228 RIDING FOR LADIES. 



If riding a kicker, give warning to those in the rear of 

 you to keep out of the way. Never jump over a fallen 

 horseman ; select another part of the fence to effect your 

 leap. Do not continue to ride a beaten animal ; pull off 

 the moment that he hangs out signals of distress. When 

 called upon to cross a ford, do so x^ry cautiously, and if 

 your horse makes a kind oi forward plunge, and an attempt 

 at swimming, throw him the reins at once or he will roll 

 over. Do not on any account interfere with his mouth at 

 such a time. Keep your left foot stuck well forward, or, 

 better still, lift the leg right over the leaping-head, that it 

 may not be struck by the horse's hind foot — and at the 

 same time take a firm grip of the up-pommel and the off- 

 side of the saddle, to avoid being unseated when he makes 

 his second plunge, which he will do the moment that he 

 recovers his footing. 



If the first run of the day be a good one, rest satisfied 

 with it, and do not attempt another, unless you have a 

 second horse out. If your mount should chance to lose a 

 shoe, especially a fore one, make at once for the nearest 

 forge. If one of the hind feet has sustained the loss, you 

 may continue the run, provided the going is over soft 

 ground — but when a fore shoe happens to go, pull off without 

 a moment's delay. I have always thought it an admirable 

 plan to carry a shoe, or slipper, slung on (in its neat leather 

 case) cavalry-wise, to the saddle. This, in case of accident, 

 obviates the necessity of waiting at the forge while the 

 smith manufactures one — and of course on arrival at 

 home it can readily be changed for a more durable foot- 



