36 RIDING FOR LADIES. 



and balance motions, endeavour to correct your position 

 on the saddle, catechize you closely on the " aids," and 

 introduce as much variety as possible. 



Before urging your steed into his wild six or seven-mile- 

 an-hour career, please bear in mind that you must not rise 

 suddenly, or with a jerk, but quietly and smoothly, letting 

 the impetus come from the motion of the horse. The 

 rise from the saddle must not be initiated by a long pull 

 and strong pull at his mouth, a spasmodic grip of your 

 right leg on the crutch, or a violent attempt to raise 

 yourself in the air from your stirrup. The horse will not 

 accommodate his action to yours, you must " take him on the 

 hop," as the saying is. If horse and rider go disjointly, or 

 you do not harmonize your movements with his, then it is 

 something as unpleasant as dancing a waltz with a partner 

 who won't keep time, or rowing '' spoonful about." 



Falling in with the trot of a horse is at first very difficult. 

 In order to faciHtate matters as much as possible, you shall, 

 for a few days, substitute the old-fashioned slipper for the 

 stirrup, as then the spring will come from the toes and not 

 from the hollow of the foot ; this will lessen the exertion 

 and be easier. If nature has happened to fashion you some- 

 what short from the hip to the knee, and you will attend to 

 instruction and practice frequently, the chances are strong in 

 your favour of conquering the irksome " cross-jolt." Sepa- 

 rate your reins, taking one in each hand, feeling the mouth 

 equally with both reins, sit well down lOn your saddle, keep 

 your left foot pointed straight to the front, don't attempt to 

 move till the horse has steadied into his trot, which, in case 

 of a well trained animal, will be in a stride or two, then en- 

 deavour, obeying the impulse of his movement, to time the 

 rise. 



A really perfectly broken horse, " supplied on both 



