoulders2 this will aid the horse in commencing his forward movement4 ,in stopping him1 the rider's body must be inclined slightly backward as the hands rein him in4 ,all these movements should be made gradually1 and never abruptly4 ,when a horse stumbles1 or plunges from viciousness or high spirits1 the rider's body must be inclined backward1 as this will enable her to maintain her balance more effectually as well as to throw more weight upon the reins4 ,on the contrary1 when he rears the bridle-hand must be instantly advanced or relaxed1 the body at the same time being inclined well forward1 which will throw the rider's weight upon the animal's shoulders and fore-legs1 and cause him to lower his fore-feet to the ground4 ,a horse is said to be united or collected when he moves easily in a regular1 stylish manner1 well on his haunches1 with head and neck in proper position1 his rider exercising perfect control over him by gentle pressure upon his mouth1 and keeping up the regular movements of the animal by a quiet and dexterous give and take action of her hands4 ,he is disunited when he moves in an irregular manner1 or heavily upon his fore-legs1 occasioning the rider to support the weight of his neck and shoulders2 also1 when the reins are too slack and exercise no pressure upon his mouth1 in which case1 having no aid or support from his rider's hand1 he will move carelessly1 or exactly as he pleases4 ,in collecting a horse1 the aid of the whip and the left leg will frequently be required1 as the rider's hand alone may not be sufficient4 ,in such a case1 the left leg must be lightly pressed against his left side and the whip at the same time be pressed against his right side2 these in conjunction with the action of the bridle-hand1#e as heretofore explained1 will collect him and bring him up to his bridle with his haunches well under him1--the proper position for starting4 ,as soon as he moves there should be only a light pressure on his mouth4 ,in order to perform the above feat effectively1 the whip must not be too limber and must always be held with its lash downward4 ,this simultaneous pressure of the whip and left leg has the same effect in collecting the horse as that of the horseman's right and left legs4 ,should the horse flag in his movements or move heavily upon his fore-legs1 a repetition of this pressure of the leg and whip1 in conjunction with the proper movements of the bridle-hand1 will bring him well on his haunches and lighten his action4 ,footnote #e3 ,the bridle-hand being in the original position for the double bridle1 the curb should be brought into action by a turn of the wrist1 which will carry the little finger in toward the waist2 and this1 in conjunction with the leg and whip1 will collect the horse4 ,the horse is always animated by mild taps of the whip1 light pressure of the hand upon the curb1 a clacking of the tongue1 or an urging tone of his mistress's voice4 ,he is soothed and rendered confident by mild and encouraging tones of voice1 by the rider's sitting easily1 by a gentle hold upon the reins1 and by caressing pats upon his neck and shoulders4 ,in the directions given in this chapter1 necessarily involving more or less repetition1 the author has endeavored to be as clear1 comprehensible1 and simple as possible4 ,and the rider will find it of much greater advantage to have these instructions printed1 than to be required to learn them orally1 as she can read and re-read them at pleasure and have them thoroughly committed to memory before mounting her horse4 ,and1 although it has required many pages to present these instructions to the reader1 she will find that their application will prove very simple1 and will also be agreeably surprised to observe the great control she will have over the feelings and movements of her steed through their agency4 ,horses are generally very sagacious1 and appear to recognize promptly any timidity1 awkwardness1 or ignorance on the part of their riders1 and1 according to their temper or disposition1 will take advantage of such recognition1 either by advancing carelessly or by manifesting trickiness or viciousness4 ,the best trained horse always requires to be kept under command1 but by kind treatment and correct management4 ,the horse1 when ridden by a finished horsewoman1 knows that although allowed to move with a light rein he is under the control of a masterly hand that will aid him in his efforts to please1 but will instantly bring him into submission if he does not yield entire obedience4 ,,chapter ,,vii4 ,,the ,,walk4 ,and do you not love at evening's hour1 ,by the light of the sinking sun1 ,to wend your way o'er the widening moor1 ,where the silvery mists their mystery pour1 ,while the stars come one by one8 ,over the heath by the mountain's side1 ,pensive and sweet is the evening's ride4 ,e4 ,,paxton ,,hood4 ,in walking1 the horse moves nearly simultaneously the two legs that are diagonally opposite to each other1 first one pair1 and then the other4 ,thus1 the right fore and the left hind leg make one step nearly at the same time1 and when these have touched the ground1 the left fore and the right hind leg are raised and advanced in a similar manner1 and so on in succession4 ,in this manner as one pair of legs moves onward the other pair sustains the weight of the animal2 and of the two legs that act together the fore one is raised from as well as placed upon the ground slightly previous to the hind one4 ,this is the reason why a horse which walks well and in a regular manner will nearly or quite cover the foot-marks of his fore-feet with those of his hind ones4 ,if the hind-foot should fall short of covering the track of the fore one1 the animal will not be a good walker2 if1 on the contrary1 it should pass somewhat beyond the mark of the fore-foot1 it will indicate him to be a fast walker1 although he may overreach4 ,in both the walk and the trot1 when the horse is moving regularly1 a quick ear can detect four distinct beats or tappings of the feet2 when these beats mark equal time and sound exactly alike for each footstep1 it may be inferred that the horse is a good walker as well as a good trotter1 and that all his legs are sound4 ,but if one beat be lighter than the others1 it may be assumed that there is some disease in the foot or leg that produces this beat4 ,horse-dealers will often endeavor to disguise this defect by adopting means to disable the animal temporarily in his healthy leg1 as the treads will then be made more nearly alike1 though the slight shade of difference thus effected can be readily detected by a quick1 experienced ear4 ,these hoof-beats are best heard when made on a hard road4 ,a horse that is a good walker will move with a quick step1 his hind-legs well under him1 his foot-taps marking regular time1 and his feet measuring exact distances1 while he will lift his feet just high enough to escape obstructions on the road1 thrusting each foot well forward1 and placing it lightly1 though firmly and squarely1 upon the ground4 ,he will advance in a straight line1 vacillating neither to the right nor left1 and should be able to accomplish at least from four to four and a half miles per hour4 ,the walk of a lady's horse is almost always neglected1 and as a good walk is a sure foundation for perfection in all other gaits1 a lady should positively insist that her steed be thoroughly trained in this particular2 especially if she be large and majestic looking1 because the walk will then become her specialty4 ,a stout woman does not ride to the best advantage at a rapid gait1 but upon a horse that has the walk in perfection she presents an imposing1 queen-like appearance4 ,if her steed1 however1 be allowed to saunter along in a careless1 listless manner1 all the charm will be destroyed1 and the tout ensemble will present by no means a pleasing picture4 ,the beginner in riding should learn to sit and manage her horse in a walk1 and should never attempt to ride a faster gait until she can collect her steed1 make him advance1 turn him to the right and to the left1 and rein him back2 this last movement is a very important one1 with which few teachers strive to make their pupils thoroughly acquainted4 ,reining back will not only bring the horse under better command1 but1 with a lady's horse1 a short reining back from time to time will improve his style of motion in his various gaits2 besides which1 the rider may on some occasion be placed in a situation in which1 for her own safety1 she will be compelled to move her horse backward4 ,illustration3 ,fig4 #bi4--,the ,walk4 ,to begin the walk3 ,the pupil1 having placed herself in the saddle1 must not allow her horse to move until she is quite prepared1 her skirt adjusted1 and the whip and reins properly arranged in her hands4 ,then1 drawing gently upon the curb and snaffle reins1 a little more upon the former than upon the latter1 and at the same time gently pressing against the animal's side with her left leg1 and against his right side with the whip1 as heretofore explained1 she will thus collect her horse1 and start him upon the walk4 ,as soon as he has begun to move forward1 the pressure of the leg and whip must cease1 and the hand or hands must be held steady on the snaffle1 the curb no longer being required1 unless the animal flags in his movements4 ,the hold upon the snaffle must be only tense enough to enable the rider to feel the beat of the horse's action as he places each foot upon the ground1 and to give him a slight support and keep up an even action4 ,should this support be too heavy1 his step will be shortened1 and he will be unable to move freely2 should it be insufficient1 he will carry his head low1 will not raise his feet high enough to escape stumbling1 will knock his toes against every inequality of the ground1 and both he and his rider will present an indolent and listless aspect4 ,her attitude should be easy and erect1 but she should yield herself slightly to the movements of the horse although without showing any lack of steadiness4 7,fig4 #bi47 ,should the horse be too much animated by the reins and whip at the commencement of the walk1 he may enter upon a jog trot1 or an amble1 in which case he must be checked by gradually reining him in until he has settled into a walk4 ,should he1 on the contrary1 not be sufficiently animated1 he will not exert himself and will move in an irregular and indolent manner2 in this case1 he must be made to raise his head by a slight pull upon the curb-reins1 as already explained1 and be again collected and animated by the aid of the leg and whip4 ,a short1 abrupt turn in the walk should never be made1 if it can possibly be avoided2 it is only in case of emergency that it should be attempted1 and even then it is more or less dangerous1 because1 as the horse moves his legs diagonally in the walk1 he may1 when abruptly turned1 place one leg in the way of the other1 be thrown off his balance1 and fall4 ,when turning a horse completely around1 it should always be done in a deliberate manner4 ,this rule should never be forgotten1 especially by a novice4 ,during her first lessons in the walk1 the pupil1 in attempting to turn her horse to the right1 to the left1 or completely around1 must move him very slowly1 pressing her whip and left leg against his sides1 and keeping him well-balanced by proper support upon both snaffle-reins4 ,in making a turn to the right1 with a snaffle-rein in each hand1 the left hand must not abandon the horse1 but retain a steady pressure upon his mouth1 while the tension upon the right rein must be increased by moving the right hand and its little finger up and toward the body1 at the same time holding this hand a little lower than the left one4 ,the tension upon the right rein should be nearly double that made upon the left1 and should be kept up until the turn has been completed4 ,in the turn to the right1 the left leg should make a little stronger pressure than that made by the whip1 to prevent the animal from throwing his croup too far to the left2 and in making the turn to the left1 the whip should press more strongly than the leg1 in order to prevent the croup from being carried too far to the right4 ,in attempting to turn completely around to the left1 the same manoeuvring1 though in an opposite direction1 will be required2 the above directions for the two hands being simply reversed4 ,should the horse fail to turn in a regular manner1 or refuse to obey the reins readily1 he must be collected1 and brought up to the bridle in the manner already described4 ,this will cause him to raise his head and place himself in a position to move in the required manner1 and when this is done the rider must slacken the tension upon the curb1 and turn him with the snaffle-rein4 ,in making these turns1 care must be taken to have ample space1 and it must not be forgotten1 that while increasing the tension upon the rein required to direct the turn1 the other should not be slackened or abandoned1 but should continue to give support to the horse1 though in a less degree2 and also that this tension upon the reins is much more important when making a partial or complete turn1 than when the animal is moving forward in a straight line4 ,for1 if the reins be slackened1 and the horse left to himself1 he will turn in an awkward manner1 may get one leg in the way of the other1 and perhaps stumble or fall1 especially if the ground be slippery1 or rough and uneven4 ,it is a habit with many lady riders1 as well as with multitudes of horsemen1 to make the turn by carrying the bridle-hand in the direction of the turn1 thus pressing the outward rein1 or the one opposite to the direction of the turn1 against the horse's neck1--the inward rein being completely slackened4 ,this is a very dangerous fault and one that instantly betrays ignorance of correct horsemanship1 because the animal is thus left without any support at a time when it is most needed4 ,if a rider has any regard for her own safety1 she will remember this very important rule1 namely1 to support the horse on both reins when making a turn4 ,when all the reins are held in the bridle-hand and a turn is to be made to the left1 the fault is sometimes committed of carrying the right hand over to assist the left by pulling upon the left rein2 this is frequently done by ladies who have not been properly instructed1 and gives them an awkward appearance4 ,when riding with the double bridle in the bridle-hand1 if the movements of the horse be controlled by this hand and wrist1 as explained in the preceding chapter1 the turn to the right or to the left can be effected without abandoning the horse by relaxing one of the reins1 and also without the assistance of the other hand4 ,these manoeuvres1 accomplished easily and gracefully1 indicate the well-instructed and correct bridle-hand1 the well-trained horse1 and the accomplished horsewoman1 who will appear to manage her steed more by mental influence than by any perceptible movements of her hands4 ,to stop in the walk1 in a correct and regular manner1 is a sure criterion of a good horsewoman1 one that has her steed under complete control1 for this stop renders him more obedient1 and tends to collect him and to bring his haunches into a pliant condition4 ,to accomplish this stop properly1 the rider must brace her arms firmly against her sides1--being careful not to let her elbows protrude backward1--throw her shoulders back1 hold both reins evenly and firmly1 and tighten the tension upon them by turning the hand and little fingers up and carrying them toward the waist1 at the same time not omitting to press gently against the horse's sides with the leg and whip4 ,all this should be accomplished by one simultaneous movement1 and the degree of tension made on the reins should be in proportion to the sensitiveness of the horse's mouth4 ,if the left leg and whip be not employed in making the stop1 the horse when brought to a stand may throw his weight upon his shoulders and fore-legs1--which he should never be allowed to do1 as it will destroy the pleasing effect of the stop1 and cause him to become disunited4 ,the animal should be so nicely balanced upon his haunches when he stops1 that1 with a little more liberty of rein1 he can readily move forward in a united and collected manner4 ,the reins must not be abruptly jerked1 but be drawn upon1 as stated before1 in a gradual and equal manner4 ,after the stop is completed1 the reins may be so far relaxed as to enable the horse to again advance1 should it be required4 ,the stop should always be made when the animal is advancing straight forward1 and never1 if it can possibly be avoided1 when making a turn or going around a corner4 ,if1 when attempting to stop the horse1 he should toss up his head1 the bridle-hand must be kept low and firm1 and the right hand be pressed against his neck until his head is lowered1 when the rein-hold may be relaxed4 ,in such a case1 the rider must be on her guard1 as a horse which stops in this manner may rear1 when she must immediately yield the reins4 ,the stop1 especially in rapid gaits and when effected suddenly1 is very trying to the horse2 it should therefore be made only when necessary1 and never to display the rider's superior command and excellent horsewomanship2 many horses1 particularly those having weak loins1 have been caused much suffering and have had their dispositions completely ruined by a too frequent and injudicious practice of the stop4 ,in reining back or backing in the walk1 the horse bends his haunches and places one of his hind-legs under his body1 upon which to rest and balance himself2 this enables him to collect force to impel his croup backward4 ,to favor this movement1 the horse must be collected1 brought to stand square and even on his fore-legs1 and then be reined backward by a firm1 steady1 and equal pull upon both the right and left snaffle-reins4#f ,the hands should be held low and directly in front of the body1 with the knuckles down1 and the little fingers turned up and carried toward the body4 ,during this whole movement care must be taken not to elevate the hands4 ,the body of the rider must bend somewhat forward1 with the waist drawn in1 but without any rounding of the shoulders1 while the leg and the whip must make gentle pressure against the horse's sides1 so as to bring him up to the bridle1 and prevent his deviating from the line in which it is desired to back him4 ,the backing must never be made by one continuous pull2 but as soon as the movement is commenced1 the hands and body of the rider must yield so that the horse may regain his balance1 after which he may again be urged backward4 ,these actions should occur alternately1 so that with every step backward the rider will yield her hands1 and immediately draw them back again1 continuing these movements until the horse has backed as far as desired4 ,if1 instead of this course1 a steady pull be made1 the horse may lose his balance and fall1 or may be compelled to rear4 ,footnote #f3 ,if the horse be tender in the mouth the snaffle-reins had better be used in backing2 if not1 the curb4 ,when reining the horse back the body must never be inclined backward1 as is necessary when stopping the horse2 on the contrary1 it must always be inclined somewhat forward1 as this will enable the hands to manage the reins more effectively1 will give the horse more freedom to recede1 and1 should he rear1 will place the rider in the proper balance4 ,should the rider unfortunately incline her body backward1 and the horse rear1 she would probably be unseated1 and should she pull upon the reins in order to sustain herself and keep her seat1 the animal would be drawn backward1 and probably fall upon her4 ,in backing1 the pull upon the reins must never be made suddenly1 but always gradually1 the hand rather soliciting than compelling4 ,when the reins are suddenly pulled upon1 the horse is very apt to get his hind-legs too far forward under him1 in which case it is impossible for him to move backward4 ,in reining the horse directly backward1 should his croup move out of line to the right1 the pressure of the whip must be increased1 or gentle taps be given with it upon his right side back of the saddle-flap1 the hand at the same time increasing the tension upon the right rein4 ,the taps of the whip must be very light1 lest the animal turn too much to the left4 ,should the croup swerve to the left1 the rider must press her left leg against her horse's side1 or give light taps with her left heel upon his side1 turning the point of the toe out1 moving the leg a little back1 and slightly separating the knee from the side of the saddle1 in order to give these taps2 at the same time she must increase the tension upon the left rein until the horse is brought into line4 ,when it is desired to rein back1 but with an inclination to the right1 a slight extra bearing or pull must be made upon the left rein1 without relaxing the steady tension upon the right one4 ,a pressure with the whip upon the right side of the horse must at the same time be kept up1 in order that he may not carry his croup too far to the right4 ,in reining back with an inclination to the left1 the pull upon the right rein must be slightly increased1 still keeping a steady feeling upon the left one2 then1 by a constant pressure with the left leg upon the horse's side1 he will be prevented from carrying his croup too far to the left4 ,reining back teaches the horse to move lightly1 and improves the style of his different gaits1 but its effect is very severe upon him1 hence its practice should not be too frequent1 and always of short duration4 ,,chapter ,,viii4 ,,the ,,trot1 ,,the ,,amble1 ,,the ,,pace1 ,,the ,,rack4 ,we ride and ride4 ,high on the hills ,the fir-trees stretch into the sky2 ,the birches1 which the deep calm stills1 ,quiver again as we speed by4 ,,owen ,,innsly4 ,in the trot1 the horse moves his legs in the same diagonal manner as in the walk1 the only difference being that in the trot they are moved more rapidly4 ,when trotting regularly and evenly1 the right fore-foot and the left hind-foot strike the ground nearly simultaneously1 and then the left fore-foot and the right hind-foot do the same2 and so on alternately1 two legs being diagonally upon the ground at about the same moment1 while two legs are raised in the air4 ,the strokes of the hoofs upon the ground are called beats1 and are loud and quick1 harmonizing with the animal's rapidity of motion and length of step4 ,the trot is the safest gait for a rider if the horse be free from any defect in his limbs1 as he will be less apt to stumble2 it is also less tiresome for the animal1 because while two legs are diagonally off the ground1 the other two support the weight of his body1 and thus one pair alternately and quickly relieves the other4 ,there are three varieties of trot1 namely1 the jog trot1 the flying or racing trot1 and the true or even trot4 ,in the jog trot each foot is placed nearly in the same track it occupied before it was raised1 though somewhat