90 RIDING FOR LADIES. 



It is almost unnecessary to say that while tight girthing 

 is for every reason to be avoided, it will not do at all to 

 leave the girths of a lady's saddle too loose. When they 

 are so, the uneven distribution of weight which a side 

 position necessarily entails will be sure to draw the saddle 

 on one side, or perhaps even cause it to turn : in which 

 case the consequences will be both dangerous and un- 

 pleasant 



I think it an excellent plan to lead a horse about by 

 the bridle for a minute or two after girthing, and then 

 try again whether he is tight enough, by inserting a hand 

 between the girths and the belly, and seeing whether they 

 need any further looking after. 



I must not omit to say that if you are using a saddle- 

 cloth or sheepskin, you should, before finally girthing up, 

 draw the front part of it well forward on the withers, in 

 order that the gullet-plate of the saddle (if that article 

 happens to be made with one) may not press upon them. 



The last thing for you to do before mounting will be to 

 pass your forefinger under the girths at each side of the 

 horse's body, and smooth away any wrinkles that the 

 action of girthing may have caused in his skin. 



It will not be amiss here to say that many ladies have 

 asked me for an opinion concerning the advisability of 

 riding occasionally on the left or off side of the horse. I 

 cannot see any objection whatever to it for ordinary riding, 

 although I cannot advocate it for hunting ; and where 

 young girls find it expedient to ride a good deal, I should 

 be apt to recommend it highly, as a means of preventing 



