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THE MODERN SYSTEM 



high road is the proper theatre of exercise for 

 these Horses ; but, as in London, there may 

 be sometimes a necessity for exercising them 

 on the pavement, where the pace should 

 never exceed the slow trot. 



ladies' horses. 



Much care seems in general to be used in 

 the selection of ladies' Horses, and our la- 

 dies appear to be sufficiently attentive to that 

 necessary accomplishmer-t, riding on Horse- 

 back ; this is evident from the comparatively 

 few accidents which happen to ladies when 

 riding. 



This delightful exercise, to which our young 

 and most gracious queen Victoria seems to 

 have formed so great an attachment, vvill no 

 doubt become still more fashionable ; for 

 when did royalty set an example which was 

 not followed, and extend its influence (whether 

 for good or evil) in this country ? Happy are 

 we to feel assured that this exercise combines 

 health as well as pleasure to the riders, and 

 shews both elegance and grace to the be- 

 holders. 



For elegance, a lady's pad should have a 

 considerable show of blood, and should sel- 

 dom exceed fifteen hands in height ; the 

 paces should not be rough ; and an easy slow 

 trot, the pace of health, is a valuable qualifi- 

 cation. The canter is of the chief conse- 

 quence, and that it be formed naturally and 

 handsomely, the neck gracefully curved, and 

 the mouth having pleasant and good feeling ; 

 these are natural canterers, they will last at it, 

 taking to it, and on the proper signal drop- 

 ping into the trot or walk, without roughness, 

 boggling, or changing of legs. But the first 

 and grand consideration is going safely ; for a 

 Horse deficient in that respect, is perhaps 



always most liable to fall in ins canter. The 

 most graceful canterers may be observed to 

 lead generally, with the off leg; but no doubt 

 there is such an error, as a Horse, both in his 

 canter and gallop, going with the wrong leg 

 first, to the considerable uneasiness of the 

 rider ; this is most felt upon worn and bat- 

 tered Horses, which change their legs to pro- 

 cure a momeniary ease. 



The person who attends for the purpose of 

 assisting a lady to mount her Horse, must come 

 close to her; must join his hands, by placing 

 his fingers within each other, to form a stirrup 

 for the ladys left foot, as near to the ground 

 as possible ; her left knee must be quite 

 straight, which will facilitate the assistant's 

 effort to place her in the saddle, which is also 

 forwarded by a moderate spring from herself. 

 She will perceive the necessity of the knee 

 being held perfectly straight, and of her 

 standing with her shoulder close to the saddle. 

 Here one reason is apparent why a lady s pad 

 ought not to be too lofty. 



Some masters teach their lady-scholars to 

 ride on either side of the Horse, and recom- 

 mend to have the pommel of the saddle made 

 very low, that the knee may not be thrown 

 too high ; and also that the pommel be made 

 with a screw, to be taken off in case of a 

 lady wishing to change sides on any particu- 

 lar account. Ladies' riding-shoes should be 

 always straight soled, as in case of accident, 

 there is the risk of the foot hanging in the 

 stirrup, when the sole, according to the old 

 fashion, is hollow next the heel. A lady's 

 pad should particularly be accustomed to 

 walk off quietly; and with respect to his im- 

 provement in that pace, it is accomplished by 

 touching him gently behind with the whip. 



In caae a lady should have to dismount 



