46 RIDING FOR LADIES. 



at once, without breaking into a run or trot, into the canter. 

 All the rider has to do is to raise the hand ever so little, press 

 him with the leg, touch him with the whip, and give him the 

 unspellable signal "klk." The movement or sway of the 

 body should follow that of the horse. As soon as he is in his 

 stride, the rider throws back her body a little, and places her 

 hand in a suitable position. If the horse carries his head well, 

 the hand ought to be about three inches from the pommel, 

 and at an equal distance from the body. For " star-gazers " 

 it should be lower ; and for borers it should be raised higher. 

 Once properly under way the lady will study that almost 

 imperceptible willow-like bend of the back, her shoulders 

 will be thrown back gracefully, the mere suspicion of a 

 swing accommodating itself to the motion of the horse will 

 come from the pliant waist, and she will yield herself just 

 a little to the opposite side from that the horse's leading 

 leg is on. If he leads with the off-foot, he inclines a 

 trifle to the left, and the rider's body and hands must turn 

 but a little to the left also, and vice versa. 



It is the rider's province to direct which foot the horse 

 shall lead with. To canter with the left fore leg leading, the 

 extra bearing will be upon the left rein, the little finger 

 turned up towards the right shoulder, the hint from the 

 whip — a mere touch should suffice — being on the right 

 shoulder or flank. It is essential that the bearing upon the 

 mouth, a light playing touch, should be preserved through- 

 out the whole pace. If the horse should, within a short 

 distance — say a mile or so, — flag, then he must be reminded 

 by gentle application of the whip. He cannot canter 

 truly and bear himself handsomely unless going up to his 

 bit. The rider must feel the cadence of every pace, and 

 be able to extend or shorten the stride at will. It is 

 an excellent plan to change the leading leg frequently. 



