160 THE BARB AND THE BRIDLE. 



CHAPTER XIX. 



Having endeavoured to mark out the course of equitation from the 

 preparatory suppling practices to the orthodox conventionalities of 

 the hunting field, I conclude this series of papers with a few hints 

 which I trust will be useful to ladies about to proceed to India or 

 the colonies. 



In the first place, as regards riding habiliments, I recommend 

 ladies going to India to procure everything in the shape of habits, 

 trousers, and hats in this country. In India they cost a hundred 

 per cent, more than at home, and the natives can only make them 

 by pattern. Riding boots can be procured in the East quite as 

 well made and as durable as those made in England, and at a fifth 

 of the price. 



Saddlery should be taken out from England. It is also just a 

 hundred per cent, dearer in India. One good side-saddle, such as I 

 have previously described, will with care last a lady many years. 

 Of bridles she should take at least half a dozen double ones (bit and 

 bridoon). Horse clothing of any sort as used in England is not 

 required in India. 



As regards the horse itself on which the fair emigrant to the East 

 wiU take her health-preserving morning gallop at gim-fire, I must 

 say little. I have endeavoured elsewhere to give some idea of what 

 Arab horses are; and, as every lady going to India is certain to 

 know some male friend who is well up at buying a lady's horse, I 

 need only say that, if the animal purchased is a young unbroken 

 one, the best plan is to send him to the nearest cavalry or horse 

 artillery station, and have him broken precisely in the same form as 

 an officer's charger. The Arab dealers from whom the horse, if 

 unbroken, is most likely to be purchased, know nothing, and care 



