52 AIDS AND DEFENCES. 



rises, slacken the reins, but retain her usual position 

 on the saddle, if he rear high, she must necessarily 

 be thrown off her balance ; and then, if she hang on 

 the bit, in order to save herself from falling, there is 

 great danger of her pulling the horse backward. 



The aids and defences of the body are numerous : 

 we shall attempt to describe a few of them ; the residue 

 must be acquired by practice, and the lady's own 

 observation. When the rider indicates by her hand 

 that she wishes the horse to advance, the body should 

 be inclined forward in a slight degree ; and the left 

 leg (with the whip, also, if the animal be sluggish, or 

 not well trained) pressed to his side. Should she, b}'^ 

 pulling the rein towards her, or turning the wrist in the 

 manner we have before directed, communicate her 

 desire to stop, her body ought, at the same time, to 

 be thrown back, with gentleness, or otherwise, in pro- 

 portion to the severity of the action of the hand 

 against the horse's inclination to increase his speed 

 contrary to the will of his rider, or when he leaps, 

 kicks, or plunges. If a horse rear, the rider should 

 lean forward more than in the aid for the advance : 

 but care must be taken, in this case, to perform the 

 defence with discretion, especially with a pony, or 

 galloway; for, should the animal rise suddenly, and 

 the rider throw herself abruptly forward, it is not 

 improbable that he might give her a violent blow on 

 the face with the top of his head. 



