LADIES MOUNTING AND DISMOUNTING. 71 



way to settle the question is to ask the lady on which side 

 she prefers you to ride, as some, I know, admitting the 

 greater security of the left, still like their companion on 

 the right. 



And now a few words on the subject of road-riding, 

 dismounting, and we will suppose our pupil to have 

 attained a fair proficiency as an equestrienne. 



Ladies, do not ride your horses too hard; recollect they 

 have legs and wind-works to be injured, and they afford 

 you so much pleasure you must give a little thought to 

 their welfare. I know how delightful a light canter or 

 gallop is, and the longer you can keep it up the greater 

 the pleasure, at least until you become fatigued : but your 

 horse will come to that sooner than you, having the weight 

 to carry; therefore think of him. Half a mile is enough 

 at any one time for an extended gallop, then ease him up 

 to a slow trot and to a walk for a quarter, then trot a 

 quarter, and, if disposed, now you may gallop another 

 half-mile. By so changing his gait he is very much re- 

 lieved, and can carry you a much greater distance with 

 less fatigue than if kept at one gait for a length of time; 

 the change at the same time will be a relief to you. When 

 you desire to start him in the gallop, touch him behind 

 with your whip, raise him on the curb, speaking to him 

 to go at same time. The same general rules for ladies in 

 regard to the use of bridle as gentlemen. Now, if our 

 fair reader is satisfied with her ride, we will return and 

 dismount, being very particular to walk our horses for the 

 last half-mile or mile, if agreeable, before reaching home. 



2d. To Dismount. Horse stopped; reins changed from 

 left to right, she holding them at the end to be dropped 

 as she alights; foot out of stirrup, and leg over or off 

 pommel. Gentleman off his horse, and his horse four 

 feet from the lady's, headed towards hers, for fear he 



