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+Project Gutenberg's The Young Lady's Equestrian Manual, by Anonymous
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+Title: The Young Lady's Equestrian Manual
+
+Author: Anonymous
+
+Release Date: June 26, 2009 [EBook #29248]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ASCII
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE YOUNG LADY'S EQUESTRIAN MANUAL ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Julia Miller and the Online Distributed
+Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was
+produced from images generously made available by The
+Internet Archive/American Libraries.)
+
+
+
+
+
+Transcriber's Note
+
+Obvious typographical errors have been corrected. A list of corrections
+is found at the end of the text.
+
+
+
+
+THE YOUNG LADY'S EQUESTRIAN MANUAL.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration: THE YOUNG LADY'S EQUESTRIAN MANUAL.]
+
+E.LANDELLS.S.
+
+LONDON. WHITEHEAD AND COMP^Y. 76, FLEET STREET. MDCCCXXXVIII.
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration]
+
+PREFACE.
+
+
+The following pages contain a Treatise on the Art of Riding on
+Horseback, for Ladies, which originally appeared in the Publishers'
+well-known Manual of elegant feminine Recreations, Exercises, and
+Pursuits, THE YOUNG LADY'S BOOK; with, however, various additions to the
+Text, and a number of new Illustrations and Embellishments.
+
+In offering the Treatise, thus improved and adorned, in a separate form,
+the Publishers, it need scarcely be said, have been influenced,
+materially, by that high and most extensive patronage, which, under
+Royal auspices, has been conferred by the ladies of this country, since
+the commencement of the present reign, on the Art of which it is the
+subject.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration]
+
+CONTENTS.
+
+
+                                 Page
+  INTRODUCTION                      7
+  EQUESTRIAN TECHNICALITIES        23
+  THE LADY'S HORSE                 26
+  PERSONAL EQUIPMENTS              31
+  ACCOUTREMENTS FOR THE HORSE      33
+  RULES OF THE ROAD                34
+  MODE OF MOUNTING                 36
+  MANAGEMENT OF THE REINS          41
+  THE SEAT AND BALANCE             44
+  AIDS AND DEFENCES                51
+  SOOTHINGS AND ANIMATIONS         55
+  CORRECTIONS                      58
+  VICES                            60
+  EXERCISES IN THE PACES           71
+  THE WALK                         73
+  THE TROT                         79
+  THE CANTER                       81
+  THE GALLOP                       84
+  STOPPING AND BACKING             85
+  LEAPING                          87
+  DISMOUNTING                      91
+  CONCLUDING REMARKS               95
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+THE YOUNG LADY'S EQUESTRIAN MANUAL.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+    Our Virgin Queen, peerless Elizabeth,
+    With grace and dignity rode through the host:
+    And proudly paced that gallant steed, as though
+    He knew his saddle was a royal throne.
+
+
+INTRODUCTION.
+
+
+Riding on Horseback is, confessedly, one of the most graceful,
+agreeable, and salutary of feminine recreations. No attitude, perhaps,
+can be regarded as more elegant than that of a lady in the modern
+side-saddle; nor can any exercise be deemed capable of affording more
+rational and innocent delight, than that of the female equestrian.
+Pursued in the open air, it affords a most rapid, and, at the same
+time, exhilarating succession of scenic changes, at a degree of personal
+exertion, sufficient to produce immediate pleasure, without inducing the
+subsequent languor of fatigue.
+
+Nor is riding on horseback attended with that danger to ladies,
+attributed to it by the indolent, the melancholy, and the timid.
+Accidents, indeed, in the side-saddle, are of extremely rare occurrence.
+Strange as it may seem, it is, however, an incontrovertible fact, that
+horses, in general, are much more docile and temperate, with riders of
+the fair sex, than when mounted by men. This may be attributed,
+partially, to the more backward position, in the saddle, of the former
+than the latter; but, principally, perhaps, to their superior delicacy
+of hand in managing the reins.
+
+As an active recreation, and a mode of conveyance, riding on horseback
+appears to have been of very remote usage among our fair countrywomen.
+During a long period, indeed, it was the only one known to, or, adopted
+by them, for the performance of journies. Such, too, appears to have
+been the case (with some modifications) in other European countries. The
+only _voiture_ of the French, says Garsault, until the reign of Charles
+the Sixth, was the back of the horse or mule: neither Kings, Queens,
+Princes, nor subjects were acquainted with any other. In the time of
+that monarch, litters, borne by two horses, first appeared; but these
+were uncovered, and used, only, by ladies of the court. Froissart
+describes Isabel, the second wife of Richard the Second of England, as
+having been borne "en une litiere moult riche, qui etoit ordonnee pour
+elle;" and this kind of vehicle, during the reigns of several succeeding
+Monarchs, appears to have been used by women of distinction in this
+country, but, only, it is to be observed, in cases of illness, or on
+occasions of ceremony. For example,--when Margaret, daughter of Henry
+the Seventh, went into Scotland, she generally rode "a faire palfrey;"
+while, after her, was conveyed "one vary riche litere, borne by two
+faire coursers, vary nobly drest; in the which litere the sayd Queene
+was borne in the intrying of the good townes, or otherwise, to her good
+playsher."
+
+Towards the end of the thirteenth century, vehicles with wheels, for the
+use of ladies, were first introduced. They appear to have been of
+Italian origin, as the first notice of them is found in an account of
+the entry of Charles of Anjou into Naples; on which occasion, we are
+told, his queen rode in a _careta_, the outside and inside of which were
+covered with sky-blue velvet, interspersed with golden lilies. Under the
+Gallicised denomination of _char_, the Italian _careta_, shortly
+afterwards became known in France; where, so early as the year 1294, an
+ordinance was issued by Philip the Fair, forbidding its use to citizens'
+wives. Nor was England far behind in the adoption of the vehicle; for,
+in "The Squyr of Low Degree," a poem supposed to have been written
+anterior to the time of Chaucer, we find the father of a royal lady
+promising that she shall hunt with him, on the morrow, in "_a chare_,"
+drawn by
+
+    "Jennettes of Spain that ben so white,
+    Trapped to the ground with velvet bright."
+
+    "It shall be covered with velvet red,
+    And clothes of fine gold all about your head;
+    With damask white and azure blue,
+    Well diapered with lilies blue."
+
+However richly ornamented, the _careta_, _char_, or _chare_--and there
+is little, if any, doubt, to be entertained as to their identity--may
+have been, it was, probably, a clumsy, inelegant, and inconvenient
+structure; for its employment appears to have been far from general
+among high-born ladies, even on occasions of ceremony and pomp. During
+the fourteenth, fifteenth, and sixteenth centuries, the French
+Princesses usually rode on donkies; and so late as the year 1534, a
+sacred festival was attended by Queen Eleonora, and the females of the
+blood royal of France, on horseback. Nor did the superior and more
+recent invention of coaches, for a long period, tend materially to
+supersede, among ladies, the use of the saddle. These vehicles,
+according to Stow, became known, in England, in 1580; but, many years
+after, Queen Elizabeth herself is described as having appeared, almost
+daily, on her palfrey. In the time of Charles the Second, the fashion,
+among ladies, of riding on horseback, declined; during subsequent
+reigns, it gradually revived; and the exercise may now be regarded as
+firmly established, among our fair countrywomen, by the august example
+of their illustrious Queen.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+The present graceful, secure, and appropriate style of female
+equestrianism is, however, materially different from that of the olden
+time. In by-gone days, the dame or damosel rode precisely as the knight
+or page. Of this, several illustrations occur in an illuminated
+manuscript of the fourteenth century, preserved in the Royal Library. In
+one of these, a lady of that period is depicted on horseback, enjoying
+the pastime of the chase. In another, are represented two gentlewomen
+of the same period, on horseback, with an individual of the other sex,
+engaged (as is shewn by some parts of the design, which it would be
+needless, for our present purpose, to copy) in the once much-favoured
+diversion of Hawking.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+Queen Elizabeth, says a writer in the Encyclopaedia Londinensis, "seems
+to have been the first who set the ladies the more modest fashion of
+riding sideways. Considerable opposition was, at first, made to it, as
+inconvenient and dangerous: but, practice, in time, brought it into
+general use; particularly when ladies found they could ride a-hunting,
+take flying leaps, and gallop over cross roads and ploughed fields,
+without meeting with more accidents than the men: besides, it was not
+only allowed to be more decorous, but, in many respects, more congenial
+to the ease and comfort of a female rider."
+
+Our author is, however, wrong in ascribing the fashion of riding
+sideways, by women in this country, to Elizabeth; by whom it could only
+have been confirmed, or, at the most, revived;--the honour of its
+introduction being clearly attributable to another Queen of England, who
+lived at a much more early period of our history.
+
+Ann of Bohemia, consort of Richard the Second, is the illustrious
+personage to whom we allude. She, it was, according to Stow (whom
+Beckman follows on this point), that originally shewed the women of this
+country how gracefully and conveniently they might ride on horseback
+sideways. Another old historian, enumerating the new fashions of Richard
+the Second's reign, observes, "Likewise, noble ladies then used high
+heads and cornets, and robes with long trains, and seats, or
+_side-saddles_, on their horses, by the example of the respectable
+Queen, Ann, daughter of the King of Bohemia; who first introduced the
+custom into this kingdom: for, before, women of every rank rode as men
+do" (T. ROSSII, _Hist. Re. Ang._ p. 205). In his beautiful illustrative
+picture of Chaucer's Canterbury Pilgrims, Stothard appears to have
+committed an anachronism, in placing the most conspicuous female
+character of his fine composition sideways on her steed. That the lady
+should have been depicted riding in the male fashion, might, it strikes
+us, have been inferred, without any historical research on the subject,
+from the poet's describing her as having, on her feet,
+
+    "_a paire_ of spurres sharpe."
