l8 HAND-BOOK FOR HORSEWOMEN. 



are difficult to master, especially for beginners. I 

 am aware that this opinion is contrary to that usu- 

 ally held both here and in Europe, as it certainly is 

 to the teaching of Mr. Baucher. Yet, as it is the 

 final result of many years of experience, I venture 

 to submit it to the public, although I can hardly 

 hope that it will win general assent. It may be 

 necessary to add that success with the snaffle pre- 

 supposes a fine seat and some experience, as tact and 

 skill must replace the loss of leverage. I consider 

 the " Baucher " snaffle the best, as the bars on either 

 side prevent it from slipping into the horse's mouth 

 under a strong lateral pressure. 



Almost all riding-teachers have been educated 

 in the army, where the reins must be held in the 

 left hand, to leave the right free for the saber, and 

 they continue to teach as they were taught, with- 

 out considering that in civil life the right hand is 

 practically unoccupied. When the horse is moving 

 in a straight line, it is easy to gather the reins into 

 one hand ; but when the rider wishes to turn him to 

 the right or left, or make him give to the bit, two 

 hands are just twice as good as one, and I can see 

 no reason for always riding with the reins in one 

 hand. 



I have been often asked at what age a little girl 

 should begin to ride, and I should suggest eight 

 years as a reasonable time. If a child begins thus 

 early, it is as well that she should take her first half- 

 dozen lessons in her jacket and trousers, as the cor- 



