UNASKED ADVICE. 



THE LADY'S HORSE. 



THAT whatever is worth doing is worth doing well, is a 

 truism which, in words at least, is never contradicted. 

 In deeds there is the usual difference between theory and 

 practice ; and in no instance is this difference so notice- 

 able as in the theory and practice of lady equestrianism. 



I do not for a moment mean to withhold honour where 

 honour is due, or to deny that there are hundreds of 

 ladies whose riding is perfection ; but at the same time 

 a very short lounge in Rotten-row wiU convince the most 

 casual observer that, while there is more to admire there 

 in the way of female horsemanship than in any similar 

 resort in the world, yet there are many ladies or perhaps 

 young ladies' fathers, guardians, &c. to whom a word 

 of advice, which they need not take, may at least convey 

 some new ideas on the subject of riding. The ladies 

 themselves only need to be told what is right, for happily 

 they are apt enough at learning what is becoming ; and 

 there are some things of which all need to be informed 

 at the beginning of their equestrian career. The reason 

 is obvious. A lady's seat on horseback is so purely an 

 artificial and acquired position, that, unless by a fortunate 

 " fluke," no lady can teach herself ; and in riding, as in 



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