+
+Neither the original example of Ann of Bohemia, nor that, in later days,
+of Elizabeth, as female equestrians, however extensively followed, had
+sufficient force, entirely to abolish, among our countrywomen, the mode
+of riding like the other sex. In the time of Charles the Second, it
+appears, from a passage in the Duke of Newcastle's great work on
+Horsemanship, to have still, at least partially, subsisted. Another
+writer of the seventeenth century, whose manuscripts are preserved in
+the Harleian collection, speaks of it, as having been practised, in his
+time, by the ladies of Bury, in Suffolk, when hunting or hawking; and
+our venerable contemporary, Lawrence (a voluminous writer on the horse),
+it is worthy of remark, states, that at an early period of his own life,
+two young ladies of good family, then residing near Ipswich, _in the
+same county_, "were in the constant habit of riding about the country,
+in their smart doe-skins, great coats, and flapped beaver hats."
+
+[Illustration]
+
+Although entirely relinquished, at present, perhaps in this country, the
+mode of female equestrianism under notice continues to prevail in
+various other localities. In the following sketch, taken from Charles
+Audry's magnificent "Ecole d' Equitation," a Persian lady is delineated
+as just about to start on a journey, in the saddle; and, in the next,
+which is engraved from an original drawing, "done from the life," a lady
+and gentleman of Lima are represented on horseback. "I have
+endeavoured," the artist says, in manuscript, on the reverse of his
+sketch, "to depict the horses '_pacing_;' as they are almost universally
+taught to do, in Peru: that is, to move both the legs, of one side,
+forward together. It resembles an English butcher's trot in appearance;
+but, it is so easy, that one might go to sleep on the horse: and, after
+riding '_a pacer_,' it is difficult to sit a trotter at first. It is,
+also, excessively rapid;--good _pacers_ beating other horses at a
+gallop. The ladies of Lima do not always ride with the face covered:
+but, only, when the sun is powerful. They, sometimes, ride in _ponchos_,
+like the men: in fact, it is excessively difficult, at first sight, to
+determine whether a person on horseback be male or female."
+
+[Illustration]
+
+The side-saddle introduced to this country by Ann of Bohemia, differed,
+materially, from that now used by British ladies; having, no doubt,
+been a mere pillion, on which the rider sate, as in a chair.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+[Illustration]
+
+At what period our fair countrywomen first began to ride with the knee
+over the pommel, we are not enabled to state: it is, however, clear,
+according to the original of the above sketch, which occurs in one of
+the historical illustrations of equestrianism, given by Audry, that the
+courtly dames of England did so, about the middle of the seventeenth
+century. Our author describes the figure, as being that of the Countess
+of Newcastle.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+It may be conjectured, that a single crutch, only, for the advanced leg,
+was at first used; and this, it is not improbable, was fixed on the
+centre of the pommel, as in the lady's saddle, now, or at least very
+lately, common in some parts of Mexico; where the women, it would seem,
+ride with the left hand towards the animal's head. This, also, appears
+to have been, sometimes, the case, down to a recent period, in our own
+country; for, in rather a modern description of the side-saddle, the
+crutches are spoken of as being moveable, in order to afford a lady, by
+merely changing their relative positions, the means of riding, as she
+might please, on either side of her horse.[18-*] That a second crutch
+was used about the middle of the last century (we are unable to state
+how much earlier), in France, at least, is evident from a plate of the
+lady's hunting saddle, at that period, given by Garsault; in which, it
+is curious, a sort of hold-fast is provided for the fair equestrian's
+right hand. But, even so recently as Garsault's time, the saddle in
+ordinary use, by French women, was, we learn from his work on
+equitation, still, a kind of pillion, on which the rider sate,
+diagonally, with both feet resting on a broad suspended ledge or
+stirrup. The pillion in this country has not yet become obsolete; being
+still, frequently, to be seen, on the backs of donkies and hack ponies,
+at watering places. During the early part of the present century, its
+employment continued to be general. It was fixed behind a man's saddle,
+on the croup of a steady horse, trained to go at an easy though
+shuffling pace between a walk and a trot. The groom, or gentleman,
+equipped with a broad leathern belt buckled about his waist--by which
+the lady secured her position, in case of need--first mounted; and his
+fair companion was then lifted, backwards, and behind him, into her
+seat. In an old work on horsemanship, written by one William Stokes,
+and published at Oxford, it is not, perhaps, unworthy of notice,
+directions are given for vaulting into the saddle, _after_ the lady has
+been placed on the croup; together with a plate illustrative of so
+exquisitely nice and marvellously absurd an operation. In Mexico "they
+manage these things," if not "better," at all events, with more
+gallantry, than our forefathers did, for with them, "the _pisana_, or
+country lady," we are told, "is often seen mounted _before_ her
+_cavaliero_; who, seated behind his fair one, supports her with his arm
+thrown around her waist." Our illustrative sketch of this custom (in the
+preceding page) is taken from a beautiful model,--the work of a native
+Mexican artist.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+[Illustration]
+
+Having, now, offered our fair readers a slight and unpretending
+historical sketch of female equestrianism, we shall proceed, after a few
+preliminary remarks, to the practical details of the art.
+
+Its various advantages, inducements, and attractions, as an exercise,
+have, already, been noticed. Much, however, as we wish to interest our
+fair countrywomen, in its favour, it is proper, on our part, to tell
+them, frankly, that equestrianism is far from being an intuitive
+art:--there is no "royal road" to it. To be enjoyed and appreciated, it
+must be learnt. That ease and elegance,--that comparative safety in the
+side-saddle, of which we have spoken,--it is impossible to achieve,
+without considerable practice, based upon proper principles. Many young
+ladies, however, feel a delicate repugnance to passing through the
+ordeal of a riding-school; some, again, do not reside in situations,
+where the benefit of a teacher's directions can be procured; while
+others, erroneously flatter themselves, that they are in possession of
+every needful acquirement, as regards equestrianism, when they have
+discovered how to retain a seat on the saddle, and guide a horse by
+means of the bridle. To such of our readers as happen to be comprised
+within either of these classes,--and to those, also, who, after having
+received a professor's initiative instructions, are desirous of further
+improvement, the following pages, if carefully perused, will, the writer
+most zealously hopes, prove beneficial.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+FOOTNOTES:
+
+[18-*] Since writing the above, we have been assured by a
+friend, that, within a few weeks past, he has seen several ladies, at
+Brighton, seated on the wrong side of the horse. Side-saddles, with
+moveable crutches, indeed, are now far from uncommon (to our own
+knowledge), in saddlers' shops.
+
+
+
+
+EQUESTRIAN TECHNICALITIES.
+
+
+A few, among the most generally adopted, of these, it will be expedient,
+in the first place, to notice and explain.
+
+Most parts in the external structure of the horse are known by names of
+obvious signification: but such is not, exactly, the case with all.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+To commence with the anterior limb:--_a_ is the fore pastern; _b_, the
+fetlock; _c_, the leg; and _d_, the arm.
+
+In the hind limb, _e_ is the hind pastern; _f_, the hock; _g_, the
+stifle; and _h_, the haunch.
+
+The upper surface of the neck, _i_, is denominated the crest; _k_, the
+withers, and _l_, the croup.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+In the bridle, supposing it to be double-reined, _a_ is the double
+head-stall; _b_, the front; _c_, the nose-band; _d_, the throat-lash;
+_e_, _e_, the snaffle rein; and _f_, _f_, the curb rein. At _g_, _g_, is
+the martingale.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+In the saddle, _a_, is the near crutch; _b_, the off crutch; _c_, the
+cantle; _d_, the crupper; _e_, the safe; _f_, the skirt; _g_, the
+stirrup; _h_, the near side half of the surcingle; and _i_, _i_, the
+girths.
+
+A lady's right hand is termed the _whip_-hand, and her left, the
+_bridle_-hand.
+
+The _near_ side of a horse is that which is on the _left_ of the rider;
+and the _off_ side that which is on her _right_.
+
+The height of a horse is always estimated in _hands_, of four inches
+each: it is always measured at the tip of the shoulder. A horse is never
+spoken of as being so many hands _tall_, but so many hands _high_.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+THE LADY'S HORSE.
+
+
+Although the lady usually has a horse selected for her, by some
+gentleman, either of her own family or her acquaintance, it may not be
+inexpedient to inform the fair reader of those qualities which, combined
+in the same animal, may be said to constitute a complete lady's horse.
+Such a creature, however, we must observe, is exceedingly difficult to
+be procured, even by those possessed of the nicest judgment on the
+subject; and, to whom, the usually important question of price is not an
+object of consideration.
+
+The beau ideal of this kind of horse is superlatively elegant in form,
+exquisitely fine in coat, and unexceptionably beautiful in colour; of a
+height, in the nicest degree appropriate to the figure of the rider;
+graceful, accurate, well-united, and thoroughly safe in every pace;
+"light as a feather" in the hand, though not at all painfully sensitive
+to a proper action of the bit; bold in the extreme, yet superlatively
+docile; free, in every respect, from what is technically denominated
+"vice;" excellent in temper, but still "though gentle, yet not dull;"
+rarely, if ever, requiring the stimulus of the whip, yet submitting
+temperately to its occasional suggestions.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+In some, though not in all respects, the form should approach closely to
+that of a thorough-bred animal. The head should be small, neat,
+"well-set" on the neck, and gracefully "carried." The nostrils should be
+wide; the eyes large, rather protruding, dark, yet brilliant; the ears
+erect, and delicately tapering towards their tips. The expression of the
+countenance should be lively, animated, noble, and most highly
+intelligent; the neck rather arched and muscular; the ridge of the
+shoulders narrow and elevated; the chest full and fleshy; the back
+broad; the body, round or barrel-like; the space between the hips and
+tail, long, and very gradually depressed towards the latter organ,
+which, it is essential, should be based high on the croup. The fore and
+hind limbs should be distant, the one pair from the other; the "arms"
+muscular; the knees broad, the hocks (laterally) wide; the legs flat
+and sinewy; the pasterns rather long; and the hoofs large, and nearly
+round.
