26 HAND-BOOK FOR HORSEWOMEN. 



if her feet are cold, or she is tired, it will be easier 

 for her to drop both reins and to place her hands on 

 the shoulders of her assistant, who can steady her 

 arms with his hands. 



A lady may, of course, dismount without help by 

 keeping her right hand on the second pommel and 

 slipping down ; but she must be careful not to jerk 

 her horse's mouth with the reins, which she should 

 hold in her right hand. 



I strongly recommend teachers and parents to 

 insist that these exercises of mounting and dismount- 

 ing be practiced frequently, as their usefulness is 

 great. 



THE POSITION ON HORSEBACK. 



It has often surprised me to see the indifference 

 of parents to the manner in which children carry 

 themselves and manage their bodies and limbs, 

 whether standing, walking, or sitting. 



Although they have sometimes more than enough 

 of science, literature, and music, their physical cult- 

 ure has been neglected, so that they are not conscious 

 of the bad habits into which they have fallen, and 

 which become deeply rooted and almost second na- 

 ture. At last the riding-master is called upon to ren- 

 der graceful the bodies which have been allowed for 

 years to acquire ungraceful tricks. If a lady wishes 

 to ride really well, and to look well on her horse, she 

 must be supple and straight, without stiffness, as 

 rigidity precludes all idea of ease and elegance, to 



