LADIES' HORSEMANSHIP 141 



lady's horse. He should be naturally bold and fearless, and 

 from being properly educated, should not know fright ; for 

 as ladies are naturally more easily alarmed than men, so in 

 proportion should their horses be bolder, for if both get 

 alarmed, the danger is imminent. Many ladies would fear 

 to be put on a high-couraged horse. Fair ones, your fears 

 are misapplied. High courage, in man or horse, is your 

 best safeguard, and will induce both to bend with cheer- 

 fulness to your slightest will ; while tbe timid, actuated by 

 fear, seeks his own safety, nor heeds the danger of his fair 

 mistress. 



Some masters teach their lady-scholars to ride on either 

 side of the horse, and recommend to have the pommel of 

 the saddle made very low, that the knee may not be thrown 

 too high ; and also that the pommel be made with a screw, 

 to be taken off in case of a lady wishing to change sides 

 on any particular account. Ladies' riding shoes should be 

 always straight-soled, as, in case of accident, there is the 

 risk of the foot hanging in the stirrup, when the sole, 

 according to the old fashion, is hollow next the heel. A 

 lady's horse should be particularly accustomed to walk off 

 quietly ; and with respect to his improvement in that pace, 

 it is accomplished by touching him gently with the whip. 



" Harry Hieover " has some pertinent though diffuse 

 remarks in his " Hints on Educating Horses," from which 

 we select some relating to the training of a lady's horse. 



Although by no means advocating a riding-school educa- 

 tion for a hunting man or a hunting horse, yet it is the 

 only place where a lady's horse can be properly made. 

 There is a peculiar style of going that is only to be acquired 

 " here " — a handiness that cannot be taught on the road ; 

 turning safel}^ and easily cannot be learned elsewhere. 

 Changing voluntarily the leading leg, so indispensable for 

 this horse, must be practised by the figure of eight, to 

 perfect him in it ; and till he is perfect in this, he cannot 

 carry a lady safely. She will find it necessary, if riding in 

 crowds, to turn her horse often suddenly, to avoid coming 

 in contact with different objects. Suppose a horse going a 

 quick canter, leading with the right leg, something coming 

 suddenly up may oblige his rider to turn quickly to the left. 

 If the horse does not change his leg, it is an even chance 

 whether he does or does not let his legs interfere, and come 

 on his head. Here he may be taught that quite necessary 