+
+A rough, or, what is technically termed, a "staring" coat, considerably
+deteriorates the appearance of a horse, however perfect in other
+conditions. Its surface, on a well-bred, healthy, and properly groomed
+animal, is not only smooth, but brilliantly polished. The mane, if too
+long and thick, will interfere with that delicate management of the
+reins so desirable to a lady on horseback; and the tail, if of
+immoderate length, will, by the animal's whisking it towards his sides,
+prove inconvenient, to the fair rider, at all times; but, especially so,
+in dirty weather. Neither of these appendages, however, on the other
+hand, should be ungracefully brief or scanty.
+
+Of all colours presented by the horse, none is so rich, and, at the same
+time, so elegant and chaste, as a bright bay; provided the mane, tail,
+and lower parts of the legs, be black. A small white star on the
+forehead, and a white speck on one of the heels, are to be considered,
+rather, as beauties, than defects: but much white, either on the face or
+legs, whatever be the general hue, is quite the reverse of desirable.
+After bright bay, chestnut, perhaps, deserves to rank next in the scale
+of taste; provided it be not, as is very frequently the case,
+accompanied with white legs. Some of the various shades of grey,
+however, are, in the opinion of many, entitled to be placed above it:
+of these, the silver grey, with black mane and tail, claims the highest
+place. Brown is rather exceptionable, on account of its dulness. Black
+is not much admired; though, as we think, when of a deep jet, remarkably
+elegant. Roan, sorrel, dun, piebald, mouse, and even cream colour
+(however appropriate the latter may be for a state-carriage-horse) are
+all to be eschewed.
+
+The height of her horse should be in harmonious proportion with that of
+the rider. A very young or short lady is in no less false a position, as
+regards grace, on a lofty steed, than a tall, full-grown woman, on a
+diminutive pony. For ladies of the general stature, a horse measuring
+from fifteen to fifteen and a half hands, at the point of the shoulder,
+is usually considered, as regards height, more desirable than any other.
+
+In paces, the lady's horse should be perfect; or, at all events, so far
+as regards the walk and canter. The former should be fast, bold, firm,
+and lively, without being unsteady; and, the latter, light, easy,
+well-combined, and graceful: so, too, should the hand-gallop; although,
+it is true, a lady's horse is rarely put to this pace, unless used for
+the field. The trot, again, is but little practised: still the complete
+lady's horse is expected to be capable of performing it with great
+precision of step, and but little concussion to the rider:--many ladies
+regarding it,--however discountenanced by the majority, perhaps,--as
+preferable, from its vigour, liveliness, and dash, to any other pace.
+
+To expatiate on the absolute necessity of the lady's horse being safe on
+his limbs, would be needless.
+
+The mouth should be sensible of the most delicate hint of the rider's
+will, communicated to it by means of the bit. A horse that pulls hard,
+or hangs heavily upon the reins, is very unsuitable for a lady's use:
+so, again, is one having the mouth so tender as to suffer from moderate
+pressure, either by the snaffle or the curb. The former is no less
+fatiguing to, than the latter is distressed by, the bridle hand.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+PERSONAL EQUIPMENTS.
+
+
+In the selection of these, a lady has a fair opportunity for the proper
+display of a refined and judicious taste. All that is gaudy, needless,
+or even elaborate, is vulgar. Perfect simplicity, indeed, as regards,
+not only her own costume, but "the trappings of her palfrey," is
+expected, at the present day, on the part of every well-bred female
+equestrian.
+
+The habit should fit the bust, without a crease: but, beneath the waist,
+it ought to be, not only long, but, somewhat full and flowing. Its
+colour should be dark as possible, without being positively black.
+
+The hair should be plaited; or, if otherwise dressed, so arranged and
+secured, that it may not be blown into the rider's eyes; nor, from
+exercise, or the effect of humid weather, be liable to be so
+discomposed, as to become embarrassing.
+
+To ride in a bonnet is far from judicious. A hat, or neat undress
+military cap, is indispensable to the female equestrian. It should be
+secured most carefully to the head: for, the loss of it would not merely
+be inconvenient, but, perhaps, dangerous, from the startling effect
+which its fall might produce on the sensitive temperament of the horse.
+
+A veil is the reverse of objectionable, provided it be of moderate
+length, and safely tied to the hat or cap; which, it is proper to state,
+should have no other ornament or appendage.
+
+The whip should be exquisitely neat and highly finished; but with
+little, if any, decoration.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+ACCOUTREMENTS FOR THE HORSE.
+
+
+Every accoutrement for the horse, however ornamental and pictorial,
+beyond the mere saddle and bridle, is to be rejected, as being in bad
+taste. The crupper and breast-band are now almost obsolete; the
+saddle-cloth has nearly disappeared; nettings are, generally speaking,
+abandoned; and the martingale itself, valuable as it may be for horses
+of a certain character, is rarely to be seen. Simplicity, indeed, as
+regards female equestrianism, is now imperatively (and, strange to say,
+most judiciously) enjoined, by "that same fickle goddess, Fashion," in
+obedience to whose sovereign behest, a lady's horse, in the olden time,
+was disguised, as it were, "in cloth of gold most curiously wrought."
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+RULES OF THE ROAD.
+
+
+Without a knowledge of these, the fair equestrian, when riding in
+public, would be exposed to considerable inconvenience, and, often, to
+no slight degree of danger.
+
+By a generally understood compact, persons, whether riding or driving,
+when proceeding in opposite directions, pass, each on his or her own
+_near_, or left-hand, side, of the road; and when on a parallel course,
+the faster party goes by the other, on the _off_, or right. In other
+words, when the former is the case, the right hands of the parties
+meeting, are towards each other; and, in the latter, the left hand of
+the faster, is towards the right hand of the slower. It follows,
+therefore, that when the rider is about to meet horses or carriages, she
+should take her ground on her _near_, or left, side of the road; and,
+when about to pass those travelling in the same direction with, though
+at a less speedy pace than, herself, on her right, or _off_. In meeting
+one rider, or vehicle, and, at the same time, passing, by superior
+speed, another, she must leave the first, on her right, and the second,
+on her left.
+
+It will not be inexpedient, under the present head, to make some
+observations as to which side the lady should take, when riding in
+company with a gentleman. Adams, a teacher of equitation, and the
+author of a work on the subject, remarks, that the only inducements for
+a gentleman to ride on the left of a lady, would be, that, by having his
+right hand towards her, in case of her needing assistance, he might, the
+more readily and efficiently, be enabled to afford it, than if he were
+on the opposite side; and, should any disarrangement occur in the skirt
+of her habit, he might screen it until remedied. On the other hand, our
+author observes, with great good sense, though in terms somewhat
+homely,--addressing, it is to be noticed, his remarks to
+gentlemen,--"the inconvenience of riding on the left of the lady, is,
+that if you ride near, to give her any assistance, you are liable to
+rub, or incommode, the lady's legs, and alarm her; and the spur is
+liable to catch, or tear, the lady's habit: if the roads are dirty, your
+horse, likewise, bespatters the lady's habit. On the right hand of the
+lady, these inconveniences do not occur, if you ride ever so close; and
+you are situated next the carriages, and the various objects you meet,
+which, in narrow roads, or, passing near, might intimidate a lady. For
+these reasons, I think it most proper to take the right hand of a lady."
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+MOUNTING.
+
+
+On approaching a horse, the skirt of the habit should be gracefully
+gathered up, and the whip be carried in the right hand.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+[Illustration]
+
+It is the groom's duty, when the rider approaches, to gather up the
+reins with his left hand, smoothly and evenly, the curb rein between,
+and somewhat tighter than the bridoon, properly dividing them with his
+fore-finger. The lady advancing, on the near side of the horse, to the
+saddle, receives them a little more forward than the point of the
+horse's shoulder, with her right hand, which still retains and passes
+the whip over the saddle to the _off_ or right side. On taking the
+bridle in this manner, her fore-finger is placed between the reins: the
+groom then removes his hand, and the lady draws her own back, suffering
+the reins to glide gently and evenly through her fingers, until she
+reaches the near crutch of the saddle, which she takes with her right
+hand, still holding the whip and reins, and places herself close to the
+near side of the horse, with her back almost turned towards him. The
+groom now quits his former post, and prepares to assist her to mount.
+The horse being thus left to the lady's government, it is proper, that,
+in passing her hand through the reins she should not have suffered them
+to become so loose as to prevent her, when her hand is on the crutch,
+from having a light, but steady bearing on the bit, and thus keeping the
+horse to his position during the process of mounting. She next places
+her left foot firmly in the right hand of the groom, or gentleman, in
+attendance, who stoops to receive it. The lady then puts her left hand
+on his right shoulder; and, straightening her left knee, bears her
+weight on the assistant's hand; which he gradually raises (rising,
+himself, at the same time) until she is seated on the saddle. During her
+elevation, she steadies, and even, if necessary, partly assists herself
+towards the saddle by her hands; one of which, it will be recollected,
+is placed on the crutch, and the other on her assistant's shoulder. It
+is important that she should keep her foot firm and her knee straight.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+If these directions be well attended to, she will find herself raised to
+her saddle with but a trifling exertion, either, on her own part, or
+that of the assistant. Should the latter be a lad only, or a groom not
+much accustomed to this part of his business, he should use both hands
+instead of one;--joining them by the fingers: indeed, this, generally
+speaking, is the safer mode. The lady, in all cases, should take care
+that her weight be well balanced on her left foot, from which she should
+rise as perpendicularly as possible; above all things taking care not to
+put her foot forward, but keeping it directly under her. The assistant
+should not begin to raise her until she has removed her right foot from
+the ground, and, by strengthening her knee, thrown her weight completely
+into his hand.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+Having reached the saddle, while her face is still turned to the near
+side of the horse, and before she places her knee on the pommel, the
+assistant puts the lady's left foot in the stirrup, while she removes
+her hand from the near to the off crutch of the saddle, holding the whip
+and reins as before directed. She now raises herself on the stirrup by
+the aid of her right hand, while the assistant, or the lady herself,
+with her left hand, draws the habit forward in its place. She then
+places her right knee between the crutches, and her seat is taken.