in advance of it1 and it remains upon the ground a longer time than when raised in the air1 thus rendering the gait almost as slow as the walk4 ,if the horse be young and spirited1 he will prefer this gait to that of the walk1 and1 if permitted1 will naturally adopt it4 ,this should be guarded against1 and under no circumstances should he be allowed to break into a jog trot2 because1 however accomplished the rider may be1 she will find it a very unpleasant and excessively fatiguing gait1 and one which will make her look very awkward4 ,this variety of trot1 however1 occasions less injury to the horse's feet and legs than any other gait1 and1 on this account1 it is preferred by most farmers4 ,in the racing or flying trot1 the horse is allowed to step out without the least constraint1 the legs being extended as far as possible1 and moving straight forward1 while the animal spiritedly enters into the occasion and gives out his full power4 ,in this trot all the legs are moved very rapidly1 and the hind ones with more force than the fore-legs1 in order that the horse's body may1 with each bound1 be propelled as far forward as possible4 ,between the two successive bounds all four legs are momentarily off the ground4 ,very springy fetlocks tend to diminish speed in the flying trot1 and hence1 not having such elastic fetlocks1 a good trotting racer is rough in his action and an undesirable saddle-horse4 ,in the true or even trot1 the action of the horse is regular1 all his limbs moving in an even manner1 his feet measuring exact distances1 his hoof-beats being in equal time of one1 two1 three1 four1 and his feet1 when moving rapidly1 touching the ground only for an instant4 ,there are two ways in which this trot may be ridden3 one is to sit closely to the saddle1 moving as little as possible1 and making no effort to avoid the roughness of the gait4 ,this is the method practiced by the cavalry of this country1 as well as by the armies in ,europe1 and is called the cavalry or ,french trot4 ,the other method is to relieve the joltings by rising in the saddle in time with the horse's step4 ,this is called the ,english trot1 and is the favorite gait of the ,european and the ,american civilian horsemen4 ,it is only during the last few years that this trot has been gradually coming into favor with ,american horsewomen1 although the ladies of ,england1 and of nearly all continental ,europe1 have for a long time ridden this gait as well as the canter and hand gallop1 having found that by alternating the latter gaits with the trot they could ride greater distances upon hard roads1 and with much less fatigue to themselves and their steeds4 ,the ,english trot does not wear out the horse so quickly as the gallop and canter2 indeed1 it has been generally found that the horse's trot improves as he grows older1 many horses having become better trotters at their tenth or twelfth year than at an earlier age4 ,the trot in which the hoof-beats are in time of only one1 two1 is very difficult to ride4 ,in ,america1 many persons condemn the ,english trot for lady riders1 which is hardly to be wondered at when one observes the various awkward and grotesque attitudes that are assumed1 even by many gentlemen1 when attempting to rise in the saddle4 ,as for the ladies who have undertaken this innovation1 their appearance on horseback1 from want of proper training or from lack of attention to given rules1 has1 with but few exceptions1 been simply ridiculous4 ,even with correct teaching and proper application1 some ladies1 although they acquire the ,english trot1 and do not make caricatures of themselves while employing it1 yet do not appear to such advantage as when in the canter or hand gallop4 ,this is also the case with ,european ladies1 who differ very much in their power to make this gait appear graceful4 ,a small1 slightly built person1 having a short measurement from the hip to the knee1 can1 when correctly taught1 ride this trot with much ease and grace4 ,a tall woman will have to lean too far forward with each rising movement of her steed1 as her length of limb will not permit a short rise2 she will therefore appear to much less advantage in this gait2 while a stout built person will look rather heavy in the rise from the saddle4 ,however1 whether a lady is likely to present an elegant appearance or not when riding the ,english trot1 she must1 if she desires to become an accomplished horsewoman1 learn to ride this particular gait1 as it will enable her to gain a correct seat1 to keep a better and more perfect balance1 and to become more thorough in the other gaits4 ,from a hygienic point of view1 it will prove beneficial1 and will preserve both rider and horse from excessive fatigue when traveling long distances4 ,under certain circumstances1 it will also enable a lady to ride a man's horse1 which will be very apt to have this trot in perfection1 and but little knowledge of1 or training in1 any other gaits4 ,in the country a regular and sure trotting horse may often be readily obtained1 while it will be much more difficult to procure one with a light1 easy canter or gallop4 ,this trot1 when well cadenced and in perfect time1 is very captivating1 as the rider escapes all jolting1 and feels more as if she were flying through the air than riding upon a horse4 ,there is1 however1 one objection to the ,english trot to which attention should be directed2 namely1 if the lady ride on a two-pommeled saddle1 and the horse happens to shy1 or to turn around suddenly1 while she is in the act of rising1 she is very likely to be unseated or thrown from her horse4 ,with the three-pommeled saddle1 however1 this accident will be much less liable to occur1 but the lady should always be on her guard when riding this trot1 especially if her steed be nervous2 and to avoid an accident of the kind just named1 she should keep her left knee directly under the third pommel1 but without pressing up against it enough to interfere with the rising motion1 or just so close1 that in pressing upon the stirrup and straightening her knee she can rise about four inches from the saddle2 the distance between the upper surface of the knee and the under surface of the pommel will then be about one and a half1 or two inches4 ,if1 in the rise1 she does not find herself embarrassed by the third pommel1 she may know that the stirrup-leather is of the correct length for this trot4 ,the more rapid and regular the trot1 the easier and shorter will be the rise1 and the less noticeable the movements of the rider1 because1 when trotting fast1 the rise will be effected with but very little effort on her part1 and will be almost entirely due to the rapid action of the horse4 ,to rise when trotting slowly1 will be neither easy nor pleasant for the rider1 and in this gait she will not appear to much advantage4 ,in the ,french or cavalry trot1 the body should be inclined a little backward1 being kept as firm as possible but without stiffness1 while at the same time the rider should sit as closely to the saddle as she can1 with the left knee directly under the third pommel1 not using force to press up against it1 but simply holding it there to sustain the limb and to assist in keeping it as firm and steady as possible during the roughness of this gait--while the reins should be held a little firmer than for the walk4 ,this trot should never be ridden by ladies after their first lessons in riding1 unless the horse moves so easily in it that his rider is not jolted in the least4 ,to trot so softly that no shock will be experienced by the rider as the horse's feet touch the ground will require a thorough-bred of rare formation4 ,before the invention of the three-pommeled saddle the ,french trot was always employed in the best riding-schools1 a beginner being required to practice it for a long time1 in order to acquire the proper firmness in the saddle2 but since the invention of the third pommel the cavalry trot has been almost entirely dispensed with1 as this pommel at once gives a firmness of seat that could be obtained on an old-fashioned two-pommeled saddle only after taking many fatiguing lessons in the ,french trot4 ,it was this fatigue that caused so many persons to condemn horseback riding for ladies1 and it also proved a cause of discouragement to the pupils in the riding-school1 frequently giving rise to a decided dislike for horseback exercise4 ,but since the employment of the third pommel1 it is only necessary for the pupil to take two or three lessons in the ,french trot1 just enough to enable her to understand the movement1 after which she may proceed to rise in the ,english style4 ,however1 a knowledge of the cavalry trot will be found useful1 as a horse1 when reined in from a gallop or canter1 will often trot a short distance before stopping2 and if the rider understands this trot1 she will be able to sit close to the saddle1 and not appear awkward by jolting helplessly about4 ,illustration3 ,fig4 #cj4--,the ,trot4 ,of all the styles of riding1 there is none so difficult to describe or to learn as the ,english trot4 ,we will make an effort1 however1 to render it comprehensible to the reader4 ,considerable study and practice will be required to learn it perfectly1 but when once learned it will indicate the thoroughly accomplished horsewoman4 7,fig4 #cj47 ,to commence the ,english trot1 the rider must collect her horse1 as for the walk1 and then1 as he advances1 keep a firm1 even tension upon the snaffle-reins1 because1 in this trot1 the animal will rely wholly upon his rider to support him and hold him to the pace1 without the give and take movements of the hands required in the other gaits4 ,it is not meant by this that a dead pull is to be made1 but that the support must be firm and steady1 with a proper correspondence between the bridle-hand and the horse's mouth4 ,the elbows must be held steady and lightly near the rider's sides1 but not close against them4 ,as the horse extends his trot1 an unpleasant roughness or jolting will be experienced1 which will give an upward impetus to the rider's body2 the moment she is conscious of this impetus1 she must allow herself to be raised from her horse in regular time with his step or hoof-beats4 ,in this trot1 the horse will always have a leading foot1 either the right or left1 and the foot he leads with is the one to which the rider must rise1--rising when the leading foot is lifted1 and touching the saddle when this foot touches the ground4 ,most riders do this instinctively1 as it were1 rising and falling with the leading foot4 ,in this rise the action of the horse alone will give the impetus2 no effort must be made by the lady1 except to press slightly1 or rather to sustain herself gently upon the stirrup1 and keep her knee and instep yielding and flexible with the rise4 ,care must be taken not to allow the leg to swing forward and backward4 ,the rise should be made as straight upward as possible1 the upper part of the body inclining forward no more than is necessary to effect the rise with ease4 ,the back must be kept well curved1 and the shoulders square to the front of the horse1 without lifting them up1 or rounding them in rising4 ,the leading foot of the horse is that fore-foot or leg with which he commences his advance in the gait2 it will always be carried somewhat beyond its fellow1 while1 at the same time1 that side of the animal's body which corresponds with the leading foot will be a little more advanced toward this foot1 though almost imperceptibly so4 ,every rider should be taught to know with which foot her horse leads4 ,when a horse trots evenly and quickly1 and with rather a short step1 the rise in the saddle will be barely perceptible2 but when he trots slowly and with a long step1 the rise will have to be higher1 in order that the rider may keep time with the slowness and length of his step4 ,in this gait a tall woman will be very apt to prefer a long step to a short one4 ,in making the rise1 the rider must never assist herself by pulling upon the reins1 which should be held firm and low to give support to the horse alone1 not allowing them to slip in the least from between the thumb and forefinger that should hold them steady4 ,the descent of the body to the saddle must be effected as gently as possible4 ,the right knee should be pressed against the second pommel1 and the left foot lean lightly upon the stirrup1 the left foot and instep being kept yielding and flexible with the descent1 and the body and right leg bearing#g a little to the right4 ,the descent should be made just in time to catch the next impetus of the horse's movement1 so that the saddle will be hardly touched before the rider's body will again be thrown upward to make the rise4 ,footnote #g3 ,by bearing to the right is not meant an inclination of the body to this side1 but a resistance sufficient to keep the body from inclining toward the left4 ,as hereafter stated1 trotting in a circle to the right will be found an excellent exercise to teach one this bearing4 ,it presents a very comical and inelegant appearance for a rider1 whether man or woman1 when attempting the rising trot1 to elevate and protrude the shoulders1 curve the back out so as to round it1 lean forward toward the horse's ears1 with elbows sticking out from the rider's sides and flopping like the wings of a restless bird1 while the body is bobbing up and down like a dancing-jack1 out of all time with the movements of the animal4 ,one reason why some persons are so awkward in the rise is that they sit too far back upon the saddle4 ,this obliges them to sustain themselves upon the stirrup obliquely1 thus causing them to lean too far forward in order to accomplish the rise more easily4 ,another cause of awkwardness in the rising trot is an improperly constructed saddle4 ,the seat or platform should be as nearly level as a properly made saddle will permit4 ,when the front part or arch is much higher than the seat1 it will be difficult to use the second pommel as a point of support for the right knee1 which support is highly essential during the descent1 in this trot4 ,it is a common thing to see riders exaggerate the rise by pressing hard upon the stirrup and supporting themselves by the reins1 thus rising higher than necessary1 and coming down with a heavy thump upon the saddle2 to which equestrian gymnastics they give the name of ,english trot4 ,when rising and descending in the ,english trot1 the left leg1 from knee to instep1 must be held perpendicular and steady2 the foot1 from toe to heel1 must rest horizontally in the stirrup1 and in a line with the horse's side4 ,the foot should not be allowed to turn out1 nor the leg to swing backward and forward3 if the foot be pointed out1 this will tend to carry the body and leg too much toward the left1 on the rise2 and1 if the leg be allowed to swing1 it will cause the rider to lose the rhythm of the trot4 ,again1 the stirrup must not be too strongly pressed upon1 as this will throw all the rider's weight upon the left side1 and may cause the saddle to turn4 ,on making the rise1 great care must be taken not to advance the left shoulder1 nor to turn the body to the left2 many riders do these things with the idea that they will enable them to rise with more ease4 ,but this is an error1 for such movements will not only occasion fatigue1 but will also render the rein-hold unsteady1 and the action of the foot and knee uncertain4 ,the body and shoulders must always be square to the front when the horse is trotting straight forward1 the body remaining as erect as the action of the horse will allow4 ,to stop a well-trained horse in this gait1 it will simply be necessary for the rider to cease rising1 sit down to the saddle1 and gradually loosen the reins4 ,many horses1 however1 are trained to make the stop in the usual way1 by having the reins tightened4 ,the advance and the turns are to be conducted in the same manner as that described for the walk4 ,in the ,english trot1 the horse must be kept well up to his gait2 should he appear to move heavily or disunitedly the reins must be gradually shortened1 and the animal be collected4 ,should he step short1 in a constrained manner1 the reins must be gradually lengthened1 to give him more freedom4 ,if he break into a gallop when it is desired that he should trot1 he must be gradually reined in to a walk1 and then be started again upon a trot1 and this course must be repeated until he obeys1 stopping him every time he attempts to gallop1 and then starting the trot anew4 ,if he trot too rapidly1 he must be checked1 by bracing the bridle-hand and increasing the pull upon the reins4 ,if the trot be too slow1 the hand must relax the reins a little1 and the horse be animated by the voice1 and by gentle taps with the whip4 ,to regulate the trot1 to keep it smooth and harmonious1 to rein in the horse gently without rendering him unsteady1 and then gradually to yield the hand so that he may move forward again in a regular manner1 are very difficult points for beginners to accomplish while still keeping up the proper support upon the bit1 and will require study and considerable practice4 ,a horse should never be urged into a more rapid trot than he can execute in an even1 regular manner2 if compelled to exceed this1 he will break into a rough gallop1 or into such an irregular trot as will render it impossible for the rider to time the rise4 ,an accomplished horsewoman1 when trotting her horse1 will make no observable effort1 and there will be perfect harmony between her steed and herself4 ,when the ,english trot is ridden in this manner1 the person who can condemn it must1 indeed1 be extremely fastidious4 ,however1 it must be acknowledged that it will require the lithe1 charming figure of a young lady to exhibit its best points1 and to execute it in its most pleasing and graceful style4 ,the very tall1 the inactive1 or the stout lady may ride this gait with ease to herself and horse1 and when properly taught will not render herself awkward or ridiculous1 but she can never ride it with the willowy grace of the slender woman of medium size4 ,trotting in a circle may be practiced in a riding-school1 or upon a level1 open space or ground1 having a circular track about seventy-five or eighty feet in diameter4 ,it is very excellent practice1 especially in teaching the rider to rise in unison with the horse's trot1 whether he leads with the right or left leg4 ,for first lessons1 the pupil must commence by circling to the right1 as this is the easiest to learn1 and will teach her to bear toward the right side of the horse4 ,it is very essential that in first lessons she should do this2 because in the ,english trot she will have to guard carefully against inclining to the left in the rise and descent1 a fault common to all beginners who are not better instructed4 ,in circling1 the horse will always incline toward the centre of the circle1 with which inclination the rider's body must correspond1 by leaning in the same direction2 if this precaution should be neglected and the horse be trotting rapidly1 the rider will lose her balance1 and fall off on the side opposite to that of the inclination4 ,the distance she should lean to the right or to the left must be in proportion to the size of the circle that is being passed over1 and also to the inward bearing of the horse's body4 ,should the circle be small and the gait rapid1 the inclination of the rider's body will have to be considerable to enable her to maintain her seat and keep in unison with the horse4 ,if the circle be large1 say eighty feet in diameter1 the inclination will be slight4 ,in order to circle to the right1 when holding a curb and a snaffle rein in each hand1 the pupil must collect her horse by the aid of curb1 leg1 and whip1 as already explained1 and start him forward on the snaffle1 holding the right rein a little lower than the left1 and drawing it enough to enable her to see plainly the corner of his right eye2 the reins must be held steadily1 no sudden jerks being given to them1 as these will cause the horse to move irregularly and swerve about4 ,should his croup be turned too much to the right1 the pressure of the whip will bring it to the left2 if it be turned too much to the left1 the pressure of the left leg will bring it to the right4 ,in circling to the left1 the horse will incline his body to the left1 toward the centre of the circle4 ,it is not very easy to learn to circle to the left1 but when once learned1 it will be found no more difficult than circling to the right1 provided the animal has been properly trained and made supple1 so as to lead with either leg4 ,horses that have been trained to lead with the right leg only will1 when required to change and lead with the left1 move in a confined1 inflexible1 and irregular manner1 so that it will be impossible to time the rise from the saddle4 ,in riding in the circle to the left1 the directions for circling to the right must be reversed1 the rider leaning to the left1 pulling the left rein a little tighter1 etc4 ,great care must be taken1 however1 not to lean too much toward the left in making the rise4 ,the degree of inclination should not in this case be so great as the corresponding inclination when circling to the right1 for if it is the rider will throw her weight too much upon the stirrup side1 and may cause the saddle to turn4 ,in practicing riding in a circle1 it will be found very advantageous to vary the size of the circle1 first riding in a large one1 then gradually contracting it1 and again enlarging it2 or the rider1 while practicing upon a large circle1 may make a cross-cut toward the centre of this circle1 so as to enter upon another one of smaller diameter1 and1 after riding for a short time in the smaller circle1 she may again pass out to resume her ride upon the larger one4 ,these changes from large to narrow circles form excellent practice for pupils1 but should always1 if possible1 be performed under competent instruction4 ,the first lessons in trotting in a circle should always be of short duration1 and the pupil required to ride slowly1 the speed being gradually increased as she gains knowledge and confidence4 ,the moment she experiences fatigue she should dismount1 and rest1 before resuming the lesson4 ,in the amble the horse's movements very strongly resemble those of the camel1 two legs on one side moving together alternately with the two legs of the other side4 ,thus one side of the animal supports the weight of his body1 while the other side moves forward1 and so on in alternation4 ,this is an artificial gait1 and one to which the horse must usually be trained2 though some horses whose ancestors have been forced to travel in this gait1 have themselves been known to amble without any training4 ,in the feudal ages it was the favorite pace for a lady's palfrey1 but at the present day it is no longer countenanced by good taste4 ,the pace1 however1 which is so well liked by many ladies in this country1 is a kind of amble1 although the steps taken are longer4 ,a good pacer can frequently travel faster than most horses can in the trot4 ,when the steed moves easily and willingly1 the pace is very pleasant for short rides1 but for long journeys1 unless the animal can change his gait to a hand gallop or a canter1 it will become very unpleasant and tiresome4 ,many pacers are almost as rough in their movements as the ordinary trotter2 and although they do not jolt the rider up and down upon the saddle1 yet they jerk her body in such a manner as successively and alternately to throw one side forward and the other slightly back with each and every step1 rendering a ride for any distance very fatiguing4 ,the rack1 at one time so much liked1 has become almost obsolete4 ,this is a peculiar gait1 not easily described1 in which the horse appears to trot with one pair of legs and amble with the other1 the gait being so mixed up between an amble and a defective trot as to render it almost a nondescript4 ,when racking1 the horse will appear constrained and uncomfortable1 and will strongly bear upon the rider's hand2 some animals so much so1 as completely to weary the bridle-hand and arm in a ride of only an hour or two4 ,this constant bearing of the horse's head upon the reins soon renders him hard mouthed1 and1 consequently1 not easily and promptly managed4 ,the rack soon wears out a horse1 besides spoiling him for other gaits1 and so injures his feet and legs that a racker will rarely be suitable for the saddle after his eighth year4 ,it is an acquired step1 much disliked by the horse1 which has always to be forced into it by being urged forward against the restraint of a curb-bit2 and he will1 whenever an opportunity presents1 break into a rough trot or canter1 so that the rider has to be constantly on the watch1 and compel him to keep in the rack against his will4 ,and although the motion does not jolt much1 the aspect of the horse and rider is not as easy and graceful as in the canter and hand gallop1 there being an appearance of unwillingness and restraint that is by no means pleasing4 ,the directions for the ,french trot will answer for both the pace and the rack1 except that in the latter the traction upon the reins must be greater4 ,,chapter ,,ix4 ,,the ,,canter4 ,when troubled in spirit1 when weary of life1 ,when ,i faint 'neath its burdens1 and shrink from its strife1 ,when its fruits1 turned to ashes1 are mocking my taste1 ,and its fairest scene seems but a desolate waste1 ,then come ye not near me1 my sad heart to cheer ,with friendship's soft accents or sympathy's tear4 ,no pity ,i ask1 and no counsel ,i need1 ,but bring me1 oh1 bring me my gallant young steed1 ,with his high arched neck1 and his nostril spread wide1 ,his eye full of fire1 and his step full of pride6 ,as ,i spring to his back1 as ,i seize the strong rein1 ,the strength to my spirit returneth again6 ,the bonds are all broken that fettered my mind1 ,and my cares borne away on the wings of the wind2 ,my pride lifts its head1 for a season bowed down1 ,and the queen in my nature now puts on her crown6 ,,grace ,,greenwood4 ,in the gallop1 the horse always has a leading foot or leg4 ,in leading with the right fore-foot1 he will raise the left one from the ground1 and then the right will immediately follow1 but will be advanced somewhat beyond the left one2 and this is the reason why1 in this case1 the right side is called the leading side4 ,in the descent of the fore-feet1 the left one will touch the ground first1 making the first beat1 and will be immediately followed by the leading or right fore-foot which will make the second beat4 ,the hind-legs are moved in a similar way1 the left hind-foot making the third beat1 and the right one the fourth4 ,these beats vary in accordance with the adjustment of the horse's weight1 but when he gallops true and regular1 as in the canter1 the hoof-beats distinctly mark one1 two1 three1 four4 ,in the rapid gallop the hoof-beats sound in the time of one-two1 or one-two-three4 ,in leading with the left foot1 the left side of the horse will be advanced slightly and the left leg be carried somewhat beyond the right1 the action being just the reverse of that above described when leading with the right leg4 ,in this case the left side is termed the leading side4 ,the hoof-beats of horses in the trot and gallop have been admirably rendered by ,bellini1 in the opera of ,somnambula1 just previous to the entrance of ,rudolfo upon the stage4 ,there are three kinds of gallop1 namely1 the rapid or racing1 the hand gallop1 and the canter4 ,the canter is a slow form of galloping1 which the horse performs by throwing his weight chiefly upon his hind-legs1 the fore ones being used more as supports than as propellers4 ,horses will be found to vary in their modes of cantering1 so much so as to render it almost impossible to describe them accurately4 ,small horses and ponies have a way of cantering with a loose rein1 and without throwing much weight upon their haunches1 moving their feet rapidly1 and giving pattering hoof-beats4 ,most ponies on the ,western prairies canter in this manner1 and it is said to be a very easy gait for a horseman though very unpleasant1 from its joltings1 for a lady4 ,another canter is what might be termed the canter of a livery-stable horse4 ,this appears to be partly a run and partly a canter1 a peculiarity which is due to the fact that one or more of the animal's feet are unsound1 and he adopts this singular movement for the purpose of obtaining relief4 ,the little street gamins in ,london recognize the sound of this canter at once1 and will yell out1 in time with the horse's hoof-beats1 three pence1 two pence1 in sarcastic derision of the lady's hired horse and the unhappy condition of his feet4 ,in the true canter1 which alone is suitable for a lady1 the carriage of the horse is grand and elegant4 ,in this gait1 the animal has his hind-legs well under his body1 all his limbs move regularly1 his neck has a graceful curve1 and responds to the slightest touch of the rider's hand upon the reins4 ,a horse that moves in this manner is one for display2 his grand action will emphasize the grace of a finished rider1 and the appearance of the tout ensemble will be the extreme of elegance and well-bred ease4 ,horses intended for ladies' use are generally trained to lead in the canter with the right or off fore-foot4 ,most lady riders1 whose lessons in riding have been limited1 sit crosswise upon their saddles4 ,this position1 without their being aware of it1 places them more in unison with the horse's movements1 and thereby renders the canter with this lead the easiest gait for them4 ,but if a horse be constantly required to canter with this lead he will soon become unsound in his left hind-leg1 because in leading with the right fore-foot he throws the greater part of his weight upon his left hind-leg1 and thus makes it perform double duty4 ,for this reason the majority of ladies' horses1 when the canter is their principal gait1 will be found to suffer from strained muscles1 tendons1 and articulations4 ,a finished rider will from time to time relieve her horse by changing the lead to the left leg1 or else she will change the canter to a trot4 ,should her horse decidedly refuse to lead with the foot required1 whether right or left1 it may be inferred that he is unsound in that leg or foot2 in which case he should be favored1 and permitted to make his own lead1 while the canter should frequently be changed to a walk4 ,illustration3 ,fig4 #ca4--;,entering upon the ,canter with the ,right ,leg leading4 ,to commence the canter1 the horse must be brought to a walk1 or to a stand1 then be placed on his haunches1 and collected by means of the curb1 left leg1 and whip2 and then the bridle-hand must be raised1 while the second1 third1 and fourth fingers are moved to and fro1 so as to give gentle pulls upon the curb-reins1 thus soliciting the animal to raise his fore-feet4 ,in performing these manoeuvres1 the rider must be careful to direct the leg with which she desires her horse to lead4 ,this may be done as follows3 ,if she desires to have the right leg lead1 the tension upon the left curb-rein must1 just before the animal rises to take his first step1 be increased enough to make him incline his head so far to the left that the rider can see his left nostril1 while1 simultaneously1 her left leg must press against his side4 ,by these means1 the horse will be prompted to place himself obliquely1 with his head rather to the left1 and his croup to the right4 ,the rider1 if seated exactly in the centre of her saddle1 must take a position corresponding to that of the horse1 by throwing her right hip and shoulder somewhat forward1 her face looking toward the animal's head1 while her body is held erect with the shoulders gracefully inclined backward1 and the hollow of the back well curved inward4 ,any stiffness or rigidity of the body must be guarded against in these movements and positions4 ,the rider must hold herself in a pliant manner1 and yield to the motions of the horse4 ,the left leg must be held steady1 the knee being placed directly underneath the third pommel1 and care must be taken not to press upon the stirrup1 as this will tend to raise the body from the saddle1 and convey its weight almost wholly to the left side4 ,the hands must be held somewhat elevated and steady1 and1 as the horse advances1 the tension on the reins must be even1 so that the fingers can feel every cadence of his step1 and give and take with his movements4 ,unlike the trot1 in which the horse must be supported by the snaffle1 the canter will require the curb to sustain and keep up his action4 ,after the animal has started in the canter with the right leg leading1 should he incline too much to the left1 the tension upon the right rein must be increased1 so as to turn his head more to the right and bring him to the proper inclination for the lead of the right leg4 ,this correction must be effected gradually and lightly1 so as not to disturb the gait1 or cause him to change his leading leg4 ,this canter with the right leg leading is very easy to learn1 and will not require much practice to master4 ,however1 should the horse fail to obey these indications of the left rein and leg1 and start off in a false and disunited manner1 as explained under the turn in the canter1 another course should be pursued1 namely3 the tension upon the right or off curb-rein must be increased so as to bring the animal's nose to the right1 as if he were going to turn to the right on a curve1 while at the same time the left leg must be pressed against his side in order to have him carry his croup slightly to the right4 ,now he must be made to lift his fore-feet by increased tension on both curb reins1 and then be urged forward4 ,as he advances1 the hands should be extended a little to give him more freedom in the spring forward1 and he will then naturally lead with the right side advanced4 ,when once started in this gait1 the rider must equalize the tension upon the reins1 having placed herself in the saddle1 in the manner explained for the canter4 ,to have him lead with the left leg1 a similar but reversed course must be pursued1 using pressure with the whip1 instead of the leg1 to make him place his croup to the left4 ,to canter with the left leg leading will be found more difficult to acquire1 and will demand more study and practice4 ,the horse1 having been collected1 must then be inclined obliquely to the right4 ,to accomplish this1 the rider must increase the tension of the right curb-rein1 and press her whip against the animal's right side1 which will urge his head to the right and his croup to the left4 ,in order that the position of the rider's body may correspond with that of the horse1 her left hip and shoulder must be slightly advanced1 in precedence of her right hip and shoulder4 ,it will be observed that the manoeuvring in this lead is similar to that in which the right leg leads1 except that the direction of the positions1 of the management of the reins1 and of the horse's bearing during the canter is simply reversed2 in either lead1 however1 the tension or bearing upon the reins1 as the horse advances in the canter1 must be equal4 ,it may be proper to state here that1 as the amount of tension needed upon the reins when cantering varies considerably with different horses1 some needing only the lightest touch1 the rider will1 consequently1 have to ascertain for herself how much will be suitable for her horse4 ,some horses1 after having fairly started in the canter1 will bend their necks so as to carry their chin closer to the throat1 while others again will extend the neck so as to carry the chin forward4 ,in the first instance1 the reins will have to be shortened in order to give the animal the proper support in the gait1 as well as to keep up the correspondence between his mouth and the bridle-hand2 in the latter they will require to be lengthened1 to give him more freedom in his movement4 ,should the reins be held too short1 or the rider's hand be heavy and unyielding1 the horse will be confined in his canter2 should the reins be held too long1 he will canter carelessly1 and will either move heavily upon his fore-legs1 or break into an irregular trot4 ,a rider may by attending to the following directions readily determine whether her horse be leading with the leg she desires1 and also whether he be advancing in a true and united manner3 ,if he be moving regularly and easily1 with a light play upon the reins in harmony with the give and take movements of the hand1 his head being slightly inclined in a direction opposite to that of the leading leg1 and his action being smooth and pleasant to the rider1 he will1 as a rule1 be cantering correctly4 ,but if he be moving roughly and unevenly1 giving the rider a sensation of jolting1 if his head is inclined toward the same side as that of the leading leg1 and he does not yield prompt obedience to the reins1 then he is not cantering properly1 and should be immediately stopped1 again collected1 and started anew4 ,if necessary this course should be repeated until he advances regularly and unitedly4 ,some horses1 after having fairly entered upon the canter1 will change the leading leg1 and will even keep changing from one to the other1 at short intervals4 ,this is a bad habit1 and one that will never be attempted by a well-trained animal1 unless his rider does not understand how to support him correctly and to keep him leading with the required leg4 ,a horse should never be allowed to change his leading leg except at the will of his rider2 and should he do so1 he should be chidden and stopped instantly1 and then started anew4 ,if the rider when trotting rapidly wishes to change to a canter1 she must first moderate the trot to a walk1 because the horse will otherwise be apt to break from the trot into a rapid gallop4 ,should he insist upon trotting1 when it is desired that he should canter1 he must be stopped1 collected with the curb-bit1 as heretofore described in the directions for commencing the canter1 and started anew4 ,this course must be repeated every time he disobeys1 and be continued until he is made to canter4 ,it may be remarked here that1 in the canter1 whenever the horse moves irregularly1 advances heavily upon his fore-legs1 thus endeavoring to force his rider's hand1 or when he fails to yield ready obedience1 he should always be stopped1 collected1 and started anew1--repeating this course1 if necessary1 several times in succession4 ,should the animal1 however1 persist in his disobedience1 pull upon the reins1 and get his head down1 his rider must1 as he moves on1 gently yield the bridle-reins1 and each time he pulls upon them she must gradually1 but firmly1 increase the tension upon them1 by drawing them in toward her waist4 ,this counter-traction must be continued until the horse yields to the bridle and canters properly4 ,when he pulls upon the reins his rider in advancing her hands to yield the reins should be careful to keep her body erect1 and not allow it to be pulled forward4 ,the turn in the canter4 ,in turning to the right1 if the horse is leading with the inward leg1 or the one toward the centre of the circle of which the distance to be turned forms an arc1 in the present instance the right fore-leg which is followed by the right hind-leg1 he is said to be true and united1 and will be able to make the turn safely4 ,should the turn be made toward the left1 the horse leading with his inward or left fore-leg1 followed by the left hind-leg1 he will likewise be true and united4 ,on the contrary1 the animal will be disunited when1 in cantering to the right1 he leads with the right fore-leg followed by the left hind-leg1 or when he leads with the left fore-leg followed by the right hind-leg4 ,in either case1 from want of equilibrium in action and motion1 a very slight obstruction may make him fall4 ,in turning toward the left1 in a canter1 the horse will be disunited if he leads with the left fore-leg followed by the right hind-leg1 or if he leads with the right fore-leg followed by the left hind-leg1 as in the preceding instance1 he will be liable to fall4 ,a horse is said to go false when1 in turning to the right1 in the canter1 he leads with both left legs1 or advances his left side beyond his right2 also1 when in cantering to the left he leads with both right legs or advances his right side beyond his left2 in either of these false movements he will be very liable to fall4 ,when it is desired to turn to the right1 in the canter1 the horse must be kept well up to the bridle1 so as to place his haunches forward and well under him1 thus keeping him light on his fore-legs1 and preventing his bearing too heavily upon his shoulders2 and1 while the inward rein is being tightened in order to make the turn1 the outward one must continue to support the horse1 being just loose enough to allow him to incline his head and neck toward the inner side of the turn4 ,pressure from the left leg of the rider will keep the animal from inclining his haunches too much to the left1 during the turn4 ,should the steed be turned merely by means of the inward rein1 without being kept well up to the bridle1 and without either leg or whip being used upon his outer side1 he will turn heavily upon his forehand1 and will be obliged to change to the outward leg in order to support himself4 ,this will cause him1 after the turn has been accomplished1 to advance in a disunited way in the canter4 ,when it is desired to turn to the left1 the instructions in the preceding paragraph may be pursued1 the directions1 however1 being reversed and pressure with the whip being employed instead of that with the leg4 ,sudden1 sharp turns1 are always dangerous1 however sure-footed the horse may be1 and especial care should be taken not to turn quickly to the right when the left fore-leg leads1 nor to the left when the right fore-leg leads1 as in either case the animal will almost certainly be thrown off his balance4 ,in turning a sharp corner1 especially when the rider cannot see what she is liable to encounter1 it will be better for her to make the turn at a walk1 and keep her own side of the road1 the right4 ,the stop in the canter4 ,in bringing the horse to a stand1 in the canter1 he should be well placed on his haunches by gradually increasing the pull upon the curb-reins just as his fore-feet are descending toward the ground2 the hind-feet being then well under the horse will complete the stop4 ,the rider must guard against leaning forward1 as this will not only prevent the horse from executing the stop in proper form1 but should he suddenly come to a stand1 it will throw her still farther forward1 and the reins will become relaxed4 ,now1 while she is thus leaning forward1 should the animal suddenly raise his head1 the two heads will be very likely to come into unpleasant contact2 or should the horse stumble1 his liability to fall will be increased1 because the rider will not be in a proper position to support him1 and will increase the weight upon his shoulders1 by being so far forward4 ,many ladies not only lean forward while effecting the stop1 but also draw the bridle-hand to the left1 and carry the bridle-arm back so that the elbow projects behind and beyond the body1 while at the same time they elevate the shoulder on this side4 ,this is an extremely awkward manner of bringing a horse to a stand4 ,the stop should be made in the same manner as that described in the walk1 that is1 by gradually drawing the bridle-hand toward the waist1 etc4 ,nearly all horses1 unless exceptionally well trained1 will trot a short distance before coming to a stand in the canter or gallop1 and it is here that a knowledge of the ,french or cavalry trot will prove essential1 because the rider will then comprehend the motion1 and will sit closely to the saddle until the horse stops4 ,in all cases1 the horse should be brought to a stand in a regular1 collected manner1 so that with a little more liberty of rein he can promptly renter upon the canter1 should this be desired4 ,,chapter ,x4 ,,the ,,hand ,,gallop4--,,the ,,flying ,,gallop4 ,now we're off like the winds to the plains whence they came2 ,and the rapture of motion is thrilling my frame6 ,on1 on speeds my courser1 scarce printing the sod1 ,scarce crushing a daisy to mark where he trod6 ,on1 on like a deer1 when the hound's early bay ,awakes the wild echoes1 away1 and away6 ,still faster1 still farther1 he leaps at my cheer1 ,till the rush of the startled air whirs in my ear6 ,now 'long a clear rivulet lieth his track1-- ,see his glancing hoofs tossing the white pebbles back6 ,now a glen dark as midnight--what matter8--we'll down ,though shadows are round us1 and rocks o'er us frown2 ,the thick branches shake as we're hurrying through1 ,and deck us with spangles of silvery dew6 ,,grace ,,greenwood4 ,the hand gallop is an intermediate gait between the canter and the flying gallop4 ,its motion1 though rather rapid1 is smooth1 easy1 and very agreeable for both rider and steed4 ,nearly all horses1 especially spirited ones1 prefer this movement to any other2 the bronchos on the plains of the far ,west will keep up this long1 easy lope or hand gallop for miles1 without changing their gait1 or requiring their riders to draw rein1 and without any apparent fatigue4 ,this pace is likewise a favorite one with riding parties1 as the motion is so smooth that conversation can be kept up without difficulty4 ,if the animal's movements are light1 supple1 and elegant1 the lady rider presents a very graceful appearance when riding this gait1 as the reactions in it are very mild2 it is the gait par excellence1 for a country ride4 ,on a breezy summer morning1 there is nothing more exhilarating than a ride at a hand gallop1 on a willing1 spirited horse2 it brightens the spirits1 braces the nerves1 refreshes the brain1 and enables one to realize that life is worth living4 ,i tell thee1 ,o stranger1 that unto me ,the plunge of a fiery steed ,is a noble thought1--to the