90 HORSEMANSHIP FOR WOMEN. 



of the skirt, and particularly the facing, should be made 

 so as certainly to tear loose instantly in case of getting 

 caught in a fall. Before leaving the habit, we may re- 

 mark that the wearer should practise gathering it up, 

 holding it in one hand, and walking in it at home, and 

 if possible before a mirror. No petticoats ought to be 

 worn, but merino drawers, and easy trousers of the same 

 stuff as the rest of the habit. Beware of badly made 

 seams, which have a vexatious way, as many a masculine 

 wearer can testify, of pinching out a bit of skin at some 

 inopportune moment. The trousers should be cut away 

 a little over the instep, and fastened down under the 

 sole with straps, which may be either sewed on or at- 

 tached by buttons inside the band, in which case india- 

 rubber is the best material, being easy alike on buttons, 

 stuff, and lingers. Corsets should be worn as usual, but 

 never laced tight, and it would be better that they 

 should not have steel clasps or steel springs, which 

 might be dangerous in case of a fall. The boots should 

 be easy, broad-soled, low-heeled, and rather laced than 

 buttoned, as less likely on the one hand to catch in the 

 stirrup, and on the other to bruise the foot by chafing 

 against the saddle. The gloves should be strong, but 

 supple and easy, as it is important that every finger 

 should have free and independent movement. Tight 

 gloves not only benumb the hands in cold weather, but 

 always cause an awkward handling of the reins, and 

 may be positively dangerous with a fresh horse. As to 



