Use of Gymnastics. 319. 



examples of strong and graceful horsewomen whose first lessons were taken at the cavalry- 

 stations of the Indian army after marriage. 



In dealing one by one with these six conditions for training a young ainazonc, it may be 

 assumed that a girl who is constitutionally timid and nervous when in an average state of 

 health should never be permitted to mount on horseback at all. 



As to the preparatory physical training which is required for those young ladies who have 

 not had the advantage of the athletic out-door exercises which are open to their sex, their best 

 preparation will be found in the gymnastics referred to at page 273 as likely to be of use to 

 adult men pupils. 



The recommendation of preparatory exercises for male applies with tenfold force to female 

 pupils. In Madame Brenner's book, already quoted, a series of exercises are described, fitted 

 to the physical capacities of mere infants and of full-grown girls, which it is not necessary to 

 repeat in detail ; but the following extracts, giving a good idea of the principles on which this 

 physical training is conducted, are due to the importance of the subject : — 



"The first exercise is with the elastic india-rubber chest-expander. 



"The movements in connection with the chest-expander are always necessary. They may be hkened to the 

 scale practice of the pianoforte. They should never be neglected, but should stand at the beginning of each 

 morning's work. 



"No pupil can with comfort or success engage in exercises more elaborate and more complicated, until the 

 body and limbs, by being progressively luarmed and relaxed, are rendered pliablei" 



The length of time during which this exercise should be practised must depend on the 

 constitution of the pupil. " Ten minutes is the extreme limit ; but no exercise should be 

 carried on to the point of fatigue. At first the chest-expander exercise should be only used 

 once a week ; in the second or third week, twice a week ; and so on increasingly, until limbs 

 and joints gain the suppleness desired, which enables the pupil to perform this and other 

 exercises not only without fatigue, but with freedom and pleasure." " I watch," says Madame 

 Brenner, " the faces of those I instruct, and whenever I notice an expression of weariness in 

 the features, I direct the pupil to desist." 



This is a bit of sound advice, which teachers of equestrianism, professional or amateur, 

 would do well to bear in mind. Too often the pupil or the pupil's parent is inclined to insist 

 on the full hour's lesson for which she has paid. 



In treating of another series of exercises, the same writer lays down, in the following 

 passage, the principles which it is the aim of an equestrian teacher to impart, and which can 

 evidently be best imparted by preparing delicate girls for horse exercise by suitable gymnastic 

 exercises : — 



"The special advantage of the wand exercise is found in the vigorous and healthy action of the muscles 

 connected with the chest, arms, and shoulders j there comes from it that compelled steadiness of the lower limbs 

 which is so important a feature in the physical education of women." 



In the same line, exercises with dumb-bells, "weighing not more than from five ounces to 

 twenty-one ounces the pair," strengtiien the vmsdes of the back as well as of the arms. Throiving 

 the whole of the upper frame into healthy and exhilarating movement, it is one of the best aids to 

 round the arms and develop the chest. " From its compulsory detail of a firm position of the 

 lower half of the body while the upper half is actively employed, this exercise compels, in a 

 remarkable degree, that steadiness and equal balance of frame which it is the business of 

 gymnastics (read horse exercise) to induce." 