brave and free ,it is music1 and breath1 and majesty1-- ',tis the life of a noble deed2 ,and the heart and the mind are in spirit allied ,in the charm of a morning's glorious ride4 ,let all gloomy1 dyspeptic invalids try the cheering effects of a hand gallop1 that they may catch a glimpse of the sunlight that is always behind even the darkest cloud of despondency4 ,when the horse is advancing in a collected canter1 if the rider will animate him a little more by gentle taps with the whip1 and then as he springs forward give him more liberty of the curb-rein1 he will enter upon a hand gallop4 ,in this gait he will lead either with the left or the right foot1 but the oblique position of his body will be very slight4 ,the management of the reins1 the turns to the right or to the left1 the stop1 and the position of the rider's body1 must1 in this gait be the same as in the canter1 except that the body need not be quite so erect1 and the touch upon the reins must be very light1 barely appreciable4 ,if riding a spirited horse1 the lady must be upon her guard1 lest he increase his speed and enter into a flying or racing gallop4 ,any horse is liable to do this when he has not been properly exercised1 especially if he is with other horses1 when a spirit of rivalry is aroused1 and he sometimes becomes almost unmanageable from excitement4 ,many livery-stable horses1 although quiet enough in the city1 will1 when ridden upon country roads1 especially in the spring1 require all the skill of their riders to keep them under control4 ,the change from the stone and brick of the city or town to the odor of the fresh grass and the sight of green fields has an exhilarating effect upon them1 and makes them almost delirious with gladness1 so that they act like anything but sensible1 quiet1 well-worked horses4 ,when her horse manifests any such disposition1 the rider must retain her presence of mind1 and not permit any nervousness or excitement on her part to increase that of her horse4 ,she must keep him well under the control of the curb-bit1 and not allow him to increase his speed2 when he endeavors to do so1 she must sit erect1 and every time his fore-feet touch the ground she must tighten the curb-reins1 by drawing them gradually but firmly toward her waist4 ,she will thus check the animal's desire to increase his speed1 by compelling him to rest upon her hand at short intervals until he can be brought under command and again made obedient4 ,care must be taken not to make this strong pull upon the animal's mouth constant1 as this will be more apt to increase than to lessen his speed1 and will also prevent her from turning him readily should she encounter any object upon the road4 ,should the horse1 however1 continue to disobey the commands of his rider1 and persist in his efforts to increase his speed1 she must then lean well back1 and saw his mouth with the snaffle-reins1 that is1 she must pull first one of these reins and then the other in rapid succession2 this may cause him to swerve out of a straight course1 but if he has a snaffle-bit separate from the curb this sawing will generally have the desired effect1 and stop him4 ,if the horse should get his head down and manifest a disposition to change the full gallop into a runaway1 the rider must1 as she values her own safety1 keep her body well inclined backward1 for some horses1 when excited1 will1 while their riders are endeavoring to check or control them1 kick up as they gallop along1 and the rider1 unless she is prepared for such movements1 will be in danger of being thrown4 ,in such a case every effort must be made to raise the horse's head4 ,to do this1 the rider must slacken the curb-reins for a moment1 and then suddenly give them a strong1 decided jerk upward2 this will cause a severe shock to the horse's mouth1 and make him raise his head and stop suddenly1 a movement that may throw her toward or upon the front of the saddle with considerable force1 unless she guard herself against such an accident by leaning well back4 ,should the horse1 when galloping at full speed1 turn a corner in spite of the efforts of his rider1 she must keep a steady pull upon the outer curb-rein1 and lean well back and in toward the centre of the curve which the horse is describing in his turn4 ,all this must be done quickly1 or she will lose her balance and fall off upon the outer side4 ,during all these violent efforts of the horse the rider must keep a firm1 steady seat1 pressing her left knee up strongly against the third pommel1 and at the same time holding the second clasped firmly by the bend of her right knee4 ,if she recollects to do all this1 there will be little cause for alarm1 as it will then be very difficult for her horse to unseat her4 ,the combined balance and grip of limbs will give her a firmer seat than it is possible for a man to acquire in his saddle4 ,illustration3 ,fig4 #cb4--,the ,flying ,gallop4 ,in the flying or racing gallop the horse manifests the utmost capabilities of his speed1 his body at every push of his hind-legs being raised from the ground so quickly that he will appear as if almost flying through the air2 hence the name flying gallop4 ,in this gait it is unimportant with which leg the horse leads1 provided the advance of the hind-leg on the same side as that of the leading one be made correspondingly4 ,it is advisable that every lady rider should learn to sit the flying gallop1 as she will then be better able to maintain her seat1 and to manage her horse should she ever have the misfortune to be run away with4 7,fig4 #cb47 ,many ladies1 when riding in the country1 enjoy a short exhilarating flying gallop2 and for their benefit a few instructions are here given that will enable them to indulge their penchant for rapid riding1 without danger to themselves1 or injury to their horses4 ,before the lady attempts rapid riding1 however1 she must be thoroughly trained in all the other gaits of the animal1 must possess strong1 healthy nerves1 and must have sufficient muscular power in her arms to hold and manage her horse1 and to stop him whenever occasion requires2 she must also have fitted to his mouth a curb-bit which possesses sufficient power to control him and to bring him to a stand1 when this is desired4 ,above all1 her horse must be sure-footed1 and free from any and every defect that might occasion stumbling4 ,every point having been carefully attended to1 and the lady being ready for the ride1 she must sit firmly upon the centre of the saddle1 grasping the second and third pommels1 as described above4 ,she must be careful not to press strongly upon the stirrup1 as this will tend to raise her body from the saddle4 ,from the hips down the body and limbs must be held as immovable as possible4 ,the body1 below the waist1 must by its own weight1 aided by the clasp of the right and left legs upon their respective pommels1 secure a firm seat upon the saddle4 ,from the waist up the body must be pliable1 the shoulders being well back1 and the back curved in1 so that the rider may keep her balance1 and control the horse's action4 ,the reins must be held separately1 in the manner described for holding the double bridle-reins in both hands4 ,the animal must be ridden and supported by the snaffle-reins1 the curb being held ready to check him instantly should he endeavor to obtain the mastery4 ,the hands must be held low1 and about six or eight inches apart1 and the rider's body must lean back somewhat4 ,leaning forward is a favorite trick of the horse-jockey when riding a race1 as it is supposed to assist the horse1 and also enable the rider to raise himself on the stirrups2 but as lady riders are not horse-jockeys1 and are not supposed to ride for a wager1 but simply for the enjoyment of an exhilarating exercise1 it will not be at all necessary for them to assume this stooping posture4 ,many of the best horsemen1 when riding at full gallop in the hunting field1 or on the road1 prefer to incline the body somewhat backward1 this having been found the safest as well as most graceful position for the rider4 ,as the horse moves rapidly forward1 the rider1 while keeping a firm hand upon the snaffle-reins so as to give full support to the horse1 must be sure with every stride of the animal to give and take1 and this motion1 instead of being limited to the hands and wrists1 as in all other gaits1 must in this one embrace the whole of the fore-arms1 which1 using the elbows as a hinge1 should move as far as is necessary4 ,to stop the horse in a flying gallop1 the curb-reins must be drawn upward and toward the waist gradually1 for should they be pulled upon suddenly it would be apt to stop him so abruptly that he would either become overbalanced1 or cross his legs1 and fall4 ,in this gait1 the rider should never attempt to turn her horse except upon a very large circle1 because1 even when in the proper position1 unless she possesses great muscular power1 she will be almost certain to be thrown off on the outward side by the forcible and vigorous impetus imparted4 ,,chapter ,,xi4 ,,the ,,leap4--,,the ,,standing ,,leap4--,,the ,,flying ,,leap4 ,soft thy skin as silken skein1 ,soft as woman's hair thy mane1 ,tender are thine eyes and true2 ,all thy hoofs like ivory shine1 ,polished bright2 oh1 life of mine1 ,leap1 and rescue ,kurroglou6 ,kyrat1 then1 the strong and fleet1 ,drew together his four white feet1 ,paused a moment on the verge1 ,measured with his eye the space1 ,and into the air's embrace ,leaped as leaps the ocean serge4 ,,longfellow1 ,the ,leap of ,roushan ,beg4 ,a lady rider who has the nerve and confidence to ride a hand gallop1 or a flying gallop1 will be ready to learn to leap4 ,indeed1 instruction in this accomplishment should always be given1 as it is of great assistance in many emergencies4 ,the most gentle horse may become frightened1 shy suddenly to one side1 or plunge violently for some reason or other1 and these abrupt movements strongly resemble those of leaping2 if1 therefore1 the rider understands the leap1 she will know better how to maintain her equilibrium4 ,or she may meet some obstruction on the road1 as the trunk of a tree felled by a storm2 when1 instead of being compelled to return home without finishing her ride1 she can leap over the obstacle4 ,again1 should she at any time be in great haste to reach her destination she may1 by leaping some low gap in a fence1 or some small stream1 be able to take one or more short cuts1 and thus greatly lessen the distance she would have had to ride on the road4 ,leaping is by no means difficult to learn4 ,with an ,english saddle1 the third pommel will prevent the rider from being shaken off by the violence of the motion1 and will thus make leaping entirely safe for a lady provided the horse be well-trained and sure-footed4 ,before venturing upon a leap1 three requisites are necessary3 first1 the horse must be a good and fearless leaper2 second1 the rider must have confidence in herself and steed1 because any nervousness on her part will be apt to cause the animal to leap awkwardly2 and third1 she must always be sure of the condition of the ground on the opposite side of the object over which the leap is to be made--it must neither slope abruptly down1 nor present any thorny bushes1 nor be so soft and soggy that the horse will be apt to sink into it4 ,no risk must be taken in the leap1 except in cases of emergency1 when1 of course1 the rider may have neither time nor opportunity to select her ground1 and be obliged to leap her steed over the nearest available point4 ,the author once avoided what might have proved a serious accident to both herself and horse1 by promptly leaping him over a hedge of thorn bushes1 upon the other side of which was a river3 this was done in order to avoid colliding in a narrow road with a frightened1 runaway team1 which was quite beyond the control of its driver4 ,illustration3 ,fig4 #cc4--,the ,standing ,leap--,rising4 ,the standing leap will prove more difficult to learn than the flying leap1 but1 nevertheless1 it should be the first one practiced1 and when once acquired1 the other will be mere play4 ,a bar twelve feet long1 raised two feet from the ground1 will be sufficient for practice in this exercise2 if a lady can manage a leap of this height with expertness and grace1 she will be fully able to bound over a still higher obstacle1 should she desire to do so1 and her horse be equal to the occasion4 ,before attempting the leap1 she must be sure that she is perfectly secure upon the saddle1 with her left knee directly under the third pommel so as to press it firmly against the latter as the horse rises to the leap2 her left leg1 from the knee to the stirrup1 must hang perpendicularly#h along the side of the horse1 the inner surface or side of the knee lightly pressing against the saddle-flap2 her foot must be well placed in the stirrup2 her seat directly in the centre of the saddle2 her body erect and square to the front2 her shoulders well back2 and the small of her back curved in4 ,the right leg must firmly grasp the second pommel as the horse rises1 and the right heel be held somewhat back1 and close to the fore-flap of the saddle4 ,the hands must be held low1 and about six inches apart1 with a snaffle-rein in each1 and the curb-reins must be so placed that the rider will not unconsciously draw upon them1 but must not hang so loosely as to become caught accidentally upon any projecting article with which they may come in contact4 ,if all these points be carefully attended to1 just previous to walking the horse up to the bar1 the rider will be in correct position and ready for the leap1 which she will accomplish very quickly1 with perfect security1 and with a much firmer seat than that obtained by the most finished horseman4 ,footnote #h3 ,if the leap be a very high one1 the left foot may be thrust a little more forward to enable the rider to lean back as far as is necessary4 ,the principal movement for which the rider should be prepared in leaping is that of being thrown forward on the saddle1 both when the horse makes the spring and when his fore-feet touch the ground4 ,in order to avoid this accident1 the rider1 keeping a firm seat and grasp upon the pommels1 must incline her shoulders somewhat backward1 both when the horse springs from the ground and also during the descent1 the amount of inclination varying with the height of the leap4 ,the erect position should be resumed when the hind-legs have again touched the ground4 ,in a very high leap1 the rider's body should be bent so far back during the descent as to look almost as if in contact with the back of the horse4 ,when the points named above have been attended to1 the horse must be collected1 with his hind-legs well under him1 and then be briskly walked up to the bar or obstacle to be leaped and placed directly before it1 but not so close that he cannot clear it without striking his knees against it as he rises1--sufficient room must always be allowed him for his spring4 ,now1 after receiving a light touch or pull upon the reins to tell him that his rider is ready1 he will raise himself upon his hind-legs for the leap4 ,as he rises1 the rider's body1 if properly seated1 as heretofore explained1 will naturally assume a sufficient inclination forward without any effort on her part4 ,while in this position she must not carry her shoulders forward1 but must keep them well back1 with the waist well curved in as when sitting erect4 ,it should never be forgotten that in the rise during the leap1 just previous to the spring1 no efforts whatever must be made by the rider to support the horse1 or to lift him1 but instead1 she should simply hold the reins so lightly that his mouth can just be felt1 which is called giving a free rein4 ,if the reins be allowed to hang too loosely they may catch upon some object not noticed by the rider1 and not only be wrenched from her hands1 but also give the horse's mouth a severe jerk1 or perhaps throw him upon the ground4 ,too loose a rein would1 moreover1 be apt to make it impossible for her to give timely support to the animal as his fore-feet touched the ground4 ,the leap1 it must be borne in mind1 is effected very quickly4 7,fig4 #cc47 ,as the horse springs from his hind-legs to make the leap1 the rider must advance her arms1 with her hands held as low as possible so as to give him a sufficiently free rein to enable him to extend himself2 this position of the arms will also prevent the reins from being forcibly wrested from her hands by the horse's movements4 ,at the moment of the spring and the advance of the arms1 the rider's body must be inclined backward1 the erect position of the waist and shoulders being1 however1 maintained4 ,as the animal's fore-feet touch the ground1 the hands must be gently drawn in toward the waist in order to support him1 as such support will be expected by the horse1 and must be continued even after his hind-legs rest upon the ground1 so that the animal will not become disunited1 but will move onward in a collected manner4 7,fig4 #cd47 ,illustration3 ,fig4 #cd4--,the ,standing ,leap--,descending4 ,many riding-teachers instruct their pupils to incline the body well forward as the horse rises1 while others require their pupils to lean well back4 ,the advocates of the former method say that this forward inclination conforms to the position of the horse at the time1 and so places the weight of the body as to assist the horse in his spring4 ,they who adopt the other method maintain that if the body be inclined forward in the rise1 it will be almost1 if not quite1 impossible for the rider1 from the rapidity with which the horse extends himself1 to make the backward inclination in time to enable her to regain her balance quickly4 ,a happy medium will prove the best4 ,if the rider be seated correctly at the time the horse rises1 her body will naturally incline a little forward1 and there will be but little weight upon the horse's hind-quarters1 while1 as he springs and extends himself in his leap1 she can promptly adapt herself to his movements and incline her body backward4 ,by leaning back as the horse rises on his hind-legs1 the weight of his rider will be thrown upon his hind-quarters1 and she will present an awkward appearance2 while at the same time she will be very apt to shorten the reins1 and thus confine the horse so much that his leap will become clumsy and dangerous4 ,on commencing the leap the rider1 as heretofore stated1 must never attempt to raise the horse by the reins2 a light1 gentle touch or pull given to them with the fingers1 as when starting upon a hand gallop1 is all that will be necessary4 ,the horse must be left free to take the leap in his own way1 using his own instinct or judgment in order that he may clear his fore feet from the bar or object over which he has to pass4 ,during the rise1 the rider must carefully guard against raising her hands1 and also against jerking or holding back the reins1 as either of these movements will discourage the horse1 and1 should he be tender mouthed1 he will refuse to leap at all1 his own instinct warning him that it is dangerous to attempt it under such conditions4 ,a rather hard mouthed1 courageous animal1 that has had experience with awkward riders1 will1 as he extends himself in the leap1 force his rider's hands by a sudden jerk of his head1 so as either to pull the reins out of her hands1 or1 should she manage to retain her hold upon them1 to pull her forward upon the saddle4 ,many ladies1 in their fear of becoming displaced during the leap1 will unconsciously press their left leg and foot strongly against the side of the horse1 thus causing him to swerve or to refuse to leap4 ,gentlemen teachers are apt to be unaware of this pressure1 as the leg is hidden underneath the riding skirt1 and not unfrequently they have been puzzled to comprehend why a well-trained1 docile horse should leap very well with some of their lady pupils1 and awkwardly1 or not at all1 with others4 ,a common error1 in attempting to leap1 is to sit too far back upon the saddle1 a position that not only prevents the rider from supporting herself properly by the pommels1 but is also likely to occasion her a severe jar as the horse's feet touch the ground4 ,when in the correct position1 the body is placed as far forward upon the saddle as the pommels will permit1 the waist and shoulders only being inclined backward1 as already described4 ,pressing heavily upon the stirrup is another fault4 ,this not only destroys the usefulness of the third pommel1 but1 as has already been remarked1 such pressure will tend to lift the body from the saddle4 ,the foot should merely be kept light and steady in the stirrup4 ,it will be better for a beginner to leap with a snaffle-rein in each hand4 ,after having thoroughly learned how to make the leap properly1 she may then prefer to hold all the reins in the left hand4 ,in this case1 she must be very careful not to throw up the unoccupied right hand and arm as the horse passes over the obstacle2 for1 besides being a very ungraceful movement1 it may lead the horse to suppose that he is about to be struck with the whip1 and so cause him to make the leap precipitately1 and upon reaching the ground to gallop wildly off4 ,the rider must hold her head firm1 not only for the sake of appearances1 but also to escape biting her tongue and receiving a violent jerk of the neck1 when the horse's feet touch the ground4 ,if a horse1 just before leaping1 be too much confined or collected by an unnecessary degree of tension upon the reins1 especially if he be not thoroughly trained1 he will rise from all four legs almost simultaneously1 and also alight upon them all together4 ,in horse-jockey's parlance this is termed a buck-leap4 ,it is an awkward manner of leaping1 and gives a severe shock to the animal beside fearfully jolting his rider4 ,again1 a horse not well trained in the leap1 or somewhat indolent1 may1 if not animated and properly collected just before rising1 fail to leap over the obstacle1 or in passing over it may strike it with his hind-feet1 for he will attempt the leap in a loose1 straggling manner4 ,an animal that is well trained1 and accustomed to leaping1 will take care of himself1 and will require very little assistance from his rider2 a light hand upon the reins just before he rises1 a free rein as he extends himself1 and support when he touches the ground being all that is necessary4 ,should the lady be expert in riding1 and desire to teach her steed to leap1 she can readily do so by pursuing the following course3 ,let a bar about twelve feet in length1 and two feet from the ground1 be so arranged that the horse cannot pass around it4 ,if possible1 he should be allowed to see a well-trained horse leap over this bar a number of times2 then taking advantage of a time when her horse is hungry1 his mistress should give him a few oats and1 passing over the bar1 she should rattle the oats and call to him1 when he will bound over to obtain them4 ,this course should be followed at each meal1 