236 ENGLISH SPORTSWOMEN 



that all true lovers of animals take a pleasure in 

 studying the likes and dislikes of an organ- 

 grinder's monkey, a costermonger's donkey, or 

 a high-priced polo-pony — in fact, any creature 

 they happen to come across. It improves their 

 hands to lay up such a curious store of knowledge, 

 which will eventually come in handy. For not 

 only does every horse require to be ridden in a 

 slightly different way, but your mount's confidence 

 must be won ; further, it is plainly your duty to 

 know (not to guess) that the bit is suitable, the 

 shoes are comfortable, and that your girths are 

 neither too tight nor too loose. If you can squeeze 

 two fingers in between your girths, they are about 

 tight enough. When jumping, sit right back and 

 give the horse his head — very few ladies can help 

 a horse by pulling him together on landing ; inter- 

 ference in this way usually means that the rider 

 is clutching on by the reins. 



Those who have lent good hunters to ladies 

 feel much concerned about their backs — for a 

 side-saddle is very apt to raise unsightly sores 

 which take time to heal, and cause what was a 

 previously sound-backed horse, to flinch with dis- 

 comfort. 



In these cases prevention is better than cure* 

 Have a sheep-skin numnah ; apply soothing 

 lotion to the first sign of soreness, and let your 

 saddler do all which lies in his power to prevent 

 a bad "sit- fast." 



Possibly the reader who is tired with the men- 

 tion of so many valuable books — they daze him, 

 and he does not know which to choose — wishes 



