FIRST-HAND BITS OF STABLE LORE 



a touch of the rider's heel ; or its effect may 

 be transferred to a tap of the whip on the 

 off-shoulder, and the signal prove equally intel- 

 ligible after a little practice. Light colors (grays 

 or roans) are bad, because the hairs show on a 

 dark habit; and a horse with few white mark- 

 ings, or none, is also less conspicuous and more 

 " genteel." 



No horse is safe for a woman to ride unless he 

 will stand still and allow her to mount from the 

 ground without assistance ; and no woman should 

 ever be allowed to ride alone until she can per- 

 form this very simple feat ; can put on, or read- 

 just, her own saddle and bridle, and know when 

 others have placed and fitted them properly. As 

 she aspires to be independent, so must she be 

 prepared, in every way, to take care of herself; 

 and upon the heads of her male relatives be it if 

 she is not properly instructed and taught how to 

 perform the simple duties needed. Every horse 

 shrinks after an hour or so at exercise, and the 

 saddle may turn at any moment in consequence, 

 thereby endangering others, possibly, as well as the 

 rider. An ounce of prevention is most valuable 

 here, and the equestrienne should know how to re- 

 girth and arrange her saddle if necessity arises. 



198 



