44 RIDING FOR LADIES. 



The Hand-gallop and Gallop. 



The rider should not attempt either of these accelerated 

 paces till quite confident that she has the horse under com- 

 plete control. As the hand-gallop is only another and 

 quickened form of the canter, in which the stride is both 

 lengthened and hastened, or, more correctly speaking, in 

 which the bounds are longer and faster, the same rules are 

 applicable to both. Many horses, especially those through 

 whose veins strong hot blood is pulsing, fairly revel in the 

 gallop, and if allowed to gain upon the hand, will soon ex- 

 tend the hand-gallop to full-gallop, and that rapid pace into 

 a runaway. The rider must, therefore, always keep her 

 horse well in hand, so as to be able to slacken speed should 

 he get up too much steam. Some, impatient of restraint, 

 will shake their heads, snatch at their bits, and yaw about, 

 " fighting for their heads," as it is termed, and will endeavour 

 to bore and get their heads down. 



A well-trained horse, one such as a beginner should ride, 

 will not play these pranks and will not take a dead pull at 

 the rider's hands; on the contrary, he will stride along 

 quite collectedly, keeping his head in its proper place, 

 and taking just sufficient hold to make things pleasant. 

 But horses with perfect mouths and manners are, like 

 angels' visits, few and far between, and are eagerly sought 

 after by those fortunate beings to whom money is no 

 object. To be on the safe side, the rider should always 

 be on the alert and prepared to at once apply the brake. 

 When fairly in his stride and going comfortably, the rider, 

 leaning slightly forward, should, with both hands on the 

 bridle, give and take with each stroke, playing the while 

 with the curb ; she should talk cheerily to him, but the least 



