130 



HORSEMANSHIP FOE WOMEN. 



the reins and person ; and after the leap do not fail to 

 reward him by praises and caresses, for it cannot be too 

 deeply impressed on the mind that he is exceedingly 

 sensitive to them, and will consider them an ample re- 

 ward for his exertion. 



The object of these instructions being to enable a lady 

 to master the art of leaping without a regular instructor, 

 it will not be amiss to sum up the advice already given 

 at length, in the words of two competent authorities, 

 " Yieille Moustache" and Mr, Sidney. The former says : 



"She should take a firm hold of the upper crutch of 

 the saddle with the right knee, sit well into the saddle — 

 not back of it, because the farther back the greater the 

 concussion when the horse alights — put her left foot 

 well home in the stirrup, and press her left thigh firmly 

 against the third crutch, while keeping the left knee 

 flexible; lean slightly forward, avoid stiffening her 

 waist, in order to throw the upper part of her figure 

 backward at the right moment to preserve her balance. 

 The hands must not move except with the body, and 

 above all no attempt to enliven the horse by jagging 

 his mouth as he is about to rise — a pernicious habit, 

 practised by riders of both sexes who ought to know 

 better. Reins too short, head too forward, and pace too 

 violent are the ordinary faults of beginners. Women 

 have on their saddles a firmer seat for leaping than 

 men." 



Mr, Sidney remarks: "A sheep hurdle is quite high 



