i66 LADIES' RIDING. 



on purpose in the habit. The skirt should be pulled 

 well down between the right leg and the saddle. If 

 properly cut, it will never "work up," even in jump- 

 ing, presuming, of course, that the rider sits, as she 

 ought to do, with her right foot well against the horse, 

 and that she does not swing it about. She now places, 

 with the aid of the gentleman, her left foot in the 

 stirrup, as far as the ball of the foot. The gentleman may 

 draw the habit down behind, or, while resting her right 

 hand, with the reins in it, on the pommel, she may rise 

 in the stirrup and smooth down her habit with her left 

 hand. " This act of clearing the slack of the skirt is one 

 which is so frequently necessary for the lady to execute 

 when riding that she should practise it frequently in her 

 early lessons. It is true that when the assistant first 

 places her on the horse he can arrange her habit as she 

 rises from the saddle ; but, for some time, until she has 

 acquired firmness and perfect balance, her habit will in- 

 variably ride up, particularly in trotting, and it is neces- 

 sary that she should be independent in this respect 

 of the gentleman who attends her. Moreover, as to 

 arrange the habit gracefully requires considerable practice, 

 it should form a distinct part of the lesson at first when 

 the horse is standing perfectly still, afterwards at a walk. 



