16 HORSES FOR LADIES. 



to be on the back of a horse who is inclined to drop 

 his hind legs in the ditch on the other side, or to 

 " chance" a post and rails. Many young horses are 

 so reluctant in going at a fence, and in " spreading 

 themselves out," that they are no good except when 

 ridden by a man who can use his legs, which is a feat 

 that a woman is unable to accomplish. 



A perfect hack, whether for man or woman, is far 

 more difficult to find at the present time than a good 

 hunter, and when found will command a fancy price. 

 The ideal hack is a showy, well-bred animal of the 

 officer's charger type, which has been thoroughly well 

 " made" in all his paces. Such an animal appears at 

 his best when executing a slow, collected canter, with 

 arched neck and looking full of fire and gaiety, though 

 ridden with an almost slack rein, and intent only on 

 rendering prompt obedience to the slightest indication 

 of his rider. In Germany and France the hacks ridden 

 in the Tiergarten and Bois, for instance, are thoroughly 

 " made," and compare very favourably with the pull- 

 ing, half-broken brutes on which many ladies appear 

 in the Row. In former times, before the introduction 

 of the leaping-head made hunting possible for women, 

 more attention was paid to the breaking and training of 

 hacks than at present, on account of the great demand 

 for "complete ladies' horses." The advent of the 

 bicycle for ladies has almost abolished hacking as a 

 pastime and means of exercise, and hence the difficulty 

 in finding a well-broken animal for this work. The 

 best substitute is, I think, a good polo pony, because 



