91 



duous practice, to sit firmly and easily in 

 her saddle ; she may then change her reins 

 from one hand to the other, drop them on 

 the horse's withers, and take them up with 

 the right hand or the left, disposing of 

 them in the way already described. Facil- 

 ity in handling the reins, and in placing 

 them with precision and fineness of touch, 

 between the proper fingers, is of the utmost 

 importance to the horsewoman, and is an 

 accomplishment that will go far to insure 

 her safety on horseback. By perseverance 

 it will become as easy as knitting, or any 

 other movement of the hands, that is 

 mechanically performed. 



When a lady has learned to mount, and 

 been placed in the correct position on 

 horseback, she should be directed to ride 

 round the school or manege at a walk, and 

 until her seat has been fairly confirmed she 

 should have a snaffle bridle only, and hold 

 a rein in each hand. The exercises for 

 ladies should begin at " Walk, March," 

 (p. 39), and should be carried on in 

 accordance with the quotations from " The 

 Book of Aids," so far as they are applicable 

 to ladies. To obviate repetition, ladies and 

 instructors are referred to that portion of 

 the Guide. 



