246 THE AMERICAN HORSEWOMAN. 



that will enable them to indulge their penchant 

 for rapid riding, without danger to themselves, 

 or injury to their horses. Before the lady at- 

 tempts rapid riding, however, she must be thor- 

 oughly trained in all the other gaits of the 

 animal, must possess strong, healthy nerves, 

 and must have sufficient muscular power in her 

 arms to hold and manage her horse, and to 

 stop him whenever occasion requires ; she must 

 also have fitted to his mouth a curb-bit which 

 possesses sufficient power to control him and 

 to bring him to a stand, when this is desired. 

 Above all, her horse must be sure-footed, and 

 free from any and every defect that might occa- 

 sion stumbling. 



Every point having been carefully attended 

 to, and the lady being ready for the ride, she 

 must sit firmly upon the centre of the saddle, 

 grasping the second and third pommels, as de- 

 scribed above. She must be careful not to 

 press strongly upon the stirrup, as this will 

 tend to raise her body from the saddle. From 

 the hips down the body and limbs must be held 

 as immovable as possible. The body, below the 

 waist, must by its own weight, aided by the 

 clasp of the right and left legs upon their re- 

 spective pommels, secure a firm seat upon the 

 saddle. From the waist up the body must be 



