26 HOW WOMEN SHOULD RIDE 



support, by practising without it every 

 time she rides, taking care that, in relin- 

 quishing that aid, she does not instead 

 take hold of the horse's mouth. 



As the most trustworthy mount will 

 at times be frisky or make a mistake, a 



child should be prepared for 

 Management 



such a contingency, and know 



how to meet it. If a horse stumbles, she 

 must sit well back and pull his head up. 

 In rearing, the reins must be left loose 

 and the body thrown forward. A ten- 

 dency to back must be met with a sharp 

 crack of the whip. In shying, she must 

 try to sit close, and in case of a runaway 

 she should understand that no good will 

 come of throwing herself off. To stick 

 close and try to direct him is all she 

 can do, for she cannot hope to stop him 

 when once started. If a horse falls with 

 her, it is best to try and hold on to the 

 reins, as then he cannot reach her with 



