PEEFACE. 



IN presenting this volume to the women of 

 America, the author would remark that, at least 

 as far as she is aware, it is the first one, exclu- 

 sively devoted to the instruction of lady riders, 

 that has ever been written by one of their own 

 countrywomen. In its preparation, no preten- 

 sion is made to the style of a practiced author, 

 the writer freely acknowledging it to be her 

 first venture in the (to her) hitherto unex- 

 plored regions of authorship ; she has simply 

 undertaken, being guided and aided by her 

 own experience in horseback riding, to write, 

 in plain and comprehensive language, and in 

 as concise a manner as is compatible with a 

 clear understanding of her subject, all that she 

 deems it essential for a horsewoman to know. 

 This she has endeavored to do without any af- 

 fectation or effort to acquire reputation as an 

 author, and wholly for the purpose of benefit- 

 ing those of her own sex who wish to learn not 

 only to ride, but to ride well. She has also 



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