38 HOW WOMEN SHOULD RIDE 



pommel and turn slightly, so that as she 

 lands she is facing the horse, ready to 

 notice and guard against signs of kick- 

 ing or bolting. Until she is fairly on 

 the ground she must not let go of the 

 reins or the pommel, for should the 

 horse start she might be dragged with 

 her head down, if her skirt or her foot 

 caught, and without the reins she could 

 not stop him. 



It is well to discard the stirrup for 



some time during each ride, first at the 



canter, then at the trot, to make 



Stirrup 



sure that too much weight is not 

 rested on this support, and that the rise 

 is from the right knee. If too much de- 

 pendence is placed on the stirrup the 

 seat is sure to be too far to the left, 

 unless the leather is too short, when 

 the body will be as much too far to the 

 right, instead of directly on top of the 

 horse. 