and she should reward him by feeding1 caressing1 and praising him every time he leaps the bar1--the object being to accustom him to leap it without being whipped or treated harshly4 ,by thus being allowed to take the leap of his own accord and without assistance1 he will gain confidence1 and will not be apt to refuse when his rider is placed upon his back4 ,in the course of this training1 the appearance of the bar should be changed in various ways1 as1 for example1 by placing different bright colored articles upon it1 such as pieces of carpet1 rugs1 shawls1 etc4 ,if he be accustomed to leap only over an object that invariably presents the same appearance1 he may refuse to leap one of a different aspect4 ,having thus trained the horse until he has become quite familiar with the movements of the leap1 and does not refuse to pass over the bar1 whatever appearance it may present1 he will then be ready for his rider4 ,for the first few trials the lady should take care to have the bar consist of some material that can readily be broken1 in order to prevent any accident should the horse1 in passing over with her weight upon his back1 strike it with either his fore or hind feet4 ,once mounted1 she should teach him to clear the bar in a deliberate manner1 not allowing him to rush at it and jump from all four feet at once4 ,she will have to collect him1 cause him to place his hind-legs under him so that1 as he rises1 his weight will be thrown upon his haunches1 and1 as he leaps over1 she must be exceedingly careful not to restrain him in the least1 as any thoughtless act or awkwardness on her part may give him a great distaste for an exercise which1 otherwise1 he would have no reluctance in performing4 ,with regard to teaching a young horse to leap1 the author is much gratified to know that her views are sustained by several eminent equestrians1 and among them ,mr4 ,e4 ,mayhew of ,england1 who states that a horse should never be allowed to leap until he has attained at least his fifth year1 and who in his excellent work1 entitled ,the ,illustrated ,horse ,management1 etc41 remarks3 ,to place a rider upon an animal's back and then to expect a bar to be cleared is very like loading a young lady with a sack of flour1 as preparatory to a dancing lesson being received4 ,this folly is1 however1 universally practiced2 so is that of teaching the paces1 when the quadruped's attention is probably engrossed by the burden which the spine has to sustain4 ,leaping is best taught by turning the horse into a small paddock having a low hedge or hurdle-fence across its centre4 ,a rider should1 in sight of the animal1 take an old horse over several times4 ,the groom who brings the corn at the meal hour then goes to that side where the animal is not and calls1 shaking up the provender all the time his voice sounds4 ,the boundary will soon be cleared4 ,when half the quantity is eaten1 the man should proceed to the opposite compartment and call again4 ,if this is done every time the young horse is fed1 the fence may be gradually heightened2 after six months of such tuition1 a light rider may be safely placed upon the back4 ,instruction1 thus imparted1 neither strains the structures nor tries the temper4 ,the habit is acquired without those risks which necessarily attend a novel performance1 while a burden oppresses the strength1 and whip or spur distracts the attention4 ,the body is not disabled by the imposition of a heavy load before its powers are taxed to the uttermost4 ,the quadruped has all its capabilities unfettered1 and1 in such a state1 leaping speedily becomes as easy of performance as any other motion4 ,horses leap in different ways2 the best leapers being those which just glide over the object without touching it1--they appear to measure the height required for the leap1 and1 whether the object be high or low1 they skim close to it4 ,such animals can be trusted1 and may be allowed to leap without urging or hurrying them1 for they require very little assistance from their riders1 and do better when left to themselves4 ,other horses exaggerate the leap and rise higher than is required2 they make a very fine appearance when leaping1 but are apt to light too close to the opposite side of the bar or obstacle1 because they expend all their energies on height instead of width4 ,the worst leapers are those which1 instead of clearing the bar at a single bound1 make two bounds1 as it were1 in passing over it3 the fore-part of the horse having passed over1 the body will seem to be resting for an appreciable time upon the fore-legs4 ,the flying leap can be taken1 without stopping1 from any gait that is more rapid than a walk1 though commonly taken from the gallop4 ,it is a very easy leap1 being little more than an extended gallop4 ,the rider takes the same firm1 central position upon the saddle as has been described for the standing leap4 ,in the flying leap the body must be inclined well back from the start1 care being taken not to make any forward inclination whatever4 ,when the horse has fairly landed1 after the leap1 the body must again become erect4 ,the degree of the backward inclination must be in accordance with the height and width of the leap4 ,during the whole period of the leap the hands must be kept low and the reins be freely given to the animal1 which must be supported as he lands on the opposite side4 ,as the horse runs toward the object to be leaped over1 the rider must1 when about twelve or fifteen yards from it1 gradually relax the reins1 by advancing her bridle hand or hands2 and1 if her horse be a willing and good leaper1 he may be allowed to select his own pace1 and use his own judgment as to the proper distance from which to make the spring4 ,if the horse be unused to leaping1 or be unwilling1 the rider must be upon her guard lest he attempt to defend himself and avoid the leap1 either by suddenly swerving to one side or by stopping before the object to be leaped and then backing1 or rearing4 ,these actions are generally the result of the horse's want of confidence in his own powers1 and severity will only make matters worse4 ,in a dilemma of this kind1 the rider will have to convert the flying into the standing leap1 as follows3-- ,she must turn her horse and walk him a short distance away from the object1 then1 turning him again toward it1 she must encourage him to advance slowly that he may take a good look at it2 at the same time she must have a light and ready hand on the reins1 just firm enough to keep his head steady and maintain control over his neck1 so as to prevent him from swerving to the right or to the left4 ,she should then kindly and firmly encourage him to make the bound2 and by patience and perseverance in this course he will generally be induced to do so4 ,after he has obeyed1 she must not make him repeat the movement several times in succession1 as if she were triumphing over him1 because he might regard such a process as a sort of challenge1 and renew the contest2 instead of such measures1 he should be allowed to pass on quietly1 no further attention being given to the matter4 ,by this change from the flying to the standing leap the horse can be better prevented from shying1 and on the next occasion will be apt to make the flying leap over the object without swerving4 ,the whip or spur should never be employed to make an obstinate or timid horse leap1 as he will ever after associate such objects as those over which he has been thus urged or forced to leap with fear of punishment1 and his rider will never be sure of him when approaching one of them1 for he will either shy1 or else bound over it in such a flurried manner as will prove dangerous both to himself and his rider4 ,an indolent horse1 that requires to be roused by whip or spur1 is not a suitable one for a lady to ride at a leap4 ,some horses will refuse to leap when traveling alone1 but will do so spiritedly and excellently when in company with others of their kind4 ,,chapter ,,xii4 ,,defenses ,,of ,,the ,,horse4--,,critical ,,situations4 ,high pampered steeds1 ere tamed1 the lash disdain1 ,and proudly foam1 impatient of the rein4 ,,virgil1 ,sotheby's ,translation4 ,the startling steed was seized with sudden fright4 ,,dryden4 ,a lady's horse is generally selected for his gentleness1 soundness1 good training1 and freedom from vice1 and the rider's management of him is usually so kind and considerate that he is seldom roused to rebellion2 hence1 she is rarely called upon to enter into a contention with him4 ,the docility of a lady's steed is almost proverbial1 and when purchasing a horse the highest recommendation as to his gentleness and safeness is the assurance that he has been used to carry a woman4 ,horse-dealers are well acquainted with this fact1 and attach a high value to it1 as a sure criterion of the animal's kindly nature4 ,no lady rider1 however expert she may be1 will1 if she be wise and have a regard for her own safety1 ride or endeavor to conquer a really vicious horse2 yet there may be times when even the hitherto most docile animal will suddenly display that which in ,yorkshire dialect is called mistech2 that is1 there may be unexpectedly developed a restive trait1 for which there seems to be no reason4 ,even a really good-natured horse may1 owing to high feed and little work1 shy1 plunge1 and kick1 in his exuberance of spirits1 and should his rider not know how to control these sudden and unexpected manifestations1 he may gain the ascendency1 and she be thrown from the saddle4 ,that which1 on the part of the horse1 is intended for good-humored play1 may thus1 from want of control1 degenerate into positive viciousness4 ,a skillful rider will manage and endure the prancings1 pawings1 and impatience of her steed1--which are frequently only his method of expressing satisfaction and happiness in carrying his kind mistress1--and will continue riding and controlling him until he becomes calm and quiet1 and ceases to display his impulsive sensitiveness4 ,again1 a lady may have occasion to ride a strange horse1 of whose disposition she knows very little4 ,it is1 therefore1 very important that every horsewoman should be prepared to meet and to overcome any eccentric demonstrations on the part of the animal she may be riding4 ,some horses are constitutionally nervous and timid1 always fearful and upon the lookout1 constantly scrutinizing every object around them1 and keeping their riders incessantly on the watch4 ,these horses1 though disagreeable to ride1 are seldom dangerous1 as they will readily obey the reins and yield to the hand that has many times proved its reliability and correctness4 ,,shying4--,the position in which a horse places his ears is a sure indication of his immediate intentions4 ,when he raises his head and points his ears strongly forward1 it is because he sees some object at the side of the road1 or approaching1 which renders him uneasy or even fearful4 ,in such a case1 his rider must be prepared for a sudden leap to one side1 a whirl around1 or a quick darting from the road4 ,she must not allow herself to become nervous and jerk or suddenly tighten the reins1 for then the animal will think that she is likewise afraid1 and that he is justified in his own fright4 ,on the contrary1 she must maintain her presence of mind1 quietly and calmly take a snaffle-rein in each hand1 draw them just tight enough to feel the horse's mouth1 keep his head high and straight forward1 and1 as he approaches the object that has alarmed him1 gently turn his head away from it1 so that in passing he can see as little of it as possible2 at the same time she should press her leg or whip against the horse on the side toward which he is likely to shy1--also speaking to him in a firm and assuring tone of voice1 that he may be led to understand there is nothing to fear4 ,in following these directions the rider must be mindful of her balance1 because1 notwithstanding all her efforts1 the horse may leap out of the road2 she should sit erect1 keep a firm hold on both pommels with the legs1 check him as soon as possible1 and then bring him again upon the road4 ,should he swerve and attempt to rush past the object1 his rider must not try to pull his head toward it1 but1 holding the reins with steady hands1 must keep him headed straight forward1 and1 after he has passed1 gradually rein him in4 ,should he make a half turn from the object1 he must be turned completely around1 so as to face it1 and then be urged forward by the aid of the left leg and whip1 while he is at the same time spoken to in a quiet1 encouraging tone4 ,if the horse have confidence in his rider1 and his fright be not a pretense1 he will thus be induced to go by1 and on future occasions will pass by the same object with indifference4 ,severity1 such as scolding and whipping1 will only render him more fearful1 and since he will always regard the object of his fright as being the cause of his punishment1 he will1 consequently1 the next time of meeting with it become still more unmanageable4 ,but1 having passed it at first without experiencing any pain1 he will gain confidence in the judgment of his rider1 imagine he has made a mistake in being alarmed1 and be satisfied that1 after all1 there was no occasion for dread4 ,a horse should never be caressed1 patted1 or coaxed1 either just before or just after he has passed any object he dislikes1 because he may misinterpret these acts1 and imagine that he has done just right in shying1 and will1 therefore1 be very apt to repeat the act in order again to receive the praise of his rider4 ,it will always be better1 in such cases1 to ride on as usual1 and act as if the matter were of no consequence4 ,on the other hand1 a horse should never be whipped after he has passed an object that terrifies him4 ,some riders are afraid to whip the horse while he is in the act of shying1 but will lay on the lash after he has passed the cause of his dread2 this will not only be a tardy vengeance that crowns a cowardly act1 but will cause the animal to conclude that he has done wrong in passing by1 and on the next occasion for alarm he will either delay as long as possible in dread of the remembered whipping1 or else will plunge quickly by the object1 and1 perhaps1 add to the vice of shying that of running away4 ,the course pursued by some persons of making a horse pass and repass a number of times in succession an object which has caused him to shy is an erroneous one1 as it gives him a chance for again resisting1 and makes the rider appear vainglorious and pretentious4 ,whether a horse shies from real fright1 or from mere pretense or affectation1 the severe use of whip or spur to force him by the object he is shying at will always do more harm than good4 ,mildness and forbearance1 combined with firmness1 will invariably do much more to tranquillize him and to render him obedient than severity and harsh measures4 ,horsemen who1 from actual experience1 are well able to advise say1 ,let the horse alone1 neither letting him perceive that we are aware we are advancing toward anything that he dislikes1 nor doing more with him when in the act of shying than is necessary for due restraint and a steady hand upon the reins4 ,when a horse shies from pretense of fright1 it is either from exuberance of spirits1 because he has not been sufficiently exercised1 or else because he has detected timidity in his rider1 and shies from pure love of mischief and the desire to amuse himself by augmenting her fears4 ,although not intending any real harm1 he may manage1 to his own astonishment1 to unseat her1 and1 by thus discovering what he can do1 may become a vicious rogue1 and make every strange object an excuse for a dangerous shy4 ,the only remedy for this affectation and mischievousness will be a courageous and determined rider on his back1 who will give him more work than he likes2 he will then1 of his own accord1 soon tire of his tricks4 ,when a horse that has had plenty of work and a good rider to manage him nevertheless continues to shy1 it will generally be found that his vision is defective4 ,if he is a young horse1 with very prominent eyes1 the probability is that he is near-sighted2 if an old horse1 that his vision--having undergone a change similar to that of a human being who is advanced in years--is imperfect for near objects1 which appear confused and blurred2 in other words1 that he is troubled with long-sightedness1 or presbyopia4 ,in these cases the horse becomes fearful and suspicious1 and his quick imagination transforms that which he cannot distinctly see into something terrifying4 ,ocular science has not advanced so far as to have determined a remedy for these visual difficulties except by the use of glasses2 and to place spectacles upon a horse to improve his sight would be inconvenient as well as decidedly unique4 ,animals thus afflicted are unsuited for either saddle or harness1 as they are more dangerous than if they are totally blind1 and the only safe course to pursue when one is compelled to use them will be the very undesirable one of completely blindfolding them4 ,many a horse has been severely punished and condemned for viciousness1 when his fault arose from defective vision4 ,sometimes a horse becomes discontented and uneasy from being always ridden over the same road2 this dull routine is irksome to him1 especially if he be spirited1 and he ventures upon some act of disobedience in order to create variety and excitement4 ,he may commence by sideling toward other horses or objects on his left1 or by suddenly turning around to the right4 ,in the first case1 the rider must instantly take a snaffle-rein in each hand1 and instead of attempting to turn him from the object1 she must rein his head directly toward it1 and then back him from it4 ,by these means1 his body will form a concavity on the side toward the object1 thus preventing injury to the rider or horse1 and she will be able to retreat in safety4 ,in the second instance1 the horse instinctively knows that he is opposing his strongest side to the weakest one of his rider1 and it is useless to contend with him by pulling upon the left snaffle-rein1 as he will be watching for this very movement and be prepared to resist it4 ,he should be foiled by having the right rein tightened so as to turn him completely around and place him in the same position he was in before he began to turn4 ,he will perceive to his astonishment that he has gained nothing by his abrupt movement2 and as soon as he has reached the position stated1 he should be urged forward by the aid of both leg and whip4 ,this method is usually successful unless the steed be very obstinate2 he may then refuse to advance at all1 and may make another turn to the right1 in which case his rider should repeat the course just named1 and oblige him to turn completely around three or four times in succession1 and then while his head is in the right direction1 a stroke of the whip behind the girths should instantly be given in order to compel him to go forward before he has time to defend himself and make another turn4 ,should he again refuse1 and succeed in making still another turn1 the tactics of his rider must be changed2 taking care not to use her whip1 she must turn him around as before1 and then rein him backward in the direction she desires him to go2 she must keep doing this until he concludes to move onward4 ,should this course have to be continued for some time1 it will be advisable occasionally to head him in the desired direction1 in order to ascertain whether he will go forward2 if he will not1 he must again be turned and backed4 ,a horse can readily be induced to move backward1 when he has determined not to go forward4 ,during this contest with the horse1 the rider must be careful to retain her balance1 to keep her left knee directly under the third pommel1 and to incline her body quickly to the right as her animal turns4 ,she should likewise be watchful of surrounding objects1 in order to protect herself and her horse from any dangerous position in which he may be disposed to place himself4 ,in case she is not a very expert horsewoman1 or has little confidence in her ability to manage the horse1 it will be better to have him led a short distance1 and then1 if possible1 she should change the road to one he has not been accustomed to travel2 this will divert him1 and cause him to forget his contumacy4 ,,balking4--,when a horse stops on the road and refuses to move in any direction1 it may be owing to disease 7immobility71 or to obstinacy4 ,in either case1 it will be better for the rider to make no effort to induce him to move1 but she should quietly and patiently remain in the saddle until he evinces a disposition to advance1 when he should be made to stand a little longer4 ,if his defense be due to obstinacy1 this course will be a punishment2 but should it be due to disease1 the detention will be no disadvantage nor punishment to him1 but rather an advantage1 as it will enable him to gain composure4 ,it is rarely1 however1 that a horse proves balky1 unless as the result of some disease of the brain or of the heart1 rheumatic pain1 etc4 ,,backing4--,should a horse commence backing1 when on the road1 he must have his head quickly turned toward the direction in which he is backing4 ,thus1 if he be backing toward a dangerous declivity1 he will be able to see that what he is doing threatens danger to himself1 and will be checked4 ,then he must be backed some little distance away from the danger1 and in the direction toward which he is desired to go4 ,if1 however1 the horse continues to back toward the dangerous place1 notwithstanding the rider's efforts to turn him1 the safest course will be to dismount instantly4 ,backing is sometimes1 if not very frequently1 due to confused vision1 rush of blood to the head1 pain in the head1 etc4 ,,gayety4--,when a horse moves one ear back and forth1 or keeps agitating first one and then the other1 at the same time moving his head and neck up and down1 and1 perhaps1 also champing upon his bit1 he is feeling gay1 and his rider must be on her guard1 as he may unexpectedly jump4 ,while keeping a steady hand upon the reins1 she must urge him to move forward at a regular and somewhat rapid gait1 for this will be what he wants in order to work off his superfluous spirits4 ,,kicking4--,a horse1 when defending himself against anything whatever1 will always lay his ears flat upon the back of his head2 this is his attitude and signal for a battle1 and he is then ready to kick1 bite1 plunge1 or rear4 ,when the ears are only momentarily placed back1 it may be from playfulness1 but when maintained in this position1 he is angry and vicious1 and may make a desperate effort to throw his rider4 ,in the company of other horses he will attempt to bite or kick at them4 ,as soon as he is observed to gaze fixedly upon any animals in his vicinity1 while at the same time he puts his ears back1 and turns his croup toward his companions1 he is then about to kick1 and his rider must frustrate his intention1 