92 HORSEMANSHIP FOR WOMEN. 



pared for a ride, take time to look your horse over swift- 

 ly, but keenly, noting first that his eye and general ap- 

 pearance indicate good health and spirits; secondly, that 

 he has been thoroughly groomed, his mane freed from 

 dandruff, his hoofs washed, but not blacked ; thirdly, 

 that the .saddle and bridle are perfectly clean and prop- 

 erly put on. Every buckle should have been undone 

 and cleansed, the leather suppled, and the bright metal 

 polished; the girths, three in number — never fewer 

 than two — should be snug, but not tight enough to im- 

 pede free breathing; the bits in their proper place, that 

 is to say, the snaffle just high enough up not to wrinkle 

 the corners of the mouth, and the curb considerably 

 lower, with its chain, which should pass below the snaf- 

 fle, lying flat and smooth against the skin in the chin 

 groove ; finally, the throat-latch loose. While it is not 

 always wise to reprimand carelessness on the part of 

 your groom on the spot, it is well never to let it pass 

 unnoticed, while, on the other hand, it is a good plan 

 always to show appreciation of especial attention to 

 your wishes by a kind word or a smile. 



MOUNTING. 



It is rather a trying ordeal for an inexperienced rider 

 to mount a tall horse from the ground, even when there 

 are no lookers-on, and many a one remains in bondage 

 to chairs and horse-blocks all her life long rather than 

 undertake it. The feat, however, is really so much ea- 



