78 RIDING FOR LADIES. 



well for rough riding, but I cannot recommend the inno- 

 vation. 



Martingales of all sorts and descriptions are, as a rule, 

 undesirable, except when the rings attached to the reins of 

 them are so small that they cannot by any possibility slip 

 over those of the bit, and this will necessitate the stitching 

 of the reins — for buckles will not do. Stops will other- 

 wise be essential : made of leather, for safety. 



I cannot help believing that bitting is generally much 

 too severely carried out. The most cruel curbs are used 

 by ignorant persons, whereas there are really very few horses 

 who cannot be done much more with by dropping the curb 

 rein altogether, and riding on the snaffle only. Ladies pull 

 and work their horses' mouths, and then wonder that 

 the horses pull them in return. It is a great mistake. 

 Hundreds of animals are made thoroughly unruly by 

 undue use of the curb, and so much evil have I seen accrue 

 from it, that I strongly recommend all young riders to try 

 riding with the snaffle only, and to keep the curb rein 

 hanging loosely over the little finger, so that it may in an 

 instant be taken up if necessity demands, which I am 

 confident, however, will not very often be the case. 



Some time ago I rode a mare for a friend who was very 

 desirous of ascertaining whether the animal was a fit one to 

 carry a lady with safety. I don't believe she meant to 

 imperil my safety in any way, in order to secure her own. 

 I simply offered to try the mare, and the proposal was 

 accepted. Terrible things had been said of the animal's 

 want of training, evil temper, and so forth, and the groom 



