148 THE AMERICAN HORSEWOMAN. 



nicated to the animal, which then becomes ob- 

 stinate and rebellious ; moreover, a man will 

 often whip and spur for some trivial offense in 

 instances where a woman would simply speak to 

 her horse, or take no notice. Hence, the igno- 

 rant horsewoman often rides in safety under 

 circumstances in which the ignorant horseman, 

 who has resorted to violent measures, meets 

 with an accident. 



Although a horse may submit to an awk- 

 ward rider and carry her with safety, still she 

 will have no power to make him move in his 

 best and most regular manner, and there will 

 exist no intelligence or harmony between the 

 two. Yet this same horse, when mounted by 

 a lady who understands the management of 

 the reins, will be all animation and happi- 

 ness. There will soon be established a tacit 

 understanding between the two, and the grace- 

 ful curvetings and prancings of the steed will 

 manifest his pride and joy in carrying and 

 obeying a gentle woman, who manages the reins 

 with spirit and resolution, and yet does not, 

 with the cruelty of ignorance or indifference, 

 convert them into instruments of torture. 



The reins should not be employed until a 

 firm, steady position upon the saddle has been 

 acquired, and then, for first lessons, the snaffle 