+
+Should the back part of the habit at this time, or afterwards, in the
+course of the ride, require any arrangement, the lady raises herself in
+the stirrup, by strengthening her knee, and, with her left hand,
+disposes her habit to her satisfaction.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+THE REINS.
+
+
+Pupils, during their first lessons, may arrange the reins in the
+following manner:--The right hand is removed from the crutch of the
+saddle; the reins are separated, and one is held in each hand, passing
+up between the third and fourth fingers, the ends being brought over the
+fore-fingers, and held in their places by closing the thumbs upon them,
+and shutting the hands: these should be on a level with each other, at a
+little distance apart, three inches from the body, or thereabouts, with
+the knuckles of the little fingers in a line with the elbow. By slightly
+advancing the hands, or even relaxing the hold of the reins, the horse,
+if well trained, will go forward. The left hand is raised to turn to the
+near or left side, and the right hand to turn in an opposite direction.
+By slightly raising and approaching both hands toward the body, the
+horse may be made to stop. When either rein is acted on, to turn the
+horse, the other should be a little slackened, or the hand which holds
+it relaxed.
+
+As soon as the pupil has passed her noviciate in the art, she holds both
+reins in the left hand. Some ladies separate them by the third and
+fourth fingers; others, by one of these fingers only; and many, by the
+fourth and little finger: but the greater number use the latter alone
+for this purpose, passing the off or right rein over it, and bringing
+the near or left rein up beneath it. The reins are carried flat upon
+each other up through the hand, near the middle joint of the
+fore-finger, and the thumb is placed upon them so that their ends fall
+down in front of the knuckles. The elbow should neither be squeezed
+close to the side, nor thrust out into an awkward and unnatural
+position; but be carried easily and gracefully, at a moderate distance
+from the body. The thumb should be uppermost, and the hand so placed
+that the lower part of it be nearer the waist than the upper; the wrist
+should be slightly rounded, the little finger in a line with the elbow,
+and the nails turned towards the rider.
+
+With the reins in this position, the lady, if she wish her horse to
+advance, brings her thumb towards her, until the knuckles are uppermost,
+and the nails over the horse's shoulder: the reins, by this simple
+motion, are slackened sufficiently to permit him to move forward. After
+he is put in motion, the rider's hand should return to the first
+position, gradually; or it may be slightly advanced, and the thumb
+turned upwards immediately.
+
+To direct a horse to the left, let the thumb, which in the first
+position is uppermost, be turned to the right, the little finger to the
+left, and the back of the hand brought upwards. This movement is
+performed in a moment, and it will cause the left rein to hang slack,
+while the right is tightened so as to press against the horse's neck.
+
+To direct the horse to the right, the hand should quit the first
+position, the nails be turned upwards, the little finger brought in
+towards the right, and the thumb moved to the left: the left rein will
+thus press the neck, while the right one is slackened.
+
+To stop the horse, or make him back, the nails should be turned, from
+the first position, upwards, the knuckles be reversed, and the wrist be
+rounded as much as possible.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+THE SEAT AND BALANCE.
+
+
+The body should always be in a situation, as well to preserve the
+balance, as to maintain the seat.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+One of the most common errors committed by ladies on horseback, who have
+not been properly taught to ride is hanging by the near crutch, so that,
+instead of being gracefully seated in the centre of the saddle, with the
+head in its proper situation, and the shoulders even, the body is
+inclined to the left, the head is brought to the right by an inelegant
+bend of the neck, the right shoulder is elevated, and the left
+depressed.
+
+To correct or avoid these and similar faults, is important. All the
+rider's movements should harmonize with the paces of the animal: her
+position should be at once easy to herself and to her horse; and alike
+calculated to ensure her own safety and give her a perfect command over
+the animal. If she sit in a careless, ungraceful manner, the action of
+her horse will be the reverse of elegant. A lady seldom appears to
+greater advantage than when mounted on a fine horse, if her deportment
+be graceful, and her positions correspond with his paces and attitudes;
+but the reverse is the case, if, instead of acting with, and influencing
+the movements of the horse, she appear to be tossed to and fro, and
+overcome by them. She should rise, descend, advance, and stop _with_,
+and not _after_ the animal. From this harmony of motion result ease,
+elegance, and the most brilliant effect. The lady should sit in such a
+position, that the weight of the body may rest on the centre of the
+saddle. One shoulder should not be advanced more than the other. Neither
+must she bear any weight on the stirrup, nor hang by the crutch towards
+the near side. She ought not to suffer herself to incline forward, but
+partially backward. If she bend forward, her shoulders will, most
+probably, be rounded, and her weight thrown too much upon the horse's
+withers: in addition to these disadvantages, the position will give her
+an air of timid _gaucherie_. Leaning a little backward, on the contrary,
+tends to bring the shoulders in, keeps the weight in its proper
+bearing, and produces an appearance of graceful confidence.
+
+The head should be in an easy, natural position: that is, neither
+drooping forward nor thrown back; neither leaning to the right nor to
+the left. The bust should be elegantly developed, by throwing back the
+shoulders, advancing the chest, and bending the back part of the waist
+inward. The elbows should be steady, and kept in an easy, and apparently
+unconstrained position, near the sides. The lower part of the arm should
+form a right angle with the upper part, which ought to descend almost
+perpendicularly from the shoulder. The position of the hands, when both
+are occupied with the reins, or when the reins are held in one only, we
+have already noticed: the right arm and hand, in the latter case, may
+depend, easily, from the shoulder, and the whip be held in the fingers,
+with the lash downward, between two fingers and the thumb. The whip may
+also be carried in the right hand, in the manner adopted by gentlemen:
+the lady is not restricted to any precise rules in this respect, but may
+vary the position of her whip arm as she may think fit, so that she do
+not permit it to appear ungraceful. She must, however, take care that
+the whip be so carried, that its point do not tickle or irritate the
+flank of the horse.
+
+The stirrup is of very little use except to support the left foot and
+leg, and to assist the rider to rise in the trot: generally speaking,
+therefore, as we have already remarked, none of the weight of the body
+should be thrown upon the stirrup. The left leg must not be cramped up,
+but assume an easy and comfortable position: it should neither be forced
+out, so as to render the general appearance ungraceful, and the leg
+itself fatigued; nor, should it be pressed close to the horse, except
+when used as an aid; but descend gracefully by his side, without bearing
+against it.
+
+Although hanging by the left crutch of the saddle, over the near side,
+is not only inelegant, but objectionable in many important respects, the
+near crutch, properly used, is a lady's principal dependence on
+horseback. The right knee being passed over the near crutch, the toes
+being slightly depressed, and the leg pressed against the fore part of
+the saddle, the pommel is grasped, and the rider well secured in the
+possession of her seat. It is said, that when a lady, while her horse is
+going at a smart trot, can lean over, on the right side, far enough to
+see the horse's shoe, she may be supposed to have established a correct
+seat; which, we repeat, she should spare no pains to acquire. In some of
+the schools, a pupil is often directed to ride without the stirrup, and,
+with her arms placed behind her, while the master holds the long rein,
+and urges the horse to various degrees of speed, and in different
+directions, in order to settle her firmly and gracefully on the
+saddle,--to convince her that there is security without the
+stirrup,--and to teach her to accompany, with precision and ease, the
+various movements of the horse.
+
+Nothing can be more detrimental to the grace of a lady's appearance on
+horseback, than a bad position: a recent author says, it is a sight that
+would spoil the finest landscape in the world. What can be much more
+ridiculous, than the appearance of a female, whose whole frame, through
+mal-position, seems to be the sport of every movement of the horse? If
+the lady be not mistress of her seat, and be unable to maintain a proper
+position of her limbs and body, so soon as her horse starts into a trot,
+she runs the risk of being tossed about on the saddle, like the Halcyon
+of the poets in her frail nest,--
+
+    "Floating upon the boisterous rude sea."
+
+If the animal should canter, his fair rider's head will be jerked to and
+fro as "a vexed weathercock;" her drapery will be blown about, instead
+of falling gracefully around her; and her elbows rise and fall, or, as
+it were, flap up and down like the pinions of an awkward nestling
+endeavouring to fly. To avoid such disagreeable similes being applied to
+her, the young lady, who aspires to be a good rider, should, even from
+her first lesson in the art, strive to obtain a proper deportment on the
+saddle. She ought to be correct, without seeming stiff or formal: and
+easy, without appearing slovenly. The position we have described,
+subject to occasional variations, will be found, by experience, to be
+the most natural and graceful mode of sitting a horse:--it is easy to
+the rider and her steed; and enables the former to govern the actions of
+the latter so effectually, in all ordinary cases, as to produce that
+harmony of motion, which is so much and so deservedly admired.
+
+The balance is conducive to the ease, elegance, and security of the
+rider:--it consists in a foreknowledge of the direction which any given
+motion of the horse will impart to the body, and a ready adaptation of
+the whole frame to the proper position, before the animal has completed
+his change of attitude or action;--it is that disposition of the person,
+in accordance with the movements of the horse, which prevents it from an
+undue inclination, forward or backward, to the right or to the left.
+
+By the direction and motion of the horse's legs the balance is governed.
