290 LADIES ON HORSEBACK. 



often get such poor instructors. Many oi 

 those who call themselves riding masters are 

 little Letter than grooms, and the people who 

 offer to turn out accomplished horsewomen in 

 twelve easy lessons for £2 2s. must know that, 

 except in a few cases of natural special aptitude, 

 they cannot do much more than teach a lady 

 how to avoid tumbling too quickly out of the 

 saddle. On the other hand, a lady who has 

 heen through a full course of instruction from 

 a good master, has little to learn except those 

 matters of detail which experience alone can 

 teach ; but far better than any professional 

 instruction is that constant and careful super- 

 vision from a good horseman, such as Mrs. 

 Power O'Donoghue and '* The Ladybird" 

 ]nentioned in a late issue, one who will not 

 be afraid of being called a '' bother " when he 

 points out and corrects every fault, however 

 small. I consider, sir, that you have given 

 good advice to ladies when you say, ** I think 

 a lady should wear a spur," though she may 

 not often find it necessary to use it. In your 

 last issue two experienced ladies give their 

 opinions on this subject; one disapproves oi 



