^202— > 



the oirons, that it requires as great an effort of the home to dia< 

 lodge a good female rider as to produce the same effect upon a 

 gentleman. Even with the old single crutch there was a good 

 hold with the leg, but now that the third is added, the grip is 

 really a firm one. When this is not used the crutch is laid hold 

 of by the right leg and pinched between the calf of the leg and 

 the thigh, so as to afford a firm and steady hold for the whole 

 body, especially when aided by the stirrups. But this latter 

 support merely preserves the balance, and is useful also in 

 trotting. It does not at all give a firm, steady seat, though it 

 adds to one already obtained by the knee. When two crutches 

 are used, the leg is brought baclc so far as to grasp the crutch as 

 before, but between the two knees the two crutches are firmly 

 laid hold of, the upper one being under the right knee and the 

 lower one above the left. The right knee hooked over the 

 crutch keeps the body from slipping backwards, while the left 

 keeps it from a forward motion, and thus the proper position is 

 maintained. In all cases the right foot should be kept back and 

 the point of the toe should scarcely be visible. These points 

 should be carefully kept in view by all lady riders, and they 

 should learn as soon as possible to steady themselves by the 

 grasp of the crutches without reference to the stirrup-iron. In 

 spite of her side seat, the body should be square to the front, 

 with the elbow easily bent and preserved in its propper position 

 by the same precaution. The whip is generally held in the right 

 hand, with the lash pointing forward and towards the left, and 

 by this position it may be used on any part of the horse's body 

 by reaching over to the left and cutting before or behind the 

 saddle, or, with great ease, on the right side. Its use may, there- 

 fore, in all cases be substituted for the pressure of the leg in the 

 description of the modes of effecting the change of leg, turning 

 to the left or right, or leading with either leg. With this substi- 

 tution, and with the caution against all violent attempts at 

 coercion, which are better carried out by the fine hand and 

 delicate tact of the lady, all the feats which man can perform 

 may well be imitated by her. In dismounting, the horse is 

 brought to a dead stop, and his head held by an assistant. The 

 lady then turns her knee back again from the position between 

 the outside crutch, takes her foot out of the stirrup, and sita 

 wmpletely sideways. She then puts her left hand on the 



