LADIES ON HORSEBACK 39 



bring the most trustworthy horse down at 

 times. 



If you have a sister or a daughter to teach 

 to ride it is a great point not to begin too early. 

 I am entirely at one with Mrs. O'Donoghue in 

 fixino- sixteen as the aoe at which oiHs should 

 begin to learn. Even then it is of great 

 importance that the lessons at first should be 

 short so as not to tire the pupil. It is when 

 girls are tired that they acquire bad habits, sit 

 with one shoulder forward, or ride on the 

 stirrup. I remember seeing a lady of a well- 

 known hunting family who habitually sat on the 

 near side of her saddle putting her whole weight 

 apparently on the stirrup. It was a fearful sight 

 and suggestive of sore backs in the stable. 

 I am bound to say I never saw this lady 

 come to grief, but then she was magnificently 

 mounted. 



The very first thing a girl should learn is to 

 ride fair and square in her saddle, and not to 

 hold on by the bridle. Young girls and begin- 

 ners should not be put on very big horses or 

 those with rough action. To trot well, easily 

 and gracefully, is a difficult thing for a woman, 

 and she can only learn it on a good hack. A 

 pony is all very well for a boy, but a girl wants 

 at least an animal of 14.2 to learn on. All 

 girls should have their first lessons in a school if 



