144 ^^^ Noblest Friend, The Horse 



There is no possible or conceivable excuse for 

 holding the reins in the left hand — or any one hand. 

 You will need both and wish for two or three more 

 if you ride regularly, and nothing keeps your seat 

 so square as riding with reins in each hand. You 

 do not belong to the militia cavalry, nor are you one- 

 armed ; therefore, ride in the civilian fashion, and do 

 not be led away by any theories to the contrary. 

 If you dO' ride one-handed you are absolutely sure 

 to advance one shoulder and to sit crookedly, as 

 soon as your muscles tire — and remember that this 

 destroys your appearance, and also carefully re- 

 member that if you look well you will always be 

 held to ride well — if the reverse, you may be a 

 very centaur, but will never obtain credit for your 

 accomplishment. 



Bend your right heel back close to your left shin, 

 and let your left heel be always exactly beneath you, 

 so that your stirrup-leather hangs straight down. If 

 you poke out your left foot, you must stick out your 

 right, and no fault is worse. Some women project 

 the right away out beyond a horse's shoulder-blade, 



