i83 



and mud-bespattered from the splashes of the horse's 

 feet ; but with the present habit a lady can hunt al- 

 most for an entire day without getting- a spot of 

 mud thereon. There is also less risk of the skirt 

 getting entangled in fences and other obstacles which 

 is a very great advantage to ladies. Whilst silk hats 

 are probably more stylish than felt hats, a good deal 

 can be said in advocacy of the latter ; they are light 

 and comfortable, and, after all, these are the primary 

 conditions which should be regarded, though in many 

 cases, it is to be feared, they receive only scanty 

 consideration. 



THE SIZE OF ladies' HORSES. 



The breeding and height of a lady's horse should 

 be regulated according to the rider's weight and pro- 

 portions. If of an average weight and height (it would 

 be hazardous to use figures) a horse from fourteen 

 hands three inches to fifteen hands two inches high 

 will generally be suitable if he is thoroughbred ; but 

 if he is only three-parts bred a horse of fifteen hands 

 is high enough. The latter at that height will be quite 

 a match to the former as a weight -carrier. He 

 should be in possession of all the points of a well- 

 made hunter, the details of which will be given in 

 a later chapter exclusively devoted to hunters. 



HOW TO " MOUTH " A LADY'S HORSE. 



In training a colt intended for a lady the side reins 

 should be crossed in front of his chest and drawn 



