^28 LADIES ON HOESEBACK. 



equestriennes riding gravely upon their horses' 

 heads I would not suggest the rationality 

 of transferring their weight to the saddle. 

 And this theory is a good one, or at least a 

 wise one ; for humanity is so inordinately 

 conceited that it will never take a hint kindly, 

 unless asked for ; and not always even then. 



To sit erect upon your saddle is a point of 

 great importance ; if you acquire a habit of 

 stooping it will grow upon you, and it is not 

 only a great disfigurement, but not unfre- 

 quently a cause of serious accident, for if 

 your horse suddenly throws up his head, he 

 hits you upon the nose, and deprives you of 

 more blood than you may be able to replace 

 in a good while. 



As soon as you can feel yourself quite at 

 home upon your mount, and have become 

 accustomed to its walking motion, your 

 attendant will urge him into a gentle trot. 

 And now prepare yourself for the beginning 

 of sorrows. Your first sensation will be that 

 of being shaken to pieces. You are, of course, 

 yet quite ignorant of the art of rising in 

 your saddle, and the trot of the horse fairly 



