148 RIDING FOR LADIES. 



fact that they see the daylight underneath, and have sense 

 to know quite well that they are only being humbugged. 



When you have acquired a certain amount of confidence 

 over such trifling obstacles as I have mentioned, it will be 

 well for you to enlist the services of a good rider, and ask 

 him to pilot you over a few easy fences, and to show you 

 the way through a gap or two, with perhaps a small ditch 

 on the off or landing side. You must avoid being too 

 ambitious, or over-confident, if you happen, fortunately, to 

 get on well at first. The horse on which you practice 

 should be a steady, easy jumper, neither too flippant nor 

 at all apt to refuse, and you should ride him without a 

 spur, until such time as you are qualified to take him into 

 the hunting-field. 



When going straight at a leap, sit firmly in the centre of 

 your saddle, your head well up, your eyes looking right 

 between your horse's ears, the snafiie reins in both hands, 

 with just a slight feeling upon your mount's mouth, without 

 any attempt at holding him back or clinging by the bridle 

 to secure your own safety. Never on any account contract 

 the habit of clutching short at the reins, or at any part of 

 the saddle, in order to help you in preserving your balance 

 — nor should you throw up your hands, which must in all 

 instances be kept low and steady. When approaching a 

 leap, bend your body slightly backwards from the waist 

 up, at the same time keeping your seat firmly in the 

 middle of the saddle, that you may not be disconcerted by 

 the action of the loin-muscles of the horse. The degree to 

 which this " leaning back " is to be carried must of course 