as soon as she feels his croup move1 by quickly raising his head and turning it in the direction in which the kick was to be made4 ,should he attempt to bite1 he must be driven to a proper distance from the object of his anger1 and his attention be diverted by keeping him moving on4 ,a horse will kick when feeling gay1 when he is annoyed1 when he suffers pain from any cause1 when feeling playful or malevolent toward other animals1 and1 sometimes1 when he wishes to dislodge his rider4 ,whenever her horse manifests an inclination to kick1 the rider must endeavor to keep his head up1 because he will then be unable to accomplish much in the way of raising his hind-legs2 but once allowed to get his head down1 he will have everything his own way1 and will be able to kick as high as he pleases4 ,every time the horse attempts to lower his head1 he must be punished by a pull upon the curb-bit strong enough to make him keep his head up4 ,his mouth must also be sawed upon with the curb1 should he succeed in getting his head down4 ,the rider must remember to lean well back1 and have her left knee well braced against the third pommel1 as in this position it will be almost impossible for him to unseat her by his kicking4 ,if the kick be made during a stand-still1 a sharp1 vigorous stroke of the whip upon the animal's shoulder will be apt to check him2 but if the kick be made while he is on the gallop1 a stroke of the whip will be apt to make him run away4 ,should kicking be an old vice of the horse1 he must be ridden with a severe curb-bit1 that he may be prevented from getting his head down4 ,,plunging1 ,,bucking4--,plunging is a succession of bounds1 in which the four legs of the horse are almost simultaneously raised from the ground1 the animal advancing with each bound4 ,it is frequently an effort made by the horse to rid himself of something that pains him1 as the sting of an insect1 the pinching of the saddle or the girth1 etc4 ,all that can be done in any case of plunging will be to endeavor to keep up the animal's head1 brace one's self firmly in the saddle1 and sit the plunges out2 they will rarely amount to more than three or four4 ,when a horse that is not vicious commences to plunge1 it may be due to fear or pain2 he should1 therefore1 be spoken to kindly1 and be soothed4 ,as soon as he is brought under control1 the rider should endeavor to ascertain the cause of his movements1 and1 if possible1 remove it4 ,bucking is a desperate effort to throw the rider2 the horse will gather his legs under him in as close a group as possible1 curve his back upward like an angry ,tabby when she espies ,towser1 lower his head1 endeavor to burst the saddle-girths by forcibly expanding his abdomen1 and then without making any advance or retreat bound up and down upon all four legs1 which are held as rigid as iron rods4 ,sometimes he will produce a see-saw movement by repeatedly and rapidly throwing himself from his hind to his fore legs4 ,these motions will be kept up as long as he can hold his breath1 which generally becomes exhausted after five or six bounds2 he will then renew his breath and may repeat the bounds4 ,when a horse bucks1 the rider must keep her seat the best way she can4 ,her body should be held as straight as possible1 although the natural tendency will be to lean forward and to round the shoulders2 she should also take a firm knee-grasp upon both the second and third pommels1 keep a steady hold upon the reins1 and be especially on her guard against allowing her body to be pulled forward as the horse jerks his head down4 ,fortunately1 very few thorough-bred horses buck violently1 their movement being more of a plunge4 ,the horses of the ,russian steppes1 and the bronchos and ponies of our far ,western country1 are apt to have the vicious1 genuine buck in perfection4 ,,rearing4--,with the young horse1 rearing is the last frantic effort to unseat his rider2 an old rogue will sometimes resort to it1 having found his rider timid and much alarmed at the movement4 ,a lady should never ride a horse that has once reared dangerously1 unless the action was occasioned by the injudicious use of too severe a curb-bit4 ,a horse that has once reared without provocation will be very apt to do so again4 ,the danger of this vice is1 that the horse may fall backward and upon his rider4 ,this accident will be especially liable to occur when1 in rearing suddenly and very high1 he bends his fore-legs under his body4 ,while he is in this position1 should the rider feel him sinking down upon his hind-quarters1 she must instantly leap from the saddle1 at the same time giving1 if possible1 a vigorous push to the horse with both hands1 as near his shoulder as she can readily reach without endangering herself4 ,this is done that he may be made to fall to the right1 and the impetus of the push will also convey her to a safe distance1 should he fall to the left4 ,when a horse1 after rearing1 paws in the air with his fore-feet1 he is then employing them for the same purpose that a tight-rope dancer uses his balancing pole1 namely1 to keep his equilibrium4 ,in this case1 there will not be much danger of his falling backward1 unless his rider should pull him over by holding too tight a rein1 or by using the reins to aid her in keeping her balance4 ,the first act of the horse1 when he intends to rear1 will be to free himself from the influence of the bit1 and he will attempt to accomplish this by bending his neck in so as to slacken the tension on the reins2 at the same time he will come to a stand by a peculiar cringing movement1 which will make his rider feel as if the animal had collapsed1 or were falling to pieces4 ,this nowhere feeling will hardly be realized before the horse will stiffen his hind-legs and neck1 and rise with his fore-feet in the air1 bidding defiance to all control4 ,under these circumstances1 as the horse rears his rider must quickly yield the reins and incline her body well forward1 firmly supporting herself by the second and third pommels2 as she values her life1 she must not strike her steed nor pull upon the reins1 but must patiently wait until his fore-feet come to the ground1 when the time for action will have arrived4 ,although she may be taken by surprise when the horse first rears1 she can anticipate his second attempt1 which will generally be not far off1 by taking a snaffle-rein in each hand1 holding her hands low1 and the instant she perceives that he is going to rise1 loosening the left rein and tightening the right1 so as to bend his head to the right4 ,he cannot now complete the rear1 because her action will compel him to move a hind-leg1 and he will then be unable to rest his weight upon both hind-legs1 which he must do in order to rear4 ,as a punishment1 he should then be turned around a few times1 from right to left2 this turning will also be very apt to prevent him from again rearing4 ,sometimes a severe stroke with the whip upon the horse's hind-quarters as his fore-feet are descending to the ground will prevent the second rear2 as he plunges forward from the whip1 the rider must be careful to prevent her body from being thrown forward by the plunge4 ,,running ,,away4--,the most dangerous runaway horse is the one that starts off from excessive fear1 as terror will make a horse act as if he were blind1 and he may then rush over a precipice1 or violently collide with some object in his way4 ,terrified horses have been known almost to dash out their brains by violent collision with a stone wall1 and even to impale themselves upon an iron fence4 ,the least dangerous runaway steed is the practiced one1 which runs because he has vicious propensities2 for as he knows what he is about1 he generally takes good care of himself1 and thus1 in a measure1 protects his rider1 of whose mishaps1 however1 he is entirely regardless4 ,some horses1 when urged to do something that is beyond their ability1 or when goaded by pain from any cause1 will run1 imagining that by so doing they can escape the evil4 ,with these1 the bolt or runaway is more the last furious effort of despair than real viciousness4 ,a heavy-handed rider may cause a horse to run away1 the horse1 taking advantage of the constant pull upon the reins1 is liable to make the hand of his rider a point of support1 and then dash wildly onward4 ,when1 from restlessness1 a horse endeavors to break away1 the curb-reins should be taken1 one in each hand1 and every time he attempts to run1 a sharp pull should be made upon his mouth by means of these reins2 he will thus be checked and prevented from starting upon a run4 ,should he once get fairly started1 it will be very difficult to stop him promptly4 ,in such a case1 care should be taken not to make a dead pull upon the reins1 but instead1 a succession of pulls at short intervals1 and these efforts should be continued until he comes to a stand2 should the horse manifest any disposition to stop1 the rider should1 as he slackens his speed1 make a continued pull on the reins as if reining him in from the walk1 and this will gradually check him4 ,when a horse runs away from fear or pain1 nothing will stop him except the voice of the rider in whom he has confidence1 and for whom he entertains affection4 ,in his terror1 he will rely entirely upon her for aid and support1 and if she fail him1 the most severe bit will not stop him4 ,an old offender may sometimes be controlled by a severe bit1 or may be cured of his propensity for running by being placed in the hands of a good horseman who will allow him to run away1 and when the animal wishes to stop1 will then1 by means of whip and spur1 make him run still farther1 and allow him to stop only when the rider pleases4 ,the management of a horse when he attempts to bolt has been described in the chapter on the ,hand ,gallop4 ,a horse that has once fairly run away and met with some catastrophe1 or that has thrown his rider1 will never be a safe one to ride subsequently4 ,,unsteadiness ,,while ,,being ,,mounted4--,it is very annoying1 as well as dangerous1 to have a horse moving about unsteadily while the rider is attempting to mount2 this restlessness is sometimes occasioned by his impatience and eagerness to start1 and may then be remedied by having him held by the bit1 with his right side placed against a wall1 fence1 or other firm barrier1 where he can be kept until the lady has mounted4 ,the horse must not be allowed to start immediately after the rider has become seated1 but must be restrained until he is perfectly quiet1 and must be chidden every time he commences to prance4 ,a few lessons of this kind will teach him to stand still while being mounted4 ,when the horse from viciousness1 or from dislike to carrying a rider1 attempts to evade being mounted1 he had better be disposed of2 for should the lady succeed in mounting she will receive but little benefit from the ride1 as the bad temper and unwillingness of her steed will not only make it unpleasant1 but even dangerous for her4 ,sometimes the restiveness of the horse may be the fault of the person holding him1 who1 perhaps1 either takes too heavy a hold of the snaffle-rein1 thus pressing the sides of the snaffle-bit against the animal's mouth1 and pinching him1 or pulls upon the curb-reins1 which should not be touched4 ,either of these mistakes will cause the horse to move backward4 ,not unfrequently a horse will violently plunge and kick from the pain of some injury in his side or back1 which1 though not painful when the rider is seated1 becomes so when she bears upon the stirrup4 ,such a horse is unsound and not suitable for a side-saddle4 ,,stumbling4--,when a horse1 not naturally indolent1 and having his ears well placed1 allows the latter to project out and to fall loosely on each side of his head1 he is then fatigued1 and must be kept well supported by the bridle1 for he may stumble1 or even fall4 ,whenever a horse is felt to trip or stumble1 the rider's body must instantly be inclined backward1 her hands be lifted1 and her horse be steadied and supported by sufficient tension on the reins4 ,should the tired horse be walking down a hill1 he must always be well balanced by pressure of both leg and whip2 this will keep him light upon his fore-legs1 and he will not be so apt to fall4 ,a horse should never be whipped for stumbling1 as it is not likely that he would do so of his own accord1 and it would be cruel to punish the poor animal for what he could not help4 ,it may be the fault of the blacksmith in not shoeing him properly4 ,should an indolent horse fail to raise his feet sufficiently to escape tripping1 the proper course to pursue will be to keep him collected and make him move at rather a rapid gait1 because1 when he is animated1 he will lift his feet more briskly and to better advantage4 ,a straight-shouldered horse1 when carrying a woman1 will be apt to stumble1 to bear upon the reins1 and to move heavily on his fore-feet1 and will therefore require an expert horsewoman to keep him moving in good form4 ,when the rider hears a metallic clinking sound at each step of her horse1 it will be an indication that the shoes of his hind-feet are striking against those of his fore-feet2 this is very dangerous1 as in the trot1 or gallop1 he may overreach and strike one of his fore-legs with one of his hind-shoes in such a manner as to injure himself severely1 or he may catch the toe of a hind-shoe in the heel of a fore-shoe so that they will become locked together1 when the fore-shoe will have to give way and come off1 or a terrific fall will ensue4 ,some horses overreach on account of their natural conformation1 others only when fatigued2 again1 some will be free from this defect when fat1 but will manifest it when they become lean from overwork1 deficiency of food1 or other cause4 ,young horses will occasionally move in this manner before they are taught their paces1 but as soon as they are thoroughly trained this dangerous annoyance ceases4 ,when a horse falls to the ground1 or merely falls on his knees1 if the rider be not thrown off by the violence of the shock it will be better for her to keep to the saddle1 as the horse will rise very quickly1 and if she attempts to jump off he may step upon her as he is in the act of rising1 or her habit may catch upon the pommel and add to the peril of the situation by causing her to be dragged along should the horse move on1 or become frightened and run away4 ,she must not attempt to assist the horse by pulling upon the bridle1 but must allow him to get upon his feet in his own way4 ,should she be thrown off as he falls1 she must free her skirt from the saddle as promptly as possible and quickly get away from him in order to escape being stepped upon as he rises4 ,the fall of a horse upon his right side is much less dangerous than upon his left1 because in the latter case the rider's left leg may be caught beneath him1 perhaps injured1 and she would then be unable to extricate herself without assistance4 ,,whip ,,and ,,spur4--,a lady's whip is employed as a substitute for the right leg of the horseman in collecting and guiding the horse4 ,for this reason1 it must always be firm1 strong1 and well-made4 ,it is also used both to give light taps to the horse in order to increase his speed1 and likewise1 when necessary1 to chastise him moderately and thus make him more obedient4 ,if it can possibly be avoided1 a lady should never whip her horse2 but when it is required1 one quick1 sharp stroke1 given at the right time1 and with judgment1 will subdue him and bring him to his senses4 ,deliberately to give stroke after stroke1 or to flog him1 will always do more harm than good1 for it will make him wild1 vicious1 and unmanageable1 and the lady will gain nothing by it except the reputation of being a virago4 ,when a horse has committed a fault requiring the whip1 he knows that the first stroke given is for this fault1 and submits2 but he does not understand why the succeeding blows are given1 and resents them accordingly4 ,an expert rider will rarely whip her horse1 and will never become angry at even the most obstinate resistance on his part1 but will1 instead1 manage him intelligently1 and subdue him in a subtle way that he cannot comprehend4 ,she will turn his disobedient acts against himself in a manner that is mysterious to him1 and which will make them appear to him to be the will of his rider4 ,the horse will find himself foiled at every turn1 in a way against which he can present no permanent defense1 and there will be nothing left for him but submission4 ,when a horse fails in his attempts to gain the ascendency1 and yields to her skill and authority1 she should be generous and forgiving1 and treat the vanquished one with kindness and consideration1 letting him know that there is no resentment harbored against him4 ,he will quickly appreciate this forbearance1 and it will have a lasting effect4 ,but while accepting the olive branch1 she should not give him his usual pats and caresses for some little while afterward1 as these acts might be misinterpreted by him as a weakening on the part of his rider1 or lead him to imagine that he has been doing right instead of wrong4 ,a lady's horse should never be trained with the spur4 ,the horse that requires a spur is unsuited for the side-saddle2 even the dullest animal will soon learn that he is spurred only on one side1 and will shrink from the attack by a shy or a jump to the right1 knowing there is no spur on this side4 ,an indifferent rider may place herself in danger by unconsciously spurring her horse1 thus goading him to madness1 and to such a frenzy of despair that the only alternative left for him will be to unseat his fair rider in order to escape the pain thus unconsciously inflicted upon him4 ,the novice in riding must not be dismayed nor discouraged by all the instructions in regard to defending one's self against restive and vicious horses1 as she may ride for years1 or even for a life-time1 and never be in any serious danger4 ,but a time might possibly come1 when she would suddenly and unexpectedly be called upon to exert herself in order to exact obedience from her steed1 or to extricate herself from a perilous situation1 and then a knowledge of what should be done will be of great use to her4 ,being armed at all points1 and understanding the means required for any emergency1 she will not depend for safety altogether upon the caprice or the gentleness of her horse1 but chiefly upon her own knowledge and skill2 this will give her a confidence and sense of security that will greatly add to the pleasure of her ride4 ,illustration ,,explanation4 #a4 ,the lips4 #b4 ,tip of the nose4 ,figs4 #a and #b form the muzzle4 #c4 ,chanfrin1 or face2 the parts that correspond to the bones of the nose1 and that extend from the brow to the nostrils4 #d4 ,the brow1 or forehead4 #e4 ,the eye-pits2 cavities more or less deeply situated above the eyes4 #f4 ,forelock2 hairs between the ears that fall upon the forehead4 #g4 ,the ears4 #h4 ,the lower jaw and channel1 or space comprised between the two lower jaws4 ,cheek4 ,jowl4 #i4 ,the jaws3 nether jaws4 #aj4 ,the nostril4 #aa4 ,the throat4 #ab4 ,region of parotid glands1 at the posterior and internal part of each of the lower-jaw bones4 #ac4 ,the crest4 #ac4 ,the mane4 #ad4 ,windpipe and groove of the jugular veins4 #ae4 ,the chest1 thorax4 #af4 ,the withers1 or the sharp1 projecting part at the inferior extremity of the crest and of the mane4 ,it is formed by the projection of the first dorsal vertebra4 #ag4 ,the back1 or part upon which the saddle is placed4 #ah4 ,the ribs4 #ai4 ,the passage for the girths4 #bj4 ,the loins4 #ba4 ,the croup2 the most elevated part of the posterior extremity of the body4 #bb4 ,the tail4 #bd4 ,the flank4 #be4 ,the abdomen4 #bg4 ,the saphena vein4 #bh4 ,the shoulder and arm4 #bh4 ,the point of the shoulder4 #bi4 ,the elbow4 #cj4 ,the fore-arm4 #cb4 ,the knee4 #cc4 ,the cannon bone1 shank4 #cd4 ,the large pastern joint4 #ce4 ,the small pastern joint4 #cf4 ,the coronet4 #cg4 ,the front foot and hoof4 #ch4 ,the fetlock and ergot4 ,the fetlock consists of hairs1 and the ergot of a horny-like substance constantly found at the back and lower part of the large pastern joints4 #ci4 ,the haunch4 #dj4 ,the thigh1 gaskin1 or femur4 #da4 ,the stifle joint4 #db4 ,the buttock4 #dc4 ,the tibia1 or leg proper 7lower thigh72 a small bone lies behind it1 the fibula4 #dd4 ,the hock 7curb place74 #dd4 ,the point of the hock4 #df4 ,the cannon bone4 #dg4 ,the large pastern joint4 #dh4 ,the fetlock and ergot4 #di4 ,the small pastern joint4 #ej4 ,the coronet4 #ea4 ,hind-foot and hoof4 ,,addenda4 ,,good ,,rules ,,to ,,be ,,remembered4 7#a47 ,when in company with a gentleman1 an accomplished horsewoman will prefer to have him ride at the right side of her horse1 because1 being thoroughly able to control her steed1 she will require little or no assistance from the cavalier4 ,on the contrary1 if she be an inexperienced rider1 it will be better for the gentleman to ride at the left side1 because1 in this position1 his right hand will be free to render any assistance she may require1 and he will also be placed between her and any approaching object4 7#b47 ,a finished horseman1 when riding at the left side of a lady's horse1 will not allow his spurs to catch in her dress1 nor will he permit his steed to press so closely against this left side as to injure or interfere with the action of her left foot and leg4 7#c47 ,in the park1 or in any public place1 a gentleman should always approach a lady on the off-side of her horse4 7#d47 ,when in company with two ladies1 a gentleman should ride on the off-side of them1 and never between the two1 unless they request it4 7#e47 ,when obliged to pass or meet a lady who is riding without an escort1 always do so at a moderate gait2 this is an act of politeness and consideration which may prevent her steed from becoming fractious4 7#f47 ,when passing by a horseman who is leading another horse1 never ride by him on the side of the led animal1 for if you do the latter will be apt to kick or plunge1 and become unruly4 ,this precaution is essential for the safety of the horsewoman1 as well as for the better management of the led horse by the horseman4 ,in a crowded place it will be better to wait until there is sufficient room to pass without hindrance4 7#g47 ,give assistance to a companion1 or other lady rider1 when it is indispensable for her safety1 but do not give advice unless directly requested4 ,and if1 when you are riding a fractious horse1 assistance be politely offered1 do not decline it4 7#h47 ,in city1 town1 or village1 always ride at a moderate gait4 7#i47 ,be extremely careful never to ask for a friend's horse to ride1 but always wait until the animal is freely offered1 and when accepted1 do not follow the advice contained in the horseman's proverb1--,with spurs of one's own and the horse of a friend1 one can go where he pleases4 7#aj47 ,before setting out for a ride1 in company with other lady riders1 the equestrienne1 after having