LADIES, HOW TO BE TAUGHT. 115 



noticed the performances of Amazones in London, or 

 at Brighton, must have in remembrance the many 

 examples of ladies who, with great courage, sit in a 

 manner that is at once fearful and ridiculous to behold ; 

 entirely dependent on the good behaviour of horses, 

 Avliich they, in reality, have no power of turning, and 

 scarcely of stopping. 



Little girls who learn their first lessons by riding with 

 papa, who is either absorbed in other business, or him- 

 self a novice in the art of horsemanship, get into poky 

 habits, which it is extremely difficult to eradicate when 

 they reach the age when every real woman wishes to be 

 admired. 



Therefore, let everyone interested in the horsemanship 

 of a young lady commence by placing her, as early as 

 possible, under the tuition of a competent professional 

 riding-master, unless he knows enough to teach her 

 himself There are many riding-schools where a fair 

 seat is acquired by the lady pupils, but in London, at 

 any rate, only two or three where they learn to use 

 the reins, so as to control an unruly horse. 



Both sexes are apt to acquire the habit of holding on 

 by the bridle. To avoid this grave error, the first les- 

 sons in walking and cantering should be given to the 

 pupil on a led horse, w^ithout taking hold of the bridle ; 

 and this should be repeated in learning to leap. The 

 horsemanship of a lady is not complete until she has 

 learned to leap, whether she intends to ride farming or 

 hunting, or to confine herself to Eotten Row canters ; 

 for horses will leap and bound at times without per- 

 mission. 



I have high authority for recommending lessons with- 

 out holding the bridle. Lady Mildred H , one of the 



most accomplished horsewomen of the day, taught hei* 



