Women in the Field. 93 



or other obstructions he will not attempt to jump. 

 Commence in time turning him to the right, so in 

 case he gets you out of the saddle, you will go 

 off to the left instead of the right. Your safety 

 stirrup (without which no lady should ever get 

 into the saddle) will release your foot, and your 

 skirts come clear. Retain your grasp of the reins 

 to the last, even when you have left the saddle; 

 they will assist in letting you down easy. 



However, the main thing is not to let him get 

 the start on you. If you suspect him of bolting, 

 watch his ears closely; they are good indicators, 

 and will generally give warning of his intention. 

 Pull him up and face him the other way until his 

 ''spell" is over; then hold him down to a mod- 

 erate pace. 



The question of the cross-saddle for women 

 is now receiving much attention, many converts 

 resulting. It is, however, but the revival of an 

 ancient custom of the seventeenth century. It 

 goes to prove there is "nothing new under the 

 sun." 



Personally, I am a convert to the advisability 

 of women riding astride, especially in the hunt- 

 ing field. I believe it to be much safer, easier, 

 and undoubtedly healthier, and while some think 

 it ungraceful and undignified, I can not agree 

 with them. Of course, a short-limbed, fleshy 

 woman mounted on a broad-back horse would 

 doubtless appear to disadvantage, but I am not 