mounted1 should move a short distance away from the others1 and then keep her horse perfectly quiet and steady2 by this course the neighboring horses will not be apt to become uneasy and restive while her companions are mounting4 7#aa47 ,always1 when with others1 begin the ride at a moderate gait4 ,a number of horses1 fresh from the stable1 when assembled together1 are apt1 if started on a gallop1 to become too highly excited2 and it will always be better to have them start slowly4 7#ab47 ,should a lady be a better horsewoman than her companions1 and be riding a horse superior to theirs1 she should restrain him1 and not allow him to be constantly in advance of the others4 ,it will be more courteous for her to follow the lead of her companions1 and to consult with them as to the kind and rapidity of gait most agreeable to them4 ,the preceding rules of politeness and propriety will be readily understood and appreciated4 ,a lady under no circumstances will forget her tact and consideration for others4 7#ac47 ,in riding up hill the body should be inclined forward1 and the bridle-hand be advanced1 in order to give the horse space to extend his head and neck1 as it is natural for him to do under such circumstances4 ,in case the ascent be very steep1 the rider may support herself by holding1 with her right hand1 to her horse's mane1 but never to the off-pommel1 because her weight may cause the saddle to slip backward4 7#ad47 ,in riding down hill the body must be inclined more or less backward1 in proportion to the steepness of the hill1 and as the horse lowers his head upon the commencement of the descent1 the rider must advance her bridle-hand just enough barely to feel his mouth4 ,timid and awkward riders1 on descending a hill1 are apt to confine the horse's head too much1 thus keeping it too high1 and preventing him from freely stepping out1 as well as from placing his feet firmly upon the ground4 ,by doing this1 they are likely to bring about the very catastrophe they are trying to avoid1 namely1 a stumble and a fall4 ,never ride at a rapid gait when going down hill4 7#ae47 ,it is always customary to keep to the left when passing by others on horseback or in vehicles1 who are going in the same direction as the rider2 and in passing those who are approaching1 to keep to the right4 ,but1 in the latter instance1 should anything be present that might cause the horse to shy1 and a declivity1 ditch1 or other source of danger be on the right1 while none exists on the left1 it will then be safer for the rider to take the left side4 7#af47 ,when crossing a stream1 or when allowing one's horse to drink from it1 a watchful eye should be kept upon him1 especially in warm weather1 lest he attempt to take an impromptu bath4 ,if he begins to paw the water1 or bend his knees1 the rider must raise his head1 give him a sharp stroke with the whip1 and hurry him on4 7#ag47 ,after severe exercise1 or when the horse is very warm1 he should neither be fed nor be allowed to drink until a sufficient time has passed to enable him to become composed1 rested1 and cool4 ,many a valuable steed has been lost because his mistress did not know this simple1 but highly important rule4 ,again1 a horse should never be ridden at a fast gait just after he has eaten a meal1 or taken a good drink2 he should be allowed at least an hour in which to have his meal digested4 7#ah47 ,a horse should never be allowed to drink from a public trough1 if it can possibly be avoided2 and when he is permitted to do so1 the trough should first be emptied and then filled anew4 ,horses often contract serious diseases from these public drinking-places4 7#ai47 ,when riding over a rough road1 the horse's mouth should only be lightly felt1 and he should be allowed to have his own way in selecting the safest places upon which to step4 7#bj47 ,when it is observed that the horse is moving uneasily1 at the same time violently twitching his tail1 or giving a kick outward or under him1 the rider may be certain that something is hurting him1 and should immediately dismount1 loosen the saddle-girths1 and carefully inspect the girths1 the saddle1 and parts touched by them to ascertain whether a nail be loosened from the saddle1 the skin be pinched or abraded1 the hair be pulled upon by the girths1 or whether some hard object has become placed beneath the saddle1 etc42 she should also carefully examine the head-stall and bit1 to see that all is right about the horse's head2 after having removed or diminished the irritating cause1 she should carefully readjust both saddle and girths4 7#ba47 ,if1 when riding rapidly1 it be observed that the horse is breathing with difficulty and with a strange noise1 or that his head and ears are drooping1 the rider should immediately stop him1 as he has been driven too hard1 and is on the point of falling4 7#bb47 ,a lady's horse should never be placed in harness1 because in order to pull a load he will be obliged to throw his weight forward1 thus spoiling the lightness of his saddle gaits4 7#bc47 ,when turning a corner the horse should not be drawn around by the reins2 these should merely indicate the desired direction for the turn1 and should never be drawn upon more than will bring that eye of the animal which is toward the direction of the turn into view of the rider4 7#bd47 ,should a horse which is usually spirited move languidly1 and1 during warm1 or moderately cold weather1 have his hair stand out and appear rough1 particularly about the head and neck1 or should he frequently cough1 it would be better to relinquish the ride1 have him returned to the stable1 and a warm bran-mash given to him as quickly as possible4 ,it may be that he has contracted only a cold that can be checked by prompt measures4 ,but should he continue to grow worse1 a veterinary surgeon should be speedily summoned4 ,be very firm and decided in not permitting the groom to administer his favorite patent medicines1 because such nostrums are as liable to occasion injury to animals as similar preparations are to human beings4 7#be47 ,a few observations with regard to shoeing a horse may not be amiss4 ,it may happen when riding on a country road1 that one of the horse's shoes will come off1 and the rider be obliged to resort to the nearest rural blacksmith to have it replaced4 ,in such case she will find that some knowledge on her part of the manner in which a shoe should be fitted to a horse's foot will prove very useful4 ,the blacksmith should not be permitted to cut the frog 7the soft and elastic substance in the middle of the foot7 of the foot1 but should leave it entirely alone1 and pare around the margin of the hoof just enough to adjust the shoe evenly and firmly4 ,country blacksmiths1 as well as many in cities1 are very fond of paring and rasping the horse's hoof1 as they think they can make a neater fit of the shoe by such a course4 ,an eminent writer on the subject of shoeing states that1 except in case of disease1 undue paring and rasping are never indulged in by persons who understand how to fit a shoe to the horse's feet properly2 he also observes3 ,this is paring and rasping the horse's foot till it be small enough to fit the shoe1 rather than kindle a fire and forge a new set which shall just suit the feet of the animal4 ,it may to some readers seem like a jest1 to write seriously about the horse's shoes being too tight2 but it is1 indeed1 no joke to the quadruped which has to move in such articles4 ,the walk is strange1 as though the poor creature were trying to progress1 but could obtain no bearing for its tread4 ,the legs are all abroad1 and the hoofs no sooner touch the ground than they are snatched up again4 ,the head is carried high1 and the countenance denotes suffering4 ,it is months before the horse is restored to its normal condition4 7#bf47 ,there is not the least necessity for stables being the foul smelling places they so frequently are1 for if the hostler and his assistants perform their duties properly all offensive odors will be banished4 ,a foul atmosphere in a stable1 besides being repulsive to visitors1 is1 not unfrequently1 the cause of blindness and other diseases of the horse1 who will also carry the odor in his hair and communicate it to the clothing of his rider as well as to her saddle4 ,for these reasons1 a lady should always positively insist that the stable as well as the horse should be kept perfectly clean and free from obnoxious exhalations4 ,attention to cleanliness1 and a free use of disinfectants will bring about this highly desirable result4 7#bg47 ,after a ride1 the saddle should always be aired1 and placed where the sun's rays can fall upon its under surface4 ,after exercise that causes the horse to perspire freely1 the saddle should not be removed until he has become cool2 this will prevent him from having a sore back1 from which he often suffers when this precaution is neglected4 7#bh47 ,when a lady stops in her ride to visit a friend1 she should always attend to her horse herself--be sure that he is properly hitched2 that in warm weather he is fastened in a shady place1 and that in cold weather he is protected1 as far as possible1 from the cold1 as well as from wind1 rain1 or snow4 ,it will sometimes happen1 especially in the country1 that1 instead of being hitched1 the horse will be allowed to remain free1 but within some inclosure1 that he may nibble the grass2 in this instance1 the saddle should always be removed1 as otherwise he may roll upon it4 ,a city horse1 when ridden into the country1 should not be allowed to eat grass1 from a mistaken idea that it will be a good treat for him1 for1 as he is not accustomed to it1 it will be very apt to injure him4 7#bi47 ,after a good seat and attitude in the saddle have been obtained1 more freedom is allowable2 should the rider have occasion to speak or to look aside1 she should never move her shoulders1 but only her head1 and this momentarily1 because it is required that a good lookout in front be kept up1 to discover and avoid obstacles4 7#cj47 ,delicate persons who desire to derive benefit from horseback riding in the country should select suitable hours in which to pursue this exercise4 ,the intense heat of a summer noon should be avoided1 as well as the evening dew1 the imperceptible dampness of which will penetrate the clothing and1 perhaps1 implant the germ of some serious malady4 ,riding upon a country road in the noon heat of a summer day1 where there is little or no shade1 will tan and roughen the finest complexion1 will overheat the blood1 and will occasion fatigue instead of pleasure4 ,an hour or two after sunrise or before sunset will be found the more pleasant and healthful periods of the day for this exercise4 ,riding in the country1 when enjoyed at proper hours1 is a sure brightener of the complexion1 aerates and purifies the blood1 and imparts wonderful tone to the nervous and muscular systems4 ,yet1 in their great fondness for this exercise1 ladies frequently carry it to excess1 making their rides far too long4 7#ca47 ,what to do with the whip1 when making a call1 has puzzled many a lady rider4 ,shall it be left outside1 where it may be lost1 or shall it be taken into the parlor1 where its belligerent appearance will be entirely out of place8 ,this much mooted question can soon be settled by the gentleman who assists the lady to dismount2 he will usually understand what is required1 and take charge of it himself4 ,or1 in the absence of a cavalier1 the whip may be handed to the groom who attends to the horse1 or to the porter who waits upon the door4 ,but should no groom or porter be present1 it may be placed in some convenient and secure spot1 as would be done with a valuable umbrella4 7#cb47 ,before mounting her horse1 a lady should always pat his head and speak kindly to him1 and1 after the ride1 should express her satisfaction in the same manner4 ,the horse will fully appreciate these manifestations4 ,many persons consider a horse a mere living1 working machine1 yet it has been satisfactorily ascertained1 by those who have investigated the matter1 that this machine has feeling1 affection1 and a remarkable memory2 that it appreciates favors1 has a high sense of gratitude1 and never forgets an injury4 7#cc47 ,the secret of secure and graceful riding is a correctly balanced seat in the saddle1 one perfectly independent of reins or stirrup1 and without exaggerations of any kind1 whether the carelessness or indifference of the instinctive rider1 or the affected1 pedantic stiffness of the antiquated haut cole4 ,while maintaining a free1 easy1 yet elegant attitude1 the rider should present to the spectator such an appearance of security and perfect equilibrium that it will seem as if no conflicting movements of the horse could throw her from the saddle4 ,carelessness and indifference cause the rider to look indolent and slovenly1 while an affected1 exaggerated stiffness and preciseness give her a ridiculous appearance1 and destroy the pleasing effect of an otherwise correct seat4 7#cd47 ,go quickly in the walk1 quickly and regularly in the trot1 and gently in the gallop4 ,and bear well in mind the following supplication of the horse3-- ,in going up hill1 trot me not2 ,in going down hill1 gallop me not2 ,on level ground1 spare me not2 ,in the stable1 forget me not4 ,all women are capable of enjoying the healthful exercise of horseback riding excepting those who may be suffering from disease4 ,every lady who has the means1 whether young or advanced in years1 should learn riding1 for its sociability1 healthfulness1 and pleasure1 without regard to her bodily conformation4 ,it is folly to deprive one's self of this high enjoyment and captivating exercise1 simply because one is no longer young1 has only an ordinary figure1 or because some persons appear to better advantage in the saddle1 and ride with more ease and grace4 ,according to such reasoning1 one might as well cease to exist4 ,if a lady cannot attain perfection1 she can strive to come as near to it as possible1 and if she secures a correct seat in the saddle1 and a suitable horse1 she will present a decidedly better appearance than one who1 although having the slender1 elegant figure so well adapted to the saddle1 yet rides in a crooked1 awkward attitude1 or on a rough moving horse4 ,to become a complete horsewoman it is not necessary to begin the exercise in childhood4 ,the first lessons may be taken in the twelfth year1 though many of our best horsewomen did not begin to practice until they were eighteen years old1 and some not until after they were married4 ,riding-teachers state that persons past their first youth who have never ridden learn much more readily1 and become better riders than those who1 though younger1 have been riding without instruction1 and in an incorrect manner1 and1 consequently1 have contracted habits very difficult to eradicate4 ,before closing this part of the work1 there is one subject to which the author would earnestly invite attention4 ,when a lady possesses a horse which has been long in her service1 and been treated with the kindest and most loving care1 and she finds that this faithful servant is becoming old and stiff1 or that1 from some accident1 he has become almost useless to her1 she should not part with him by selling him1 for the ones to buy him will be those who have no sympathy for a horse and do not know how to treat him properly1 but purchase him for hard and severe labor2 their poverty compelling them to this course1 as they cannot afford to buy any but old and maimed horses of very little value4 ,to a well-treated and trained animal1 the change from caresses to harsh treatment1 from the pleasant task of carrying the light form of his mistress to the hardest of drudgery1 must be acutely felt4 ,the horse which has been kindly and intelligently managed is one of the most sensitive of living creatures1 and has been known to refuse all feed and die from starvation1 when placed under the charge of a cruel and ignorant master4 ,when the lady finds her favorite steed permanently useless1 and cannot afford him an asylum in which to pass the remainder of his days in rest and freedom from labor1 she should have some merciful hand end the life that it would be cruel to prolong in the hands of a hard master1 simply for the few dollars that might be obtained for him4 ,to thus destroy the animal may appear heartless1 but1 in reality1 is an act of mercy2 as it is much better for him to die a quick1 painless death1 than to be sold to a life of toil1 pain1 and cruelty1 in which1 perhaps1 he may pass mouths1 if not years1 of a living death4 99 99 99 99 99 ,in terminating the present volume1 the writer ventures to express the hope that her appeal to ,american women to seek health1 beauty1 and enjoyment in the saddle will not be passed by with indifference1 and that the lady rider1 after a careful perusal and due consideration of the instructions herein laid down for her benefit1 may be awakened to a spirit of enthusiasm1 and an endeavor to well do that which is worth doing at all4 ,to gain a knowledge of horsewomanship is by no means a mysterious matter confined to only a favored few1 but is1 on the contrary1 within the reach of all4 ,the requirements necessary to manage the horse are soon learned1 but1 as is the case with every other accomplishment1 it is practice that makes perfect4 ,practice alone1 however1 without study or instruction1 will never produce a finished rider2 and study without practice will rarely accomplish anything4 ,but when study and practice are judiciously combined1 they will enable one to reach the goal of success1 which every earnest rider will strive to attain4 ,in the endeavor to render the instructions and explanations in this work as clear and comprehensible as possible1 many repetitions have unavoidably occurred2 but as the book was more especially designed to instruct beginners1 as well as those self-taught riders who have not had the advantage of a teacher1 it was thought advisable not to leave any point in doubt1 but as far as possible to render each subject independent of the others1 and strongly to impress many essential points upon the mind of the reader4 ,to a majority of my countrywomen1 with their natural tact and grace1 it was only deemed necessary to point out their errors in riding2 attention once called to them would1 it was believed1 undoubtedly lead to their prompt correction1 and these riders would then cease to be victims of ignorance1 constantly upon the verge of danger from incorrect methods of riding1 and soon be able to excel in that most desirable and fascinating of all womanly accomplishments1 secure and graceful horseback riding4 ,this has been the principal object of the author1 who would not only have women ride well and elegantly1 but with the confidence and enjoyment that true knowledge always imparts4 ,having spent so many happy hours in the saddle herself1 she wishes others to experience a similar happiness1 and if a perusal of these unpretending pages will create a zeal among her countrywomen for this delightful and invigorating exercise1 and enable them to enjoy it in its highest sense1 it will prove a source of much gratification to her1 and she will rest satisfied that her efforts have not been in vain4 ,,glossary ,,of ,,terms ,,used ,,in ,,horsemanship4 ,aids3 ,the various methods employed by a rider to command the horse1 and urge him to move forward1 backward1 etc41 and in such gaits as may be desired4 ,the superior aids are the hands acting through the medium of the reins2 the inferior aids are the leg and whip4 ,see ,effects4 ,appui1 ,fr4 ,support3 ,the give and take movements1 by which the horse is supported in his gait1 called appui of the hand4 ,the sensation of the pressure of the bit upon the bars of the horse's mouth1 experienced by the rider's hand4 ,appui of the ,collar3 ,the slope or talus presented in front at the union of the crest of the neck with the shoulders4 ,attacks3 ,methods for urging or inducing the horse to enter upon any gait or motion required4 ,see ,aids4 ,bars3 ,the upper part of the gums 7in a horse7 that bears no teeth1 and which is located on each side of the lower jaw4 ,this part lies between the grinders 7back double teeth7 and the tusks2 or1 in mares and in horses deprived of tusks1 between the grinders and the incisors 7front cutting teeth74 ,it is against this part1 the bars1 that the curb-bit rests4 ,see ,cheek of the ,bit4 ,bear to the right3 ,to keep the right leg1 from hip to knee1 as stationary as possible1 by downward pressure upon the right side of the saddle seat1 and between the first and second pommels1 at the same time keeping a firm knee-grasp upon the second pommel without hanging upon it2 by this means1 the rider guards against inclining to the left1 a movement very apt to be produced by her position in the saddle and the motion of her horse4 ,the body of the rider must be maintained in an erect position all the time she is bearing to the right4 ,see ,incline to the ,right4 ,boot3 ,a term sometimes applied to that part of the saddle-girths or flaps back of the rider's leg1 and at which the horse may attempt to kick2 also applied to the inferior portion of the rider's leg4 ,bridle-hand3 ,the left hand4 ,when both hands hold the reins they are called the bridle-hands4 ,bridoon3 ,the snaffle-bit and rein1 when used in connection with the curb-bit1 but acting independently of it4 ,the two bits together in the horse's mouth are called the bit and bridoon1 or the curb and bridoon4 ,bringing up to the bridle1 also ,kept well up to the bridle3 ,to place the horse's head up and in position1 so that when proper tension or pressure is made upon his mouth he will readily obey the reins4 ,some horses require stronger pressure than others1 as stated under ,correspondence4 ,cannon bone1 also ,shank3 ,the long bone situated between the knee and the fetlock joint on the front part of each fore-leg of the horse4 ,canon3 ,that part of a bit1 on each side1 that rests upon the bars of a horse's mouth when the bit is correctly placed4 ,cantle3 ,the somewhat elevated ridge at the back part of the saddle-seat4 ,cheek of the ,bit1 also ,bars of the ,bit3 ,the external straight or curved rods 7levers7 forming the sides of a curb-bit1 and which1 when the bit is in the horse's mouth1 are applied along the outer sides of his mouth1 the reins being attached to their lower extremities4 ,that part of these rods situated below the bit in the month is called the lower bar1 or cheek1 and that portion above the bit1 the upper bar1 or cheek4 ,chin-groove3 ,the transverse furrow in which the curb-chain rests1 on the under surface of a horse's lower jaw1 at the back part of the lower lip4 ,also called curb-groove4 ,collected canter3 ,a canter in good form4 ,correspondence3 ,the degree of rein-tension made by the hand of the rider upon her horse's mouth1 which1 when properly established1 creates a correspondence between her hand and the animal's mouth1 so that the slightest movement of the one is