116 HORSEMANSHIP FOR WOMEN. 



There are two or three more practical suggestions 

 which may not be out of place here. The first and 

 most important is that it is exceedingly dangerous to 

 let a horse stand in a draught of air, or in a cool place, 

 or eat or drink, when heated. In ten minutes he may 

 be so crippled that he will never take a free step again. 

 Ferry-boats are notoriously bad places, and a horse 

 should never be taken on to them till quite cool. It is 

 not well to let your horse crop the leaves or grass, as 

 kind-hearted riders permit him to do sometimes, for it 

 soils his lips and bits, giving him a slovenly air, and you 

 run the risk besides of his wiping them on your habit 

 before you part from him. Avoid letting your horse 

 drink unless he really would be better for the refresh- 

 ment, as lie can hardly do so without wetting the curb- 

 reins, making them stiff and dirty- looking. 



THE GROOM. 



The costume of the groom is too well known to re- 

 quire remark further than that it should be scrupulously 

 neat. In the country, top-boots, etc., are by no means 

 de rigueur, and under many circumstances would savor 

 more of pretence than of real gentility. The groom 

 ought to be mounted on a strong and able horse, which, 

 if unused to the saddle, lie should train at least so far 

 that he can with one hand, by the aid of his legs, force 

 it to take and keep any position. When accompanying 

 inexperienced riders his horse should be able to over- 



