56 



some confidential domestic in the park or 

 paddock, or to a few scanty lessons in a 

 riding-school, and the riding-master's "matter- 

 of-course" compliments on their equestrian abi- 

 lities. Their want of perfection may also be 

 owing to their own haste in venturing, prema- 

 turely, to ride alone without the instructor. 

 Hence, perhaps, they lose, or at least never ac- 

 quire gracefulness, nor the perfect management 

 of the bridle-reins, and imbibe many errors 

 and uncertainties, without the resources af- 

 forded by a knowledge of the science of riding, 

 besides being always in danger. They therefore 

 should acquire theory to enable them to practice 

 with confidence. A gentleman may thus in- 

 struct his wife and daughters in holding the 

 bridle, and placing themselves in the saddle, 

 the crutch, and the stirrup, and to arrange their 

 dress, in his private stable-yard, and practice 

 in a circle in any spare corner of his garden or 

 lawn. 



Ladies require Saddles adapted in the crutch, 

 seat, and cantle, to their own individual per- 

 sons. In some ladies the saddle and its appur- 

 tenances must be more ample than for others 



