20 HORSES FOR LADIES. 



who would be best suited with a weight-carrying 

 hunter or compact cob. The height might vary from 

 14-2 to 15-3. I hardly think that even a small woman 

 would look well on a pony which is less than 13-3. 



A beginner should be put on a lazy animal, whether 

 horse or pony, that will condescend to trot or canter 

 for only a short distance, which will be quite far enough 

 for its inexperienced rider. Many parents who are 

 supervising the riding instruction of their children, look 

 too far ahead when selecting a mount. Instead of pur- 

 chasing a steady, plodding, though not unwilling slave, 

 they invest in a second- or third-stage animal, which is 

 absolutely useless to a beginner, because it wants more 

 riding than she can give it. Such a young lady needs 

 a thoroughly steady animal, no matter how old or ugly 

 it may be, and she will probably learn more about 

 riding on it in a month, than she would in a year on 

 a horse which would have to be led by a groom, on 

 account of its unsteadiness. A good donkey is a most 

 useful conveyance for young girls, as he can generally 

 be trusted to take things quietly, and will not unduly 

 exert himself without being called upon to do so. 



For the benefit of inexperienced riders, I must not 

 omit to mention that the measurement of horses is 

 taken from the highest point of the withers to the 

 ground. A horse is measured by hands and inches, 

 not, as in humans, by feet and inches. A hand is 

 4 in., therefore an animal of 15 hands is 5 ft. in 

 height ; 16 hands, 5 ft. 4 in. ; 17 hands, 5 ft. 8 in. ; 

 and one of 17-2 which would be a gigantic height 



