226 LADIES ON HOESEBACK. 



weight of ladies ? '* This is a difficult query, 

 but as ladies ride at all weights between six 

 and eleven stone, with a margin each way, I 

 should suppose the average would be about 

 8J stone, exclusive of saddle, &c. A lady who 

 is an indifferent rider would throw more weight 

 on one side than the other, one cause of so 

 many sore backs from side-saddles ; but a 

 thoroughly good horsewoman would sit with 

 as level a balance as a man. The weight of 

 good modern side-saddles is much reduced, 

 but they cannot well be made under 141b., 

 with furniture, and are usually considerably 

 more. If the Empress of Austria uses a 

 saddle of 8 lb. only (as some have averred), 

 she must ride on a man's steeplechase-saddle, 

 which perhaps would not be a difficult perform- 

 ance for a lady who is said to be in the habit 

 of driving four-in-hand. 



I am much impressed by the recital of 

 your contributor's adventures and hair-breadth 

 escapes on the saddle, particularly on the 

 occasion she refers to when invited by a 

 friend to ride the big bay horse. If the 

 friend was a gentleman, I must repeat the 