+If the animal be either standing still, or merely walking
+straight-forward, the body should be preserved in the simple position
+which we have directed the lady to assume on taking her seat. Should it
+be necessary to apply the whip, so as to make the animal quicken his
+pace, or to pull him in suddenly, the body must be prepared to
+accommodate itself to the animal's change of action. When going round a
+corner at a brisk pace, or riding in a circle, the body should lean back
+rather more than in the walking position: to the same extent that the
+horse bends inward, must the body lean in that direction. If a horse shy
+at any object, and either turn completely and suddenly round, or run on
+one side only, the body should, if possible, keep time with his
+movements, and adapt itself so as to turn or swerve with him; otherwise,
+the balance will be lost, and the rider be in danger of falling, on the
+side from which the animal starts. In no case, let it be remembered,
+should the rider endeavour to assist herself in preserving her balance,
+by pulling at the reins.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+AIDS AND DEFENCES.
+
+
+All such motions of the body, the hands, the legs, and the whip, as
+either indicate the rider's wishes, or, in some degree, assist the horse
+to fulfil them, are, in the art of riding, denominated _aids_; and those
+movements of the rider which tend to save the animal from disuniting
+himself, or running into danger, may, properly enough, be classed under
+the same title: while such as act for the preservation of the rider,
+against the attempts of the horse, when headstrong or vicious, are
+termed _defences_.
+
+The aids of the hand are considered the most important: all the other
+actions of the rider tending, principally, to assist the bridle-hand and
+carry its operations into complete effect. There should be a perfect
+harmony in the aids; and all of them ought to be governed by those of
+the rein. In many instances, the power of a movement performed by the
+hand may be destroyed by the omission of a correct accompanying aid or
+defence, with the body, or the leg. Thus:--if a horse rear, it is
+useless for the rider to afford him a slack rein, if she do not also
+lean forward, in order, by throwing her weight on his fore-parts, to
+bring him down, and also to save herself from falling backward over his
+haunches. Should the rider, when her horse rises, slacken the reins,
+but retain her usual position on the saddle, if he rear high, she must
+necessarily be thrown off her balance; and then, if she hang on the bit,
+in order to save herself from falling, there is great danger of her
+pulling the horse backward.
+
+The aids and defences of the body are numerous: we shall attempt to
+describe a few of them; the residue must be acquired by practice, and
+the lady's own observation. When the rider indicates by her hand that
+she wishes the horse to advance, the body should be inclined forward in
+a slight degree; and the left leg (with the whip, also, if the animal be
+sluggish, or not well trained) pressed to his side. Should she, by
+pulling the rein towards her, or turning the wrist in the manner we have
+before directed, communicate her desire to stop, her body ought, at the
+same time, to be thrown back, with gentleness, or otherwise, in
+proportion to the severity of the action of the hand against the horse's
+inclination to increase his speed contrary to the will of his rider, or
+when he leaps, kicks, or plunges. If a horse rear, the rider should lean
+forward more than in the aid for the advance: but care must be taken, in
+this case, to perform the defence with discretion, especially with a
+pony, or galloway; for, should the animal rise suddenly, and the rider
+throw herself abruptly forward, it is not improbable that he might give
+her a violent blow on the face with the top of his head.
+
+We have already mentioned, in a previous part of our treatise, the
+direction which the body should take when riding in a circle, turning a
+corner, or acting as a defence against the danger attendant upon a
+horse's shying. In the first case, the aid of the body, if properly
+performed, will carry with it the aid of the hand, the leg, and even the
+whip, if it be held near the horse's side. We will explain this by an
+example:--Suppose the rider wishes to turn a corner on her left; she
+inclines a little towards it, drawing her left shoulder in, and
+thrusting her right shoulder rather forward: the bridle-hand will thus
+be drawn back on the near side, the off rein will consequently act on
+the horse's neck, and the left leg be pressed close against the near
+side; so that all the necessary aids for effecting her object, are
+performed by one natural and easy movement.
+
+The aids of the whip, on one side, correspond with those of the leg, on
+the other: they are not only used in the manner we have already
+mentioned, when the rider wishes her horse to advance, or increase his
+pace, but also in clearing a corner, &c. If the lady be desirous of
+turning to the left, she may materially aid the operation of the hand,
+which directs the fore-parts of the horse to the near side, by pressing
+him with her stirrup leg, so as to throw his croup in some degree to the
+right, and thereby place it in a more proper position to follow the
+direction of his shoulders. In turning to the right, the whip may be
+made equally useful by driving out his croup to the left. The power of
+these aids, especially that of the whip, should be increased as
+circumstances require. The aid which is sufficient for some horses, may
+not be powerful enough by half for others: and even with, the same
+animal, while the slightest pressure will produce the desired effect in
+some cases, a moderate, or, even, a rather severe, lash with the whip is
+necessary in others.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+SOOTHINGS, ANIMATIONS, &c.
+
+
+The voice and the hand, the leg, and the whole body, may be employed to
+soothe and encourage. High-mettled or fretful horses, it is often
+necessary to soothe, and timid ones to encourage. A spirited animal is
+frequently impatient when first mounted, or, if a horse or a carriage
+pass him at a quick rate; and some horses are even so ardent and
+animated, as to be unpleasant to ride when with others. In either of
+these cases, the rider should endeavour to soothe her horse, by speaking
+to him in a calm, gentle tone. She should suffer the whip to be as
+motionless as possible, and take even more than usual care that its lash
+do not touch the flank. Her seat should be easy, her leg still, and her
+bridle-hand steady. The bit should not be made to press on the horse's
+mouth with greater severity than is necessary to maintain the rider's
+command; and, as the horse gradually subsides from his animation, its
+bearing should be proportionately relaxed. The perfection of soothing
+consists in the rider's sitting so entirely still and easy, as not to
+add in the least to the horse's animation;--at the same time being on
+her guard, so as to be able to effect any of her defences in an instant,
+should occasion render them needful.
+
+There is scarcely any difference between soothings and encouragements;
+except that, in the latter, it is advisable to _pat_, and, as it were,
+caress the horse with the right hand, holding the whip in the left. A
+shy or timid horse may often be encouraged to pass an object that alarms
+him, to cross a bridge, enter a gateway, or take a leap, when force and
+correction would only add to his fear, and, perhaps, render him
+incorrigibly obstinate.
+
+Animations are intended to produce greater speed, or, to render the
+horse more lively and on the alert, without increasing his pace. Some
+animals scarcely ever require animations; while others are so dull and
+deficient in mettle as to call them frequently into use. The slightest
+movement of the body, the hand, or the leg, is enough to rouse the
+well-bred and thoroughly-trained animal; but it is necessary for the
+animations to be so spirited and united, with sluggish horses, as almost
+to become corrections: in fact, what is a mere animation to one horse,
+would be a positive correction to another.
+
+The aids of the hand, the whip, the leg, and the body, which we have
+before described, are animations; so, also, are _pattings_ with the
+hand, the tones of the voice, &c. Animations should be used in all
+cases, when the horse, contrary to the rider's inclination, either
+decreases his speed, droops his head, bears heavily and languidly on the
+bit, or, begins to be lazy or slovenly in the performance of his paces.
+A good rider foresees the necessity of an animation before the horse
+actually abates his speed, or loses the _ensemble_ of his action, and
+the grace and spirit of his deportment. It is much easier to keep up,
+than to restore, a horse's animation: therefore, the whip, the leg, the
+hand, or the tongue, should do its office a few moments before, rather
+than at, the moment when its movements are indispensable.
+
+A slight motion of the fingers of the bridle-hand serves as an excellent
+animation: it reminds the horse of his duty, awakens the sensibility of
+his mouth, and preserves a proper correspondence between that and the
+hand.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+CORRECTIONS.
+
+
+Ladies certainly ought not to ride horses which require extraordinary
+correction. For numerous reasons, which must occur to our readers, a
+lady should never be seen in the act of positively flogging her steed:
+such a sight would destroy every previous idea that had been formed of
+her grace or gentleness. Moderate corrections are, however, sometimes
+necessary; and the fair rider should make no scruple of having recourse
+to them when absolutely needful, but not otherwise. Astley, in his work
+on the management of the horse, after very properly recommending all
+quarrels between the steed and his rider to be avoided, observes, that
+too much indulgence may induce the horse to consider "that you are
+afraid of him;" and, our author adds, "if he should once think you are
+really so, you will find he will exercise every means to convince you
+that he considers himself your master, instead of acknowledging, by
+implicit obedience, that you are his."
+
+Those, who imagine that a horse is to be corrected only with the whip,
+are very much mistaken. The aids and animations of the leg, the
+bridle-hand, the body, and the voice, may be made sufficiently severe to
+correct and render a horse obedient in all ordinary cases. Severe
+flogging seldom produces any good effect; and, in most contests between
+a horse and his rider, when both get out of temper, the former usually
+gains some important advantage. The best way to correct a horse is to
+dishearten, and make him do what he would fain avoid;--not so much by
+force and obstinate resolution, in contesting openly and directly with
+him, when he is perfectly prepared to resist, as, by a cool opposition
+and indirect means. There are different methods of attaining the same
+end; and those which are the least obvious to the animal should be
+adopted: a lady cannot rival him in physical strength, but she may
+conquer him by mere ingenuity, or subdue him by a calm, determined
+assumption of superior power.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+VICES.
+
+
+Some horses are addicted to a very troublesome and vicious habit of
+turning round suddenly,--we do not here allude to shyness, but
+restiveness,--without exhibiting any previous symptom of their
+intention. A horse soon ascertains that the left hand is weaker than the
+right, and, consequently, less able to oppose him; he, therefore, turns
+on the off side, and with such force and suddenness, that it is almost
+impossible, even if the rider be prepared for the attack, to prevent
+him.
+
+In this case, it would be unwise to make the attempt: the rider would be
+foiled, and the horse become encouraged, by his success in the struggle,
+to make similar endeavours to have his own way, or dismount his rider.
+The better plan is, instead of endeavouring to prevent him from turning,
+with the left hand, to pull him sharply with the right, until his head
+has made a complete circle, and he finds, to his astonishment, that he
+is precisely in the place from which he started.
+
+Should he repeat the turn, on the rider's attempting to urge him on, she
+should pull him round, on the same side, three or four times, and assist
+the power of the hand in so doing, by a smart aid of the whip, or the
+leg. While this is doing, she must take care to preserve her balance, by
+an inclination of her body to the centre of the circle described by the
+horse's head.
