IN TROD UCTION, 1 3 



For full dress, such as park-riding, no hat is so 

 distinguished as a plain high silk one ; but in the rid- 

 ing-house, or in the country, the low Derby shape, or 

 a soft felt, is now generally worn. If the shape is 

 stiff, it should be carefully fitted to the head, for 

 greater security and to avoid the risk of headache, 

 and in any case an elastic should hold it firmly in 

 place. Little girls usually wear their hair flowing 

 on their shoulders, which saves trouble ; but older 

 riders should braid it closely to the back of the head 

 below the hat, and pin it very securely, as the motion 

 of the horse is apt to shake it loose, and a teacher 

 can scarcely expect much attention from a pupil 

 whose hat vacillates on her head at every step, or 

 who is obliged to stop her horse in order to replace 

 rebellious hair-pins. 



It may be laid down as a rule that ornaments of 

 every kind, and even flowers, charming as they are 

 at other times when worn by a lady, are out of place 

 now that horsewomen have deigned to copy in their 

 dress the simplicity of the sterner sex. Rings are 

 especially to be avoided, as they are apt to cause the 

 fingers to swell, and thus hinder a firm grasp of the 

 reins. 



The best gloves are of thin, flexible dog-skin, 

 and they should be a size larger than those usually 

 worn, to allow the hand and wrist as much freedom 

 as possible. 



If a lady does not object to sacrificing appear- 

 ances, she will find great benefit from riding some- 



