146 THE AMERICAN HORSEWOMAN. 



port the weight of his neck and shoulders. On 

 the contrary, if she be firm in her seat, and not 

 in the least dependent upon the reins, her hand 

 will be light, and the animal will yield a ready 

 obedience and advance in his best pace. The 

 preceding remarks explain why a horse will go 

 lightly with one rider and heavily with another. 

 A lady should have a thorough knowledge of 

 the management of her horse, and of the means 

 by which she may command him in every de- 

 gree of speed, and under all circumstances ; 

 without this knowledge she can never become a 

 safe and accomplished horsewoman. A gentle- 

 man may guide and control his horse, and ob- 

 tain obedience from a restive one, by a firm, 

 strong hand, and by his courage and determined 

 will ; but as a rule, a lady cannot depend upon 

 these methods ; she will have to rely entirely 

 upon the thorough training of her horse, a 

 properly arranged bit, her firm, yet delicate 

 touch, and her skill in handling the reins. 

 The well-trained hand of a woman is always 

 energetic enough to obtain the mastery of 

 her horse, without having to resort to feats 

 of strength and acrobatic movements ; and 

 a lady should never seek to gain prestige by 

 riding restless or vicious horses, in order that 

 she may display her skill in conquering them ; 



