i6o LADIES' RIDING. 



herself, can hardly avoid putting more weight on one side 



the near — than on the other; besides that, she cannot 



help to keep the saddle in its place by the grip of the 

 legs, as a man can. The leather surcingle, being hard 

 and inelastic, should on no account be buckled tightly. 



Before mounting, the rider might run her eye over 

 the following " points : " that the mouthpiece of the 

 bit (see p. 230) is just clear of the tushes of the horse, or 

 about an inch above the corner nippers of the mare ; 

 the curbchain the proper length ; the lipstrap on ; that 

 the snaffle does not wrinkle the corners of the mouth ; 

 that the throat latch is loose enough ; the running martin- 

 gale sufficiently long to have the pull of the reins on 

 a line with the top of the withers ; standing martingale, 

 if it be used, proper length ; saddle just clear of the 

 play of the shoulders ; girths tight ; and surcingle looser 

 than the girths. 



The leather work of the saddle and bridle should be 

 clean and soft, the stitches clearly defined, and not 

 clogged up by grease or dirt ; while no stain should 

 be left on a white pocket-handkerchief, or kid glove, if 

 it be passed over any portion of the leather. Beeswax 

 should not be employed to give the saddle a polish, as 

 it makes it very " sticky." Nothing but soap should be 



