34 RIDING FOR LADIES. 



manners. If he romps with his head, pulls heavily against 

 the hand, leans weightily upon the bit, crosses his legs, 

 goes clumsily upon his shoulders, or, in short, renders his 

 rider in any way uncomfortable or unsafe, he is as un- 

 suitable for you as though he were addicted to some actual 

 vice. To be brief, he is not fitted for his office. 



If, on the contrary, he can be ridden upon grass with a 

 common snaffle and a single rein — not pulling, and going 

 well up to his bridle — the making of his mouth has at least 

 been properly attended to ; he is fit to be a lady's horse. 

 I do not consider that any animal is so who requires a 

 curb ; but the subject of bitting is of too great importance 

 to be merely touched upon here. I shall give some 

 practical advice about it in a future chapter. 



In the event of your purchasing a horse from a friend, 

 adopt precisely the same rules as though buying him from 

 a dealer, unless the animal be one with whom you are 

 perfectly well acquainted. In such a case his price will J^e 

 the only question ; but if there is nothing amiss with him, 

 and your friend is a person of honesty and good sense, he 

 will freely grant you both a trial and an opinion, and will 

 be rather pleased than otherwise that you should demand 

 them, as the responsibility of the sale will then be lifted 

 from his shoulders. 



In selecting a horse, discard anything that is too large. 

 A lady who is not a welter-weight does not require a 

 weight-carrier, nor does she look well upon one either. 

 See that he has good fore-legs, and has not any tendency 

 to being what is termed " over at the knees," for if he has 



