possible.

A lady should also habitually prevent her horse out-walking, or lagging behind her companions, she is either very unsociable, or a bad horsewoman, who does not keep abreast of them.

A lady, although advised to ride in general on the curb bridle, should occasionally use both hands to the reins. It assists in obtaining a firm seat, by giving greater power and command over the horse; it prevents the strain on the left arm, which is the natural result of holding a horse entirely with one hand, it makes the pressure upon the animal’s mouth more even, which is so truly essential to the comfort of both horse and rider, it keeps the shoulders square, a very important point in the elegance of a young lady’s appearance, it causes the elbows to be even on either side instead of one being infinitely in the rear of the other, as is too often the case, and though last not least, it keeps the whip quiet until its use is called for.

There is a piece of inhumanity practised, as much, perhaps more by ladies than by gentlemen, it is, riding a horse fast on hard ground. If the ground be hard and even, a collected canter may be allowed, but one hour’s gallop on hard and uneven ground, would do the soundest horse irremediable injury, his sinews would be strained, his joints prematurely stiffened, fever in the feet would be produced, and the horse would be deprived at once, and for ever, of his elasticity and action, and be brought prematurely a cripple to the grave.

DISMOUNTING.

The first operation preparatory to dismounting is, to bring the horse to an easy yet perfect stop.

If the lady be light, and dexterous, she may dismount without assistance.

The lady when preparing to dismount, should take the reins in her right hand, and put the whip in her left. The reins should be held sufficiently tight, to restrain the horse from advancing; and yet not so firmly, as to cause him to back, rear, or swerve.

The lady should next disengage her right leg from the pommel clearing her dress as she raises her knee; place her right hand on the near crutch, and take her foot out of the stirrup.

If the lady be assisted, the gentleman taking her left hand in his left, places his right hand under her left elbow, which she keeps firm to her side; as she springs, he supports her in her descent, she retains hold of the crutch or of the hunting pommel; as she quits the saddle, she turns to face the gentleman, who stands near the horse’s shoulder, and alights on the ground on the balls of her feet.

If the lady dismount without assistance, after clearing her foot from the stirrup, she places her right hand on the near crutch, and her left upon the third crutch or hunting pommel, she must spring clear from the saddle facing towards the horse’s side as she descends. By whatever mode the lady dismount, she should, to prevent an unpleasant shock on reaching the ground bend her knees, suffer her body to be perfectly pliant, and alight upon the balls of her feet; she is not to relinquish her hold, nor the gentleman to withdraw his support, until she be perfectly safe on the ground.