CHAPTER XVIII. 



ladies' riding. 



written by a lady. 



learnina to ride — the sidesaddle — the girths— the stirrup — the bri- 

 dle—the martingale — the bit — the dress — mounting and dis- 

 mounting — the position — the hands — accidents. 



EvEKY lady should learn to ride ; not at a mature age, 

 when her frame has become exhausted by a sedentary life, 

 and consequent ill health ; nor even when, her school-days 

 being over, she is thought to have leisure for wholesome 

 exercise ; but in childhood, when her will is strong and 

 her body obedient to it. Particularl}^ in our large cities, 

 too little care is given to the physical culture of young 

 girls. Their minds are engaged, not often with energetic 

 mental work, but with idle thought for dress and show ; 

 while no other exercise is taken than a measured daily 

 walk, and occasional dancing and waltzing. 



Where household labor is disdained, and no opportu- 

 nity can be afforded for floriculture or any other agreeable 

 out-door occupation, there is no substitute so good as 

 horseback riding. But for the country girl it becomes 

 indispensable. Not her health, perhaps, but her happiness 

 demands it. No woman ever rides so well as one who 

 from childhood has loved her pet colt. She has chased 

 him, perhaps, for hours around a ^ ten-acre lot:' and when, 

 his frisky mood over, she has been able to take him coax- 

 ingly by the mane and lead him to a mounting place, great 

 was the triumph of her wild ride. And no training or 

 care can give the freedom and skill of this youthful prac- 

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