8 INTRODUCTION. 



and this effect, far from being objectionable, 

 is highly desirable, as it contributes to symme- 

 try of form, as well as to health and strength, 

 conditions that in a large proportion of our 

 American women are unfortunately lacking. 

 Those who ride on horseback will find that 

 while gaining in strength and proper physical 

 tissue, they will, at the same time, as a rule, be 

 gradually losing all excess of flesh ; it is impos- 

 sible for an active rider to become fat or flabby ; 

 but the indolent woman who is prejudiced 

 against exercise of any kind will soon find the 

 much dreaded calamity, corpulency, overtaking 

 her, and beauty of form more or less rapidly 

 disappearing beneath a mountain of flesh. 



There are many persons who entertain the 

 mistaken idea that instinct is a sufficient guide 

 in learning to ride ; that it is quite unnecessary 

 to take any lessons or to make a study of the 

 art of correct riding; and that youth, a good 

 figure, and practice are all that is required to 

 make a finished rider. This is a most erro- 

 neous opinion, which has been productive of 

 much harm to lady riders. The above qualifi- 

 cations are undoubtedly great assistants, but 

 without correct instruction they will never 

 produce an accomplished and graceful rider. 



The instinctive horsewoman usually rides 