immediately felt by the other2 in all cases this correspondence must first be had before any utility can be obtained from the give and take movements4 ,some horses require a greater degree of tension for this purpose than others1 according to their training and the range of sensibility of their mouths4 ,croup3 ,the hind-quarters of the horse1 from and including the loins to the commencement of the tail4 ,this term is also applied by some to the upper part of the animal's back1 where the haunches and body come in contact4 ,curb-bit1 also ,lever-bit3 ,a bit with a straight or curved lever or rod attached on each side1 designed for the purpose of restraining the horse4 ,curb-chain3 ,a chain attached to the upper bar or cheek of the curb-bit1 and passed along the chin-groove1 from one side of the bit to the other4 ,curb-hook3 ,a hook attached to the curb-chain1 and designed to fasten it to the upper bar of the curb-bit2 there are two of these hooks1 one on each side of the bit4 ,decompounded3 ,taken to pieces2 each act1 movement1 or part of a whole or group1 by or of itself4 ,defend3 ,a horse is said to defend himself when he refuses to obey1 or attempts to bite1 kick1 etc42 he resists1 contends4 ,defenses3 ,the resistances made by a horse when required to do anything1 or when he is ignorant of the acts or movements demanded of him2 he becomes alarmed1 injured1 or malicious1 and employs his defenses4 ,double bridle3 ,the reins of the curb-bit and bridoon1 when both bits are placed together in the horse's mouth4 ,dumb-jockey3 ,a couple of stout sticks or poles1 crossed in the form of the letter x1 and fastened upon the saddle2 the reins are attached to the upper ends of these1 and a hat may be placed upon one of them4 ,used in training colts4 ,effects3 ,movements made by the hands1 often aided by the leg or whip1 which serve to urge the horse forward1 backward1 to the right1 or left2 indications4 ,equestrian3 ,a gentleman rider on horseback4 ,equestrienne3 ,a lady rider on horseback4 ,equine3 ,from equus1 ,lat4 ,a horse2 pertaining to a horse4 ,equitation3 ,horseback riding4 ,false pannels3 ,pannels are stuffed pads or flaps1 attached to and beneath certain parts of the saddle1 in order to prevent these from injuring the horse2 when these stuffed pads can be fastened to1 or removed from the saddle at pleasure1 they are termed false pannels4 ,fetlock3 ,the tuft of hair that grows upon the back part of the fetlock joints of many horses' legs1 and which hides the ergot or stub of soft horn that lies behind and below the pastern joint4 ,fetlock joint3 ,the joint between the cannon and the upper pastern bone of each foot4 ,force the hands3 ,the hands are said to be forced when the horse throws his head downward1 pulling upon the reins so as to cause the rider to support the weight of the animal's head2 sometimes this is effected so suddenly as to jerk the reins out of her hands4 ,forehand3 ,all that part of the horse in front of the rider4 ,get out of condition3 ,a horse is said to be in good condition when he is well1 fresh1 and sound2 the reverse of this is termed out of condition4 ,girths3 ,stout straps or bands passed from one side of the saddle and underneath the horse's abdomen to the other side1 where they are buckled tight and fast2 they are designed to keep the saddle securely upon the horse's back4 ,give and take3 ,the traction and relaxation of the reins made by the fingers1 and which must correspond with the movements of the horse's head2 this action keeps up a correspondence with the horse's mouth1 and at the same time supports him in his gait4 ,hand3 ,the height of a horse is usually measured by hands1 four inches being equal to one hand4 ,a rider is said to have hands when she knows how to use her hands correctly in controlling the horse by means of the reins4 ,haunches3 ,when a horse is made to throw his weight chiefly upon his hind-quarters1 he is said to be well placed on his haunches1 and will then move more lightly upon his fore-legs4 ,the haunch-bones are three in number1 the superior one of which is firmly united to the spinal column 7backbone7 near its posterior extremity2 the lower one on each side forms a joint with the thigh bone1 passing downward in a more or less oblique direction4 ,the obliquity of these bones enables the horse to place the muscles of the part in a position to act with greater advantage and power1 and the degree of this obliquity serves to distinguish the thorough from the low bred1 it being greater in the former4 ,wide haunches and broad loins are indications of strength and speed4 ,hippic3 ,of1 belonging to1 or relating to the horse4 ,hock1 also ,tarsus3 ,the part or joint between the cannon or shank bone and the lower thigh or gaskin of the hind-leg3 it consists of six bones2 the part at this joint that projects backward and somewhat inward is called the point of the hock4 ,the hock is an important part of a horse1 as any unhealthy or diseased condition of it will prevent him from resting on his haunches1 and will thereby interfere with his free action in the canter and gallop4 ,immobility3 ,a disease in which the horse becomes unable to move1 probably referable to the nervous system4 ,incline to the right1 or to the left3 ,this differs from bearing to the right1 which see4 ,it means1 to incline the body1 from the hips upward1 to the right 7or to the left71 either when turning or riding in a circle4 ,in confidence3 ,a horse is confident1 or in confidence1 when he completely surrenders his own will1 and implicitly trusts to his rider without dreaming of resistance4 ,inward rein3 ,in turning or circling1 the inward rein1 as well as the inward leg1 is the one on the same side as that toward which the horse turns1 or the one toward the centre of the circle of which the turn forms an arc4 ,legs well bent3 ,see ,well-bent hind-legs4 ,lip-strap1 or ,curb-strap3 ,two small straps stitched to the curb-bit1 designed to prevent a horse from taking the cheek of this bit into his mouth2 an unnecessary appendage when the cheek is curved4 ,lunge-line3 ,a long strap or cord attached to the nose-band of the cavesson or head-stall of a horse in training1 by means of which the trainer exercises and instructs him while he is moving around in circles4 ,near-side3 ,the left side4 ,near-pommel3 ,the second pommel1 on the left side of the side-saddle2 the second pommel of the old-fashioned saddle was called the near-pommel1 and the name still attaches to it4 ,the third pommel is variously called the leaping head and the hunting-horn1 and is located on the left side of the saddle and below the second pommel4 ,off-side3 ,the right side4 ,off-pommel3 ,the pommel on the right side of the saddle4 ,outward rein3 ,in turning or circling1 the outward rein1 as well as the outward leg1 is the one opposite to the direction toward which the horse turns4 ,overreaching1 also ,forging1 ,clinking3 ,is when a horse in moving forward strikes the heel or back part of a fore-foot with the toe or front part of the shoe of the hind-foot4 ,when the stride of the hind-legs is carried so far forward as to strike the coronet or upper part of the hoof1 it is then termed a tread4 ,pirouette3 ,a movement in which a horse turns around without changing his place1 the hind-leg of the side toward which he moves forming the pivot upon which he supports himself4 ,port of the bit3 ,the arched part in the centre of the curb-bit4 ,resistances3 ,see ,defenses4 ,retroacting3 ,a horse retroacts when1 in his volts1 he steps aside1 bearing his croup to the centre1--also when he backs toward an obstacle and fixedly remains there1 against the will of his rider2 and also when he suddenly throws himself upon his hocks at the moment his rider checks or stops him4 ,ring-bar of the saddle3 ,a bar attached beneath the saddle-flap on the left side and at its upper part1 over which the stirrup-leather rolls4 ,saddle-tree3 ,the skeleton or solid frame of a saddle1 upon which the pommels1 leather1 padding1 etc41 are properly disposed4 ,snaffle-bit3 ,is the mildest bit used in driving a horse3 there are two kinds1 the plain snaffle and the twisted1 and the latter form may be made to act very severely4 ,surcingle3 ,a wide band of cloth or leather1 of sufficient length to pass around the body of a horse1 and employed either to keep a blanket upon him1 or to keep down the flaps of the saddle or the shabrack4 ,thrown forward upon his shoulders3 ,a horse is said to be thrown in this manner when1 in moving1 he throws his weight chiefly upon his shoulders and fore-legs instead of upon his hind-quarters2 he is then also said to go heavy on his fore-legs4 ,turn upon the shoulders3 ,a horse is said to turn upon his shoulders when he throws his weight upon his fore-legs during the act of turning2 it is a disunited movement4 ,tusks1 also ,tushes3 ,these are the canine teeth1 two in each jaw1 which grow between the grinders 7back double teeth7 and the incisors 7front cutting teeth71 being closer to the latter than to the former4 ,they are frequently missing4 ,their uses are not well known4 ,volt3 ,the movement of a horse while going sidewise in a circle1 his croup being toward the centre4 ,there are several varieties of volt4 ,an inverted or reversed volt is when the head of the horse is kept toward the centre of the circle4 ,well-bent hind-legs3 ,a horse with straight hind-legs does not possess good and easy movements2 but if these limbs be well bent1 he can be well placed on his haunches1 and be easily collected1 so that his action will be true and pleasant4 ,see ,haunches4 ,yield the hands3 ,is to give the horse more rein by advancing the hands without allowing the reins to slip4 ,to give a free rein is to allow the animal all the length of rein he requires without any traction or opposition4 ,,index4 ,addenda1 #cja4 ,adjusting the bit1 #hi4 the saddle1 #ga1 #ic4 ,affection of the horse1 #d1 #af4 ,amble1 the1 #aig1 #bag4 ,appui1 #cac4 ,arab horse1 #af1 #bc4 ,backing1 #aeb1 #aic1 #bha4 ,balance strap1 #ha4 ,balking1 #bha4 ,basque1 the riding1 #ec4 ,bit1 #hd4 adjusting the1 #hi4 ,chifney1 #hd4 combination1 #he4 curb1 #he4 curb1 ,dwyer's1 #hf4 curb and bridoon1 #he4 curb and bridoon1 to hold reins of1 #afj4 ,pelham1 #hd4 snaffle1 #hd4 snaffle1 to hold reins of the1 #aeb4 ,biting1 #bhc4 ,bolting1 #bdj1 #bhi4 ,boots1 riding1 #ei4 ,box-stalls for horses1 #di4 ,bridle1 #hb4 double1 #aff4 ladies'1 #hb4 ,bucking1 #bhd4 ,caligula and his horse1 #ae4 ,canter1 #bba4 disunited1 #bcd4 false on the turn in1 #bcd4 from trot to1 #bcb4 stop in1 #bcf4 to commence the1 #bbg4 true1 #bbc1 #bcd4 turn in1 #bcc1 #bcd4 united1 #bcd4 with left leg leading1 #bcj4 with right leg leading1 #bbg4 ,capriciousness of horses1 #d4 ,cares for the horse1 #d1 #dd1 #dg4 ,cavalry trot1 #ba1 #aii1 #bjc4 ,changes of pressure on horse's mouth should be gradual1 #agd1 #aie4 ,changing the reins1 #aef4 quickly1 #aeh1 #afe4 ,character of the horse1 #d4 ,circling to the left1 in trot1 #baf4 ,circling to the right1 in trot1 #bae4 ,coiffure1 riding1 #fj4 ,collect the horse1 to1 #agj1 #agg4 ,collected horse1 #agg4 ,combination bit1 #he4 ,confidence of horse1 #e1 #af1 #cag4 ,corns on horse's feet1 #cb4 ,correct position of limbs1 #abd4 ,correct seat for a lady1 #aah4 ,correspondence1 #afh1 #cad4 ,corsets injurious for riding1 #f4 ,corsets1 riding1 #fj4 ,country jog-trot1 #ba1 #aih4 ,critical situations1 #bga4 ,crossing water on horseback1 #cjd4 ,curb-bit1 #he4 ,dwyer's1 #hf4 and bridoon1 #he1 #afj4 and bridoon1 reins of1 in one hand1 #afj4 when best to use1 #agj1 #agd2 note1 #agh4 ,curb-chain1 #hg4 ,curry-combing the horse1 #de4 ,dangers in the hand gallop1 #bdj4 ,dangers of turns in flying gallop1 #bdb1 #bdh4 ,dead pull upon the reins1 #afi4 ,defenses of the horse1 #bga4 ,differences between high and low bred horses1 #bc4 ,dismounting1 #ii1 #ajh4 gentleman's aid in1 #aji4 without assistance1 #aaa4 ,distinguished equestriennes1 #df4 ,disunited canter1 #bcd4 horse1 #agg4 ,double bridle1 management of1 #aff4 ,drawers1 riding1 #ei4 ,ears1 the language of horses'1 #be1 #bgc4 ,education of the horse1 #ce4 ,english trot1 #ba1 #bjj1 #bjg4 ,equestriennes1 distinguished1 #df4 ,erroneous ideas about riding1 #g4 ,exercise of the horse1 remarks upon1 #ej4 ,fabric for riding-dress1 #eg4 ,falling down of the horse1 #bhf1 #bid4 ,false on the turn1 in canter1 #bcd4 ,faulty position of limbs1 #acf4 ,fay's training1 #ch4 ,first lessons in riding1 #bb1 #abe1 #adi1 #bag4 ,flying gallop1 #bch4 carriage of body in1 #bdf4 holding of reins in1 #bdj4 management of horse in1 #bci4 stop in the1 #bdh4 turns in1 dangers of1 #bdb1 #bdh4 ,flying leap1 #bdi1 #bfg4 ,flying trot1 #aih4 ,foot-hoop in skirt1 #ef4 ,foot1 the leading1 #bji4 ,forcing the hands #afi1 #caf4 ,formation of low-bred horse1 #bd4 ,formation of thoroughbred horse1 #bd4 ,french trot1 #ba1 #aii1 #bjc4 ,gaits for a lady's horse1 #bj4 ,gallop1 the1 #bch4 ,gallop1 flying1 dangers of turns in1 #bdb4 flying1 to stop in1 #bdh4 flying1 turns in1 #bdb1 #bdh4 hand1 #bch4 ,gauntlets1 riding1 #fd4 ,gayety of the horse1 #bhb4 ,gentleman's aid in dismounting1 #aji4 ,gentleman's aid in mounting1 #ajc4 ,girthing the saddle1 #gg1 #ic4 ,girths1 #gf1 #ie4 ,give and take movements1 #afi1 #aga1 #caf4 ,glossary1 #cac4 ,good riding1 tight corsets incompatible with1 #f4 ,grooms1 #dd1 #ej1 #ig1 #cje4 ,habit1 the riding1 #eb4 ,hair1 in riding1 #fa4 ,hand gallop1 #bch4 dangers in1 #bdj4 ,hard mouth of horses1 #ej4 ,hat1 the riding1 #fb4 ,head-dress1 #fa4 ,health from horseback riding1 #c4 ,height of horse for a lady1 #ai4 ,holding the reins1 #ade4 in flying gallop1 #bdg4 ,holding the riding skirt1 #fe4 ,holding the whip1 #ff4 ,horse1 affection of1 #d1 #af4 cares of the lady for1 #d1 #dd1 #dg4 character of1 #d4 collected1 #agg4 confidence of1 #e1 #af1 #cag4 defenses of1 #bga4 dismounting the1 #ii1 #ajh4 disunited1 #agg4 education of1 #ce4 exercise of the1 #ej4 falling down of1 #bhf1 #bid4 for a city lady1 #cj1 #ca4 for a country lady1 #cg4 gaits of1 for a lady's1 #bj4 height of1 for a lady1 #ai4 livery stable1 for a lady1 #ea4 managing the1 #ade4 managing1 with different reins1 #ade4 mounting the1 #ii4 origin of the1 #ac4 purchase of1 #ah1 #cj4 temperaments of the1 #bb4 the1 #ac4 the ,arab1 #af1 #bc4 the kind of1 to select1 #ah4 the low-bred1 #bc4 the thoroughbred1 #bc4 to collect the1 #agj1 #agg4 to stop the1 #aeb1 #aef1 #afd1 #aia1 #bab1 #bcf1 #bdh4 training the1 #cd4 treatment of the1 #ce4 united1 #agg4 unsteadiness of1 while being mounted1 #bij4 whipping the1 #bie4 ,horseback1 positions on1 #abi1 #acc1 #acg4 riding1 healthy1 #c4 the seat on1 #aad4 wrong positions on1 #aae1 #abh4 ,horses1 box stalls for1 #di4 corns on feet of1 #cb4 hard mouth of1 #ej4 humane training of1 #ce4 ladies'1 attentions to1 #d1 #dd1 #dg4 moderate priced1 #ca4 mouth1 changes of pressure on1 should be gradual1 #agd1 #aie4 stalls for1 #dg1 #di4 ,horse's head1 raising the1 #agd4 ,humane training of horses1 #ce4 ,hunting1 #aj4 ,introduction1 #a4 ,jacket1 the riding1 #ec4 ,jog-trot1 the country1 #ba1 #aih4 ,kicking1 #bhb4 ,ladies riding in park1 observations on1 #abh4 ,lady1 cares of1 for her horse1 #d1 #ch1 #dd4 correct seat for a1 #aah4 horse for a1 #ah1 #cj1 #cd4 livery-stable horse for a1 #ea4 ,lady's attention to her horse1 #d1 #ch1 #dd4 bridle1 #hb4 horse1 what gaits for a1 #bj4 pantaloons1 #eh4 saddle1 #fi1 #ic4 visiting her stable1 #dd4 whip1 #ff4 ,language of horse's ears1 #be1 #bgc4 ,latchford's safety stirrup1 #hj4 ,leading foot1 which is the1 #bji4 ,leap1 the1 #bdi4 the flying1 #bdi1 #bfg4 the standing1 #bdi1 #bec4 ,length and width of saddle1 #gb1 #gc4 ,lennan's safety stirrup1 #hj4 ,lessons with lunge-line1 #db1 #abe4 ,liberty of reins1 when to give1 #age4 ,limbs1 correct position of1 #abd4 faulty position of1 #acf4 ,livery-stable horse for a lady1 #ea4 ,long stirrup-leather1 #gd1 #aci4 ,low-bred horse1 formation of1 #bd4 ,lunge-line lessons1 #db1 #abe4 ,management of the horse in flying gallop1 #bci4 ,managing the horse with reins1 #ade4 ,martingales1 #hc4 ,moderate-priced horses1 #ca4 ,mounting1 #ii4 from a high horse-block1 #ajj4 from a low horse-block1 #aja4 from the ground1 #aja4 gentleman's aid in1 #ajc4 unsteadiness of horse while1 #bij4 ,movements of the rider's body1 #f4 ,natural riders1 #h1 #aad1 #abh4 ,near pommel to saddle1 #cag4 ,observations on ladies riding in park1 #abh4 ,off-pommel to saddle1 #ge1 #cag4 ,origin of the horse1 #ac4 ,original position of snaffle-reins1 one in each hand1 #aej4 ,original position of snaffle-reins1 both in one hand1 #aed4 position of snaffle and curb reins1 all in one hand1 #afa4 position of snaffle and curb reins1 one of each in each hand1 #aff4 ,over-reaching1 #bic1 #cag4 ,pace1 the1 #ba1 #aig1 #bah4 ,pantaloons1 a lady's1 #eh4 ,petticoat1 the riding1 #eh4 ,placing the saddle1 #ga1 #ic4 ,plunging1 #agf1 #bhd4 ,pommels to saddle1 #fi4 use of1 #gj1 #gc1 #ajj1 #aaf4 ,position of limbs should be taught by a lady1 #add4 ,positions on horseback1 #abi1 #acc1 #acg4 original1 of reins1 #aej1 #aed1 #afa1 #aff4 ,pressure on horse's mouth1 changes of1 to be gradual1 #agd1 #aie4 ,pupil and teacher1 #adb4 ,purchase of horse1 #ah1 #cj4 ,racing trot1 #aih4 ,rack1 the1 #ba1 #bah4 ,raising the horse's head1 #agd4 ,rearing1 #bhf4 ,rein1 to loosen or tighten one1 when double bridle is in left hand1 #afb4 ,reining back in the walk1 #ahd1 #aic4 ,reins1 changing the1 #aef4 curb and bridoon in one hand1 #afj4 dead pull upon1 #afi4 double1 one in each hand1 #aff4 double1 to change from left to right hand1 #afd4 double1 to change from right to left hand1 #afd4 double1 to separate1 and hold one of each in a hand1 #afe4 holding the1 #ade4 snaffle1 both in one hand1 #aeb4 snaffle1 both in one hand1 original position of1 #aed4 snaffle1 both in one hand1 to separate1 #aeh4 snaffle1 both in one hand1 to stop the horse1 #aef4 snaffle1 both in one hand1 to turn to the left1 #aee4 snaffle1 both in one hand1 to turn to the right1 #aee4 snaffle1 one in each hand1 #adi4 snaffle1 one in each hand1 original position of1 #aej4 snaffle1 one in each hand1 to stop the horse1 #aeb4 snaffle1 one in each hand1 to turn to the left1 #aea4 snaffle1 one in each hand1 to turn to the right1 #aea4 to change quickly1 #aeh1 #afe4 to change snaffle from left to right hand1 #aef4 to change snaffle from right to left hand1 #aeg4 to hold1 in flying gallop1 #bdg4 to return snaffle1 to the left hand1 #aeg4 to shorten the curb and lengthen the snaffle1 #afb4 to shorten the snaffle and lengthen the curb1 #afc4 to shorten or lengthen the curb and snaffle1 #afb4 to shorten or lengthen the snaffle1 #aei4 when to give more liberty of1 #age4 ,remarks1 on exercise of horse1 #ej4 on grooms1 #dd1 #ej1 #ig1 #cje4 on the stable1 #dd1 #dg4 on training the horse1 #cd1 #ce1 #dc4 ,restiveness1 #agc4 ,rider's body1 movements of1 #f4 figure1 style of1 #ah4 natural1 #h4 ,riding basque1 #ec4 boots1 #ei coiffure1 #fa4 corsets1 #fj4 dress1 fabric for1 #eg4 ,riding1 does not produce coarseness in rider1 #i4 drawers1 #ei4 erroneous ideas concerning1 #g4 first lessons in1 #bb1 #abe1 #adi1 #bag4 gauntlets1 #fd4 habit1 #eb4 habit1 shirt1 #ei4 habit1 skirt of1 #ee4 habit skirt1 how to hold1 #fe4 habit1 waist of1 #ec4 hair in1 #fa4 hat1 #fb4 jacket1 #ec4 pantaloons1 #eh4 petticoat1 #eh4 whip1 #ff1 #cjh4 ,rising in the saddle in ,english trot1 #bjg4 ,running away1 #bhh4 ,running walk1 #bj4 ,saddle-flaps1 #gf4 ,saddle1 girthing the1 #gg1 #ic4 lady's1 #fh1 #ic4 length of1 #gb1 #gc4 off-pommel to1 #ge4 placing the1 #ga1 #ic4 seat to the1 #gb4 second pommel to1 #fh1 #ge4 third pommel to1 #fh1 #gc1 #gd4 to adjust the1 #ga1 #ic4 to rise in the1 in ,english trot1 #bjg4 weight of the1 #gf4 width of the1 #gc4 ,safety stirrups1 #gi4 ,seat1 correct one for a lady1 #aah4 on horseback1 #aad4 to saddle1 #gb4 ,separation of the reins1 #afe4 ,shirt1 the riding-habit1 #ei4 ,short stirrup-leather1 #gd4 ,shying1 #bgc4 ,skirt1 foot-loop in1 #ef4 holding the1 #fe4 of the riding habit1 #ee4 ,snaffle-bit1 #hd1 #adh4 when best to use1 #adh1 #agj4 ,spring-bar attachment to stirrup-leather1 #hj4 ,spur and whip1 #bid4 ,stable1 ladies visiting the1 #dd4 ,stalls for horses1 #dg1 #di4 ,standing leap1 #bdi1 #bec4 ,stirrup1 #gd1 #gi4 irons1 #ha4 leather1 #gd1 #ha4 leather1 spring-bar attachment to1 #hj4 leather1 too long1 #gd1 #aci4 leather1 too short1 #gd1 #acf4 ,stokes' mode of girthing the saddle1 #gg4 ,stop in the canter1 #bcf4 the ,english trot1 #bab4 the flying gallop1 #bdh4 the walk1 #aia4 ,stumbling1 #agf1 #bib4 ,style of the rider's figure1 #ah4 ,support1 #afh1 #agc1 #cac4 ,teacher and pupil1 #adb4 ,temperaments of the horse1 #bb4 ,the ,arab horse1 #af1 #bc4 ,the canter1 #bbb4 ,the gallop1 #bch4 ,the horse1 #ac4 ,the kind of horse to purchase1 #ah1 #cj4 ,the leap1 #bdi4 ,the low-bred horse1 #bc4 ,the saddle and bridle1 #fg4 ,the seat on horseback1 #aad4 ,the thoroughbred1 #bc4 ,the trot1 #aig4 ,the walk1 #aha4 ,third pommel1 #fh-gd1 #aba1 #bjb4 ,thorough and low bred1 differences1 #bc4 ,tight corsets prevent good riding1 #f4 ,to change reins quickly1 #aeh1 #afe4 ,to collect the horse1 #agj1 #agg4 ,to hold the riding-skirt1 #fe4 ,to manage the horse with the various reins1 #ade4 ,to rise in the saddle in the ,english trot1 #bjg4 ,too long stirrup-leather1 #gd1 #aci4 ,too short stirrup-leather1 #gd1 #acf4 ,to turn the horse to the left1 #aea4 ,to turn the horse to the right1 #aea4 ,training horses1 humane1 #ce4 remarks on1 #cd1 #ce1 #db4 to stop at the voice1 #dc4 ,treatment of horse1 #cd1 #ce1 #db4 ,trot1 circling to the left1 #baf4 circling to the right1 #bae4 country-jog1 #ba1 #aih ,english or rising1 #ba1 #bjj1 #bjg4 ,french or cavalry1 #ba1 #aii1 #bjc4 the flying1 #aih4 the true1 #aii4 to canter from the1 #bcb4 ,trotting in a circle1 #bad4 ,true trot1 #aii4 ,turns in the canter1 #bcc1 #bcd4 dangers of1 in the flying gallop1 #bdb1 #bdh4 in the hand gallop1 #bdj4 in the walk1 #ahg4 ,united canter1 #bcd4 ,unsoundness of horses' feet and legs1 #bc4 ,unsteadiness of horse while being mounted1 #bij4 ,use of pommels1 #gj1 #gc1 #ajj1 #aaf1 #bjb4 ,victoria stirrup1 #gi4 ,waist of riding habit1 #ec4 ,walk1 reining back in1 #ahd1 #aic4 running1 #bj4 stopping in the1 #aia4 the1 #aha4 the advance in the1 #ahd4 turning in the1 #ahg4 ,weight of the saddle1 #gf4 ,what gaits to train a lady's horse in1 #bj4 ,when best to use the curb1 #agj1 #agd1 note #agh4 best to use the snaffle1 #adh1 #agj4 ,when to give more liberty of reins1 #age4 ,which is the leading foot1 #bji4 ,whip1 the lady's1 #ff4 the lady's1 how to hold1 #ff4 ,whipping the horse1 #bie4 ,whip and spur1 #bid4 ,why some women do not enjoy riding1 #f4 ,width of saddle1 #gc4 ,wrong positions on horseback1 #aae1 #abh4 99 99 99 99 99 ,transcriber's ,note3 ,punctuation in the text has been standardised1 and obvious typographical errors have been silently corrected4 ,bold text is surrounded by equal signs4 ,variations in hyphenation1 and obsolete or variant spelling have all been preserved4 ,in ,table of ,illustrations the entry ,chifney ,bit was originally spelled ,chiffney2 this has been changed to match the spelling in ,fig4 #ac4