+
+The same plan may be pursued when a horse endeavours to turn a corner,
+contrary to the wish of his rider; and, if he be successfully baffled,
+three or four times, it is most probable that he will not renew his
+endeavours.
+
+On the same principle, when a horse refuses to advance, and whipping
+would increase his obstinacy, or make him rear, or bolt away in a
+different direction, it is advisable to make him walk backward, until he
+evinces a willingness to advance.
+
+A runaway might, in many instances, be cured of his vice by being
+suffered to gallop, unchecked, and being urged forward, when he shewed
+an inclination to abate his speed, rather than by attempting to pull him
+in: but this remedy is, in most situations, dangerous, even for men; and
+all other means should be tried before it is resorted to by a lady.
+Should our fair young reader have the misfortune to be mounted on a
+runaway, she may avoid evil consequences, if she can contrive to retain
+her self-possession, and act as we are about to direct. She must
+endeavour to maintain her seat, at all hazards, and to preserve the best
+balance, or position of body, to carry her defences into operation. The
+least symptom of alarm, on her part, will increase the terror or
+determination of the horse. A dead heavy pull at the bridle will rather
+aid him, than otherwise, in his speed, and prevent her from having
+sufficient mastery over his mouth and her own hands to guide him. She
+must, therefore, hold the reins in such a manner as to keep the horse
+_together_ when at the height of his pace, and to guide him from running
+against anything in his course; and, it is most probable that he will
+soon abate his speed, and gradually subside into a moderate pace.
+_Sawing_ the mouth (that is, pulling each rein alternately) will
+frequently bring a horse up, in a few minutes. Slackening the reins for
+an instant, and then jerking them with force, may also produce a similar
+effect: but, if the latter mode be adopted, the rider must take care
+that the horse, by stopping suddenly, do not bring her on his neck, or
+throw her over his head.
+
+In whatever manner the runaway be stopped, it is advisable for the lady
+to be on the alert, lest he should become so disunited, by the
+operation, as to fall.
+
+Our readers may think, perhaps, that this advice, however easy to give,
+is difficult to follow: we beg leave, however, to tell them, that
+although it is not so easy as drawing on a glove, or replacing a stray
+curl, it is much more practicable than they may imagine; though, we
+trust, they may never have occasion to put it to the proof.
+
+There is another situation, in which it is advisable to force the horse,
+apparently, to have his own way, in order to baffle his attempts.
+Restive horses, or even docile animals, when put out of temper,
+sometimes endeavour to crush their riders' legs against walls, gates,
+trees, posts, &c. An inexperienced lady, under such circumstances, would
+strive to pull the horse away; but her exertions would be unavailing:
+the animal would feel that he could master the opposition, and thus
+discovering the rider's weakness, turn it to her disadvantage on future
+occasions. We cannot too often repeat, that, although a rider should not
+desist until she have subdued her horse, she must never enter into an
+open, undisguised contest with him. It is useless to attack him on a
+point which he is resolute in defending: the assault should rather be
+directed to his weaker side. If he fortify himself in one place, he must
+proportionately diminish his powers of defence in another. He
+anticipates and prepares to resist any attempt to overcome him on his
+strong side; and his astonishment at being attacked on the other, and
+with success, on account of his weakness in that quarter, goes far to
+dishearten and subdue him. If he plant himself in a position of
+resistance against being forced to advance, it is a matter of very
+little difficulty to make him go back. If he appear to be determined not
+to go to the right, the rider may, on account of the mode in which he
+disposes his body and limbs, turn him, with great facility, to the left.
+If he stand _stock-still_, and will not move in any direction, his crime
+may be made his punishment: the rider, in such case, should sit
+patiently until he shew a disposition to advance, which he probably will
+in a very short time, when he discovers that she is not annoyed by his
+standing still. Nothing will subdue a horse so soon as this mode of
+turning his attacks against himself, and making his defences appear acts
+of obedience to the rider's inclination. When, therefore, a horse
+viciously runs on one side towards a wall, pull his head forcibly in the
+same direction and, if, by the aid of the leg or whip, you can drive his
+croup out, you may succeed in backing him completely away from it. It is
+by no means improbable, that when he finds that his rider is inclined to
+go to the wall as well as himself, he will desist. Should he not, his
+croup may be so turned, outward, that he cannot do his rider any
+mischief.
+
+In shying, the same principle may be acted upon, more advantageously,
+perhaps, than in any other case. Should the lady's horse be alarmed at
+any object, and, instead of going up to, or passing it, turn round, the
+rider should manage him as we have recommended in cases where the horse
+turns, through restiveness. He should then be soothed and encouraged,
+rather than urged by correction, to approach, or pass, the object that
+alarms him: to attempt to force him up to it would be ridiculous and
+dangerous. If the horse swerve from an object, and try to pass it at a
+brisk rate, it is useless to pull him towards it; for, if you succeed in
+bringing his head on one side, his croup will be turned outward, and
+his legs work in an opposite direction. This resistance will increase
+proportionately to the exertions made by the rider. A horse, in this
+manner, may fly from imaginary, into real danger; for he cannot see
+where he is going, nor what he may run against. Pulling in the rein,
+therefore, on the side from which the horse shies, is improper; it
+should rather be slackened, and the horse's head turned away from the
+object which terrifies him. By this mode, a triple advantage is gained:
+in the first place, the horse's attention is diverted to other things;
+secondly,--the dreaded object loses half its terror when he finds no
+intention manifested on the rider's part to force him nearer to it; and,
+lastly,--he is enabled to see, and, consequently, avoid any danger in
+front, or on the other side of him.
+
+A horse may be coaxed and encouraged to go up to the object that alarms
+him; and, if the rider succeed in making him approach it, a beneficial
+effect will be produced: the horse will discover that his fears were
+groundless, and be less likely to start again from any similar cause.
+After the first impulse of terror has subsided, the animal, if properly
+managed, will even manifest an inclination to approach and examine the
+object that alarmed him: but, while he is so doing, the rider must be on
+her guard; for the least movement, or timidity, on her part,--the
+rustling of a leaf, or the passing of a shadow,--will, in all
+probability, frighten him again, and he will start round more violently
+than before. After this, it will be exceedingly difficult to bring him
+up to the object. Astley, however, whom we have before quoted, says,
+that should the first trial prove unsuccessful, it must be repeated,
+until you succeed; adding, that the second attempt should not be made
+until the horse's fears have subsided, and his confidence returned.
+
+A horse that is rather shy, may, in many cases, be prevented from
+starting, by the rider turning his head a little away from those
+objects, which, she knows by experience, are likely to alarm him, as
+well before she approaches as while she passes them.
+
+A lady, certainly, should not ride a horse addicted to shying,
+stumbling, rearing, or any other vice: but she ought, nevertheless, to
+be prepared against the occurrence of either; for, however careful and
+judicious those persons, by whom her horse is selected, may be, and
+however long a trial she may have had of his temper and merits, she
+cannot be sure, when she takes the reins, that she may not have to use
+her defences against rearing or kicking, or be required to exercise her
+skill to save herself from the dangers attendant on starting or
+stumbling, before she dismounts. The quietest horse may exhibit symptoms
+of vice, even without any apparent cause, after many years of good
+behaviour; the best-tempered are not immaculate, nor the surest-footed
+infallible: it is wise, therefore, to be prepared.
+
+Stumbling is not merely unpleasant, but dangerous. To ride a horse that
+is apt to trip, is like dwelling in a ruin: we cannot be comfortable if
+we feel that we are unsafe; and, truly, there is no safety on the back
+of a stumbling nag. The best advice we can offer our reader, as to such
+an animal, is never to ride him after his demerits are discovered:
+although the best horse in the world, may, we must confess, make a false
+step, and even break his knees.
+
+When a horse trips, his head should be raised and supported, by
+elevating the hand; and the lady should instantly throw herself back, so
+as to relieve his shoulders from her weight. It is useless to whip a
+horse after stumbling (as it is, also, after shying); for, it is clear,
+he would not run the risk of breaking his knees, or his nose, if he
+could help it. If a horse be constantly punished for stumbling, the
+moment he has recovered from a false step, he will start forward,
+flurried and disunited, in fear of the whip, and not only put the rider
+to inconvenience, but run the risk of a repetition of his mishap, before
+he regains his self-possession. It being generally the practice,--and a
+very bad practice it is,--for riders to correct horses after having made
+a false step, an habitual stumbler may be easily detected. When a horse,
+that is tolerably safe, makes a false step, he gathers himself up, and
+is slightly animated for a moment or two only, or goes on as if nothing
+had happened; but if he be an old offender, he will remember the
+punishment he has repeatedly received immediately after a stumble, and
+dash forward in the manner we have described, expecting the usual
+flagellation for his misfortune.
+
+When a horse evinces any disposition to kick, or rear, the reins should
+be separated, and held by both hands, in the manner we have described in
+a previous page. This should also be done when he attempts to run away,
+grows restive, or shies. The body should also be put in its proper
+balance for performing the defences: the shoulders should be thrown
+back, the waist brought forward, and the head well poised on the neck.
+Every part of the frame must be flexible, but perfectly ready for
+action.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+The principal danger attendant on the horse's rearing is, that the rider
+may fall over the croup, and, perhaps, pull the horse backward upon her.
+To prevent either of these consequences, immediately that a horse
+rises, slacken the reins, and bend the body forward, so as to throw its
+weight on his shoulders; and the moment his fore-feet come to the
+ground,--having recovered your position, gradually, as he
+descends,--correct him smartly, if he will bear it; or, endeavour to
+pull him round two or three times, and thus divert him from his object.
+
+The latter course may also be adopted to prevent his rearing, if the
+rider should foresee his intention.
