156 HOW WOMEN SHOULD RIDE 



die begins to turn. In such an emer- 

 gency the horse's mane should be firm- 

 ly grasped and the foot taken out of 

 the stirrup. The horse should be quiet- 

 ed and stopped, if he is not too much 

 startled by the turning saddle. With a 

 breast-plate it will probably not turn all 

 the way, and her hold of the mane will 

 enable a woman to keep her head up 

 until some one comes to the rescue. 



It will probably be a long time before 

 such a variety of contingencies as I have 

 mentioned will happen to any one rider. 

 A well -mounted woman may jump a 

 great deal and escape with only a few 

 tumbles. If she perseveres, there will 

 be so many delightful experiences to 

 counterbalance each mishap that she will 

 gladly risk the consequences of indulg- 

 ing in a sport which, to so great an 

 extent as leaping, develops her nerve, 

 skill, and self-possession. 



