296 LADIES' RIDING. 



It may be liglitlj made, and finished witL delicate orna- 

 ment, and often becomes a gem in the lady^s costume. It 

 is needed not so much to punish the horse or to animate 

 bim, as to control his movements by its pressure against 

 his flank, as the gentleman controls his horse by a pres- 

 sure with his right leg. 



The Dress. — " Few ladies know how to dress for horse 

 exercise, although there has been a great improvement, so 

 far as taste is concerned, of late years. As to the head- 

 dress, it may be whatever is in fashion, provided it fits the 

 head so as not to require continual adjustment, often needed 

 when the hands would be better employed with the reins 

 and whip. It should shade from the sun, and, if used in 

 hunting, protect the nape of the neck from rain. The re- 

 cent fashions of wearing the plumes or feathers of the 

 ostrich, the cock, the pheasant, the peacock, and the king- 

 fisher, in the riding hats of young ladies, are highly to 

 be commended. 



The hair should be arranged in the firmest manner pos- 

 sible. If suited to the style of the lady, it may be plaited at 

 the back and looped across, in a manner which will support 

 the hat and present a very comely appearance. Or it may 

 be found pleasanter to turn all of the back hair to the top 

 of the head, where a high hat is used. All loose arrange- 

 ments of the hair, except short curls, when they are natural, 

 should be avoided. But few hair-pins should be used, and 

 those long and firmly woven into the hair. 



Ladies' habits are usually made too long ; if the extra 

 length be turned to a heavy hem at the bottom, it will be 

 found much more likely to stay well down over the feet, 

 which is all that is required ; weights are unnecessary and 

 cumbersome. A foot longer than an ordinary skirt will be 

 found sufficient, if the material be suitable. Liglit cloth 

 will be found the most appropriate for the skirt, if the coloi 