+
+A horse that displays any symptoms of kicking, should be held tight in
+hand. While his head is well kept up, he cannot do much mischief with
+his heels.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+If, however, when the rider is unprepared, in spite of her exertions he
+should get his head down, she must endeavour, by means of the reins, to
+prevent the animal from throwing himself; and also, by a proper
+inclination of her body backward, to save herself from being thrown
+forward. Should an opportunity occur, she must endeavour to give him two
+or three sharp turns: this may also be done, with advantage, if she
+detect any incipient attempts in the animal to kick.
+
+A horse inclined to rear seldom kicks much: but he may do both
+alternately; and the rider should be prepared against his attempts, by
+keeping her balance in readiness for either of the opponent defences.
+She must also take care, that, while she is holding her horse's head up
+and well in hand to keep him from kicking, she do not cause him to rear,
+by too great a degree of pressure on his mouth.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+EXERCISES IN THE PACES.
+
+
+Although our limits will not permit us to enter into an elaborate detail
+of the lessons taken by a pupil in the riding school, it is right that
+we should give the learner a few useful hints on the rudiments of
+riding, and not devote our whole space to the improvement of those who
+have made considerable progress. While we endeavour to correct bad
+habits in the self-taught artist,--in the pupil of a kind friend, an
+affectionate relative, or of a mere groom,--to confirm the regularly
+educated equestrian in the true principles and practice of the art,--to
+remind her of what she has forgotten, and to improve upon the knowledge
+she may have acquired,--we must not forget those among our young
+friends, who, having never mounted a horse, are desirous of learning how
+to ride with grace and propriety, and who dwell at a distance, or do not
+feel inclined to take lessons, from a master. To such, one-third, at
+least, of our preceding observations are applicable; and we recommend an
+attentive perusal of what we have said, as to Mounting, the Aids, &c.,
+before they aspire to the saddle. Our other remarks they will find
+useful when they have acquired a little practice.
+
+A quiet and well-trained horse, and a careful attendant, should, if
+possible, be procured. A horse, that knows his duty, will almost
+instruct his rider; and if a friend, who is accustomed to horses, or a
+careful servant, accompany the pupil, there is little or nothing to
+fear, even in the first attempts. The friend, or groom, may also, by his
+advice, materially assist the learner in her progress.
+
+It would be needless for us to repeat our advice as to the manner of
+mounting, holding the reins, making the horse advance, stop, turn, &c.,
+or the proper disposition of the body and limbs: all these, in her early
+lessons, the pupil should gradually practise.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+THE WALK.
+
+
+Let the pupil walk the horse forward in a straight line, and at a slow
+rate, supporting his head in such a manner as to make him keep time in
+the beats of his pace; but not holding the reins so tight as to impede
+the measurement of his steps, or to make him break into a trot on being
+slightly animated. The hand should be so held, that it may delicately,
+but distinctly, feel, by the operation of the horse's mouth on the
+reins, every beat of his action. If he do not exert himself
+sufficiently, he should be somewhat animated. Should he break into a
+trot, he must be checked by the reins; but the pull must neither be so
+firm nor continued as to make him stop. The moment he obeys the rein and
+drops into a walk, the hand is to be relaxed. Should he require
+animating again, the movement for that purpose must be more gentle than
+before, lest he once more break into a trot.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+After walking in a straight line for a short time, the lady should
+practise the turn to the right and to the left; alternately using both
+hands in these operations, in the manner directed in a previous page.
+She must observe, that when she pulls the right rein in order to turn
+the horse on that side, the other hand must be relaxed and lowered, or
+advanced, to slacken the left rein and ease the horse's mouth, and _vice
+versa_.
+
+If the horse do not readily obey the hand in turning, or bring forward
+his croup sufficiently, he must be urged to throw himself more on the
+bit, by an animation of the leg or whip. The animations, during the
+first lessons, should be commenced with great gentleness, and the rider
+will easily discover, by a little experience, to what degree it is
+necessary to increase them, in order to procure obedience. This
+observation should be attended to, were it only for the pupil's safety;
+for, if she begin with her animations above the horse's spirit, his
+courage will be so raised as to endanger, or, at least, alarm her, and
+thus render what would otherwise be an agreeable exercise, unpleasant.
+
+After the pupil has practised walking in a straight line, and turning
+on either side, for a few days, she may walk in a circle, and soon make
+her horse wheel, change, demi-volt, &c. The circle should be large at
+first; but when the pupil has acquired her proper equilibrium, &c., it
+must, day by day, be gradually contracted.
+
+In riding round a circle, the inner rein should be rather lowered, and
+the body inclined inward. This inclination must be increased during
+succeeding lessons, as the circle is contracted, and the pupil quickens
+the pace of her horse. She must practise in the large circle, until she
+is able, by her hands and aids, to make the horse perform it correctly.
+The inside rein must be delicately acted upon; if it be jerked, at
+distant intervals, or borne upon, without intermission, the horse, in
+the former case, will swerve in and out, and, in the latter, the rider's
+hand, and the animal's mouth, will both become, in some degree,
+deadened; and thus their correspondence will be decreased. In order to
+procure correct action, the inner rein should be alternately borne on in
+a very slight degree, and relaxed the next instant,--the hand keeping
+exact time in its operations with the cadence of the horse's feet. The
+direction is to be frequently changed; the pupil alternately working to
+the right and the left, so as to bring both her hands into practice.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+As soon as the rider becomes tolerably well confirmed in her seat and
+balance, and in the performance of the simple aids and animations, as
+well in large as small circles, she should begin to ride in double
+circles; at first of considerable diameter, but decreasing them, by
+degrees, as she improves. Riding in double circles, is guiding the horse
+to perform a figure of 8; and this, in the language of the
+riding-school, is effecting the large and narrow change, according to
+the size of the circles. The number of the circles may be increased, and
+the sizes varied, with great advantage both to the rider and the horse.
+They may be at some distance from each other, and the horse be guided to
+work from one to the other diagonally. Thus, suppose he starts from _a_,
+he may be made to leave the upper circle at _e_, and enter the lower one
+at _d_; leave it at _c_, and enter the first again at _b_; and so
+continue for some time: then, beginning at _f_, to quit the lower circle
+at _c_, enter the upper one at _b_, leave it at _e_, and enter the lower
+circle again at _d_. Thus, the position of the rider and horse are
+alternately changed, from working from the right to a straight line,
+thence to the left, thence to a straight line, and thence again to the
+right. To give an instance of riding in a greater number of circles, of
+different diameters, let the horse start from _a_ (see figure, p. 77),
+and leave the upper circle at _b_, traversing to the outer small circle
+at _c_, passing round, so as to enter the inner circle at _e_, and going
+round, by _f_, to _g_; quitting it at _g_, and entering the lower
+circle at _h_; quitting the latter again, after passing round _i_, at
+_k_, and thence proceeding towards the outer small circle; entering at
+_l_, going round and entering the inner circle at _e_, passing round,
+and quitting it at _f_, to return again to _a_, by entering the upper
+circle at _m_. These exercises may be diversified in various ways; the
+pupil, for instance, may perform the upper circle, and one or both of
+the pair below, return to the upper circle, cross from that, diagonally,
+to the lower circle, quit it, at _h_ or _k_, to perform one of the
+middle circles, return to the lower circle again, pass thence to the
+other middle circle, and quit it at _c_ or _f_ (as the case may happen),
+to return to the upper circle again. Nothing can be more beneficial than
+this variety of action; it tends at once to confirm the pupil in her
+seat; to exercise her in her balance and aids; and to render the horse
+obedient: while, if he be kept in only one direction, he will perform
+the figure mechanically, without either improving his own mouth and
+action, or the rider's hands, aids, or balance.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+In the art of riding, working on a circle is called a _volt_; in angles,
+or a zig-zag direction, _changes reverse_; and on half a circle from a
+line, a _demi-volt_. These figures may first be performed separately;
+but there can be no objection to the demi-volt and changes reverse
+being afterwards embodied in the exercises on circles. As in the last
+figure, the lady may work from _a_ in the mode directed, for some time;
+then perform the variations, by going across from _a_ to _b_, and
+describe a demi-volt round by _c_ _e_ to _a_; then return from _a_ to
+_b_, and work a demi-volt, in an opposite direction, from _b_ to _a_:
+thence, the lady may proceed in a line, enter the lower circle at _d_,
+and re-commence riding in circles. The change reverse may at any time be
+performed, by quitting the upper circle at _e_ or _f_, and working on
+the traversing lines, so as to cross the lower circle at _g_ or _h_, and
+enter it at _i_ or _k_. In fact, these exercises may be varied, _ad
+libitum_; and the more they are diversified, the greater advantage the
+lady will derive from them, provided she persevere until she can perform
+one figure with accuracy, before she enter upon another that is more
+complicated. Should the horse, in changing, yield his head, but withhold
+his croup so as to destroy the union of his action, or mar the
+perfection of the change, the rider should bring it to the proper
+position, or sequence, by an aid of the whip or leg, as the case may be.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+THE TROT.
+
+
+[Illustration]
+
+The lady should begin to practise this pace as soon as she is tolerably
+perfect in the walking lessons. It will be as well for her, at first, to
+trot in a straight line: she may then work in the large circle, and
+proceed, gradually, through most of the figures which she has performed
+in a walk. To make the horse advance from a walk to a trot, draw upwards
+the little finger of each hand (or that of the left hand only, when the
+pupil has advanced enough to hold the reins in one hand), and turn them
+towards the body: an animation of the leg or whip should accompany this
+motion. The trot should be commenced moderately: if the horse start off
+too rapidly, or increase the pace beyond the rider's inclination, she
+must check him by closing the hands firmly; and, if that will not
+suffice, by drawing the little fingers upwards and towards the body.
