THE BARB AND THE BRIDLE. 35 



In the early lessons given (the instructor being on horseback), it 

 is necessary that the latter should be close enough to the pupil's 

 horse on the off side to be able at any moment to place the hands of 

 the learner, to check any exuberant action of the horse by laying the 

 left hand firmly upon the reins ; and in the first essays made by the 

 pupil in the trotting lesson, to assist her by the left hand of the 

 instructor placed under the right elbow of the beginner. 



And finally, should any necessity arise during a ride for dis- 

 mounting the pupil, a lady instructor labours under this difficulty, 

 that having dismounted herself, and both pupil and teacher being on 

 the ground, the act of mounting again by two ladies, unattended by 

 a man, is one of considerable difficulty and possible danger. 



From the very necessity of her position in the saddle, a lady 

 teaching another cannot, without inconvenience to both legs (the left 

 especially), approach near enough to her pupil's horse to assist the 

 latter with her left hand, because her left leg is always in danger of 

 coming in contact with the other horse ; while on a windy day the 

 skirt of her habit is likely enough to be blown into his flank, and 

 thereby make him unsteady. Not long since I saw two ladies who 

 were riding, unattended by a man, in a very awkward predicament. 

 Both are practised riders, possessing capital seats and hands, and are 

 equal to any contingency likely to occur as long as they are in the 

 saddle ; nay, one of the ladies is, I beUeve, the most accomplished 

 horsewoman I ever saw. Her seat is both fine and graceful to a 

 degree ; her hands perfection, her nerve first-rate, and her experience 

 in riding even difficult horses with hounds considerable. This lady 

 was the elder of the two ; her companion was considerably younger, 

 but although a very accomplished rider, she lacked the experience of 

 her friend. Something had gone amiss -with the younger lady's 

 saddle, and both ladies dismounted to arrange it. The elder was 

 quite equal to this, for I have seen her many times saddle and bridle 

 her own horse, and with one that would stand quietly (being herself 

 exceedingly supple and active), she can put her hands on the upper 

 pommel and vault into the saddle without any assistance. But in 

 the case I allude to she was completely fixed. Her horse was a 

 chesnut thoroughbred, only four years old ; and, although, despite 



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