THE HORSE. 185 



in case of a necessity of the lady changing sides, on 

 any particular account. Ladies' riding shoes should 

 always be straight soled, as in case of accident, there 

 is the risk of the foot hanging in the stirrup when the 

 sole, according to the old fashion, is hollow next the 

 heel. A female, as well as a male rider, should hold 

 the reins moderately slack, that a sufficient purchase 

 may be retained. This caution, however, is entirely 

 slighted by an excellent horseman, a gentleman un- 

 known to me, whom I frequently see passing through 

 Kentish Town, upon a chesnut nag, the most grace- 

 ful, the steadiest, and apparently one of the most safe 

 canterers, that I have ever seen ; the reins are always 

 thrown loose upon his horse's neck. A lady's pad 

 should particularly be accustomed to walk off quietly ; 

 and with respect to his improvement in that pace, it 

 is accomplished by touching him gently behind with 

 the whip, at frequent intervals, at which I have 

 known ladies very expert. 



The dismount. In case a lady who may have 

 reasons for not sporting her agility, should have to 

 dismount with the assistance of only one person to 

 hold her horse, steps or a chair, are sine quels non. 

 Otherwise, a lady springs from her seat, and should 

 her pad, so often the case, be upwards of fifteen 

 hands in height, she has a good j ump to make, and 

 I have, now and then, heard of a strained ankle, as 

 the consequence ; a man, it may be observed, dis- 

 mounts in a much more favourable mode. Having 

 an assistant, the lady gives him her left hand, sup- 

 porting herself by that hold, and by the crutch of the 

 saddle with the other as she alights. Her preliminary 



