LADIES' RIDING. 



Nowhere in woman's empire does she appear to such an advantage as 

 when on a borse^s back; in the street, the park, or anywhere a horsewoman 

 appears, the eye is irresistibly attracted ; and the figure, the face, the dress, 

 and finally the horse, are closely scrutinized. There is nothing so attractive 

 to the male observer as a graceful horsewoman in a well-fitting riding- 

 habit. Her beauty is, no doubt, enhanced by the blood being set in motion 

 and the exhilarating effects of the splendid exercise. It imparts a courage 

 to a timid woman, which must be beneficial in after life, and as an aid to 

 digestion and health the exercise is invaluable. There is no limit to the 

 age at which a lady may commence taking lessons. Some of the most 

 finished horsewomen known did not begin riding till long after they were 

 married. The position of the lady rider is much more secure than the 

 man's. On a well-fitted lady's saddle, with the pommels arranged to a 

 nicety, it is almost impossible for the rider to lose her seat; it is as essen- 

 tial, however, for the lady to be measured for the saddle as for her riding 

 habit. 



The seat of the saddle should be perfectly level. Level seat may require 

 a few words of explanation. The ordinary side-saddle, made with the arch 

 of the tree raised to clear the withers, is necessarily much higher in front 

 than behind, and as a consequence the knee is thrown up in a cramped and 

 fatiguing position. It is thus diflicult to keep the figure erect, an aching 

 back ensues to the rider, and the body is twisted sideways, giving only a 

 one-sided development to the muscles, and great danger of causing damage 

 to the spine. The weight is not in the centre, and that with the chafing on 

 the withers is frequent torture to the horse. The level seat has the tree 

 cut away to escape the Avithers, and replaced by a pad of soft leather, giving 

 that horizontal shape from front to rear so much desired, yet so seldom 

 found. It permits the rider to sit perfectly square to the horse's head, with 

 the knee down, the body erect, and no cramps, fatigue, or twisting the 

 spine. 



