PREFACE. V 



side-saddle and for a short time ride the sev- 

 eral gaits of his horse, he will have many points 

 presented which he had not anticipated, and 

 which may puzzle him ; that which appeared 

 simple and easy when in his natural position 

 will become difficult of performance when he 

 assumes the role of a horsewoman. A trial of 

 this kind will demonstrate to him that the rules 

 applicable to the one will not invariably be 

 adapted to the other. The reader need not be 

 surprised, therefore, if in the perusal of this 

 volume she discovers in certain instances in- 

 structions laid down which differ from those 

 met with in the popular works upon this subject 

 by male authors. 



Another inducement to prepare this volume 

 existed in the fact that the ladies throuc^hout 

 the country, and especially in our large cities 

 and towns, are apparently awakening to an 

 appreciation of the importance of out - door 

 amusement and exercise in securing and pro- 

 longing health, strength, beauty, and symmetry 

 of form, and that horseback riding is rapidly be- 

 coming the favorite form of such exercise. In- 

 structions relating to riding have become, there- 

 fore, imperative, in order to supply a need long 

 felt by those horsewomen who, when in the 

 saddle, are desirous of acquitting themselves 