+This must not be done by a jerk, but delicately and gradually; and, as
+soon as the proper effect is produced, the reins are again to be
+slackened. If the horse do not advance with sufficient speed, or do not
+bring up his haunches well, the animations used at starting him are to
+be repeated. When the horse proceeds to the trot, the lady must
+endeavour to preserve her balance, steadiness and pliancy, as in the
+walk. The rise in trotting is to be acquired by practice. When the
+horse, in his action, raises the rider from her seat, she should advance
+her body, and rest a considerable portion of her weight on the right
+knee; by means of which, and by bearing the left foot on the stirrup,
+she may return to her former position without being jerked; the right
+knee and the left foot, used in the same manner, will also aid her in
+the rise. Particular attention must be paid to the general position of
+the body while trotting: in this pace, ordinary riders frequently rise
+to the left, which is a very bad practice, and must positively be
+avoided. The lady should also take care not to raise herself too high;
+the closer she maintains her seat, consistently with her own comfort,
+the better.
+
+
+
+
+THE CANTER.
+
+
+The whole of the exercises on circles should next be performed in a
+canter; which may be commenced from a short but animated trot, a walk,
+or even a stop. If the horse be well trained, a slight pressure of the
+whip and leg, and an elevation of the horse's head, by means of the
+reins, will make him strike into a canter. Should he misunderstand, or
+disobey these indications of the rider's will, by merely increasing his
+walk or trot, or going into the trot from a walk, as the case may be, he
+is to be pressed forward on the bit by an increased animation of the leg
+and whip;--the reins, at the same time, being held more firmly, in order
+to restrain him from advancing too rapidly to bring his haunches well
+under him; for the support of which, in this position, he will keep both
+his hind feet for a moment on the ground, while he commences the canter
+by raising his fore feet together.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+The canter is by far the most elegant and agreeable of all the paces,
+when properly performed by the horse and rider: its perfection consists
+in its union and animation, rather than its speed. It is usual with
+learners who practise without a master, to begin the canter previously
+to the trot; but we are supported by good authority in recommending,
+that the lady should first practise the trot, as it is certainly much
+better calculated to strengthen and confirm her in the balance, seat &c.
+than the canter.
+
+The lady is advised, at this stage of her progress, to practise the
+paces, alternately, in the various combinations of the figures we have
+described; performing her aids with greater power and accuracy in turning
+and working in circles, when trotting or cantering, than when walking.
+She should also perfect herself in her aids, the correspondence, and
+balance, by alternately increasing and diminishing the speed in each
+pace, until she attain a perfect mastery over herself and her horse, and
+can not only make him work in what direction, and at what pace, but,
+also, at what degree of speed in each pace, she pleases.
+
+The horse ought to lead with the right foot: should he strike off with
+the left, the rider must either check him to a walk, and then make him
+commence the canter again, or induce him to advance the proper leg by
+acting on the near rein, pressing his side with the left leg, and
+touching his right shoulder with the whip. His hind legs should follow
+the direction of the fore legs, otherwise the pace will be untrue,
+disunited, and unpleasant, both to horse and rider: therefore, if the
+horse lead with his near fore leg (unless when cantering to the
+left--the only case when the near legs should be advanced), or with his
+near hind leg, except in the case just mentioned--although he may lead
+with the proper fore leg--the pace is false, and ought to be rectified.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+THE GALLOP.
+
+
+No lady of taste ever gallops on the road. Into this pace, the lady's
+horse is never urged, or permitted to break, except in the field: and
+not above one among a thousand of our fair readers, it may be surmised,
+is likely to be endowed with sufficient ambition and boldness, to
+attempt "the following of hounds." Any remarks, on our part, with regard
+to this pace, would, therefore, be all but needless.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+STOPPING AND BACKING.
+
+
+The lady must learn how to perform the perfect stop in all the paces.
+The perfect stop in the walk, is a cessation of all action in the
+animal, produced instantaneously by the rider, without any previous
+intimation being given by her to the horse. The slovenly stop is gradual
+and uncertain. The incorrect stop is a momentary and violent check on
+the action in the middle, instead of the conclusion, of the cadence,
+while the fore legs are coming to the ground. The proper movements
+should be performed, by the rider, so that the stop may conclude
+correctly with the cadence. The firmness of the hand should be
+increased, the body be thrown back, the reins drawn to the body, and the
+horse's haunches pressed forward by the leg and whip, so that he may be
+brought to bear on the bit.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+The stop in the trot is performed as in the walk: the rider should
+operate when the advanced limbs of the animal, before and behind,
+respectively, have come to the ground, so that the stop may be perfected
+when the other fore leg and hind leg advance and complete the cadence.
+
+The stop in the canter is performed by the rider in a similar manner:
+the time should be at the instant when the horse's fore feet are
+descending;--the hind feet will immediately follow, and at once conclude
+the cadence. In an extended canter, it is advisable to reduce the horse
+to a short trot, prior to stopping him, or to perform the stop by a
+_double arret_;--that is, in two cadences instead of one.
+
+It is necessary that the lady should learn how to make a horse _back_,
+in walking: to do this, the reins must be drawn equally and steadily
+towards the body, and the croup of the horse kept in a proper direction
+by means of the leg and whip.
+
+
+
+
+LEAPING.
+
+
+In riding-schools, ladies who never intend to hunt, are frequently
+taught to leap the bar. The practice is certainly beneficial; as it
+tends to confirm the seat, and enables the rider more effectually to
+preserve her balance, should she ever be mounted on an unsteady or
+vicious horse.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+Leaps are taken, either standing or _flying_, over a bar, which is so
+contrived as to fall, when touched by the horse's feet, if he do not
+clear it: it is placed at a short distance from the ground, at first;
+and raised, by degrees, as the rider improves. The standing leap, which
+is practised first, the horse takes from the halt, close to the bar. The
+flying leap is taken from any pace, and is easier than the standing
+leap, although the latter is considered the safer of the two to begin
+with; as, from the steadiness with which it is made by a trained horse,
+the master or assistant can aid the pupil at the slightest appearance of
+danger.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+The position of the rider is to be governed in this, as in all other
+cases, by the action of the horse. No weight is to be borne on the
+stirrup; for, in fact, pressure on the stirrup will tend to raise the
+body, rather than keep it close to the saddle. The legs--particularly
+the right one--must be pressed closely against the saddle, and the
+reins yielded to the horse, so that the rider can just distinguish a
+slight correspondence between her own hand and the horse's mouth. The
+animations thus produced, and the invitation thus given, will make the
+horse rise. As his fore quarters ascend, the lady is to advance forward;
+the back being bent inward, and the head kept upright and steady. A
+moment before the horse's hind legs quit the ground, the body should be
+inclined backward; the rider taking care not to bear heavily on the
+reins, lest the horse force her hand, and pull her forward on his neck,
+or over his head, as he descends. When the leap is cleared, the rider
+should bring the horse together, if at all disunited, and resume her
+usual position.
+
+In the flying leap, the seat is to be preserved as in the standing leap;
+except, that it is needless, and, indeed, unwise, to advance the body as
+the horse rises: because, in the flying leap, the horse's position,
+especially in a low leap, is more horizontal than when he rises at the
+bar from a halt; and there is great danger of the rider being thrown, if
+she lean forward, in case the horse suddenly check himself and refuse
+the leap; which circumstance occasionally happens. The waist should be
+brought forward, and the body suffered to take that inclination backward
+which will be produced by the spring forward of the horse. The horse's
+head is to be guided towards the bar, and the reins yielded to him as he
+advances.
+
+The proper distance for a horse to run previous to the leap, is from ten
+to fifteen yards. If he be well trained, he may be suffered to take his
+own pace; but it is necessary to animate an indolent animal into a
+short, collected gallop, and urge him, by strong aids, to make the leap.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+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, from a middle-sized horse: but, it is
+better not to do so if the animal be high.
+
+The right hand of the lady, when preparing to dismount, is to receive
+the reins, and be carried to the off crutch of the saddle. The reins
+should be held sufficiently tight to restrain the horse from advancing;
+and yet not so firm as to cause him to back or rear; nor uneven, lest it
+make him swerve.
+
+The lady should next disengage her right leg, clearing the dress as she
+raises her knee; remove her right hand to the near crutch; and then take
+her foot from the stirrup.
+
+Thus far the process is the same whether the lady dismount with or
+without assistance.
+
+If the lady be assisted, the gentleman, or groom, may either lift her
+completely off the saddle to the ground; or, taking her left hand in his
+left hand, place his right hand on her waist, and, as she springs off,
+support her in her descent. She may also alight, if she be tolerably
+active, by placing her right hand in that of the gentleman (who, in
+this case, must stand at the horse's shoulder), and descend without any
+other support. Should there be any objection to, or difficulty found in
+alighting by either of these modes, the gentleman, or groom, may place
+himself immediately in front of the lady, who is then to incline
+sufficiently forward for him to receive her weight, by placing his hands
+under her arms, and thus easing her descent.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+If the lady dismount without assistance, after the hand is carried from
+the off to the near crutch, she must turn round so as to be able to
+take, in her left hand, a lock of the horse's mane; by the aid of which,
+and by bearing her right hand on the crutch, she may alight without
+difficulty. In dismounting thus, without assistance, she must turn as
+she quits the saddle, so as to descend with her face towards the horse's
+side.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+By whatever mode the lady dismounts, but especially if she do so without
+assistance, she should--to prevent any unpleasant shock on reaching the
+ground--bend her knees, suffer her body to be perfectly pliant, and
+alight on her toes, or the middle of her feet. She is neither to
+relinquish her hold, nor is the gentleman, or groom, if she make use of
+his ministry, to withdraw his hand, until she is perfectly safe on the
+ground.
+
+In order to dismount with grace and facility, more practice is required
+than that of merely descending from the saddle after an exercise or a
+ride. It is advisable to mount and dismount, for some days, several
+times, successively, either before or after the ride;--commencing with
+the most simple modes, until a sufficient degree of confidence and
+experience is acquired to perform either of these operations in a proper
+manner, with the mere aid of the assistant's hand.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+CONCLUