56 THE AMERICAN HORSEWOMAN. 



than the rider's ordinary dress*. The skirt 

 should be so gored as to form no gathers or 

 plaits at the waist. Tailor-made skirts are so 

 neatly gored as to remain perfectly smooth 

 when the rider is seated in the saddle. As the 

 pommels take up a good deal of room, the front 

 part of the skirt, which passes over them, should 

 be made a little longer than the back, so that, 

 when the rider is seated in the saddle, her dress 

 may hang evenly. If made the same length all 

 around it will, when the lady is mounted, be 

 entirely too short in front, and, besides present- 

 ing an uneven, trail-like appearance, will be apt 

 to work back, or to blow up and expose the 

 right foot of the wearer. 



The bottom of the skirt should have a hem 

 about three inches wide, but should never be 

 faced with leather, as this will give a stiff, bun- 

 gling effect, and if the rider should be thrown, 

 and catch the hem of her skirt on either pom- 

 mel or stirrup, the strength of the leather lining 

 would prevent the cloth from tearing and thus 

 releasing her. Shot, pieces of lead, or other 

 hard substances are also objectionable, because 

 by striking against the horse's side they often 

 cause him to become restless or even to run 

 away. To keep the skirt down in its proper 

 position a loop of stout elastic, or tape, should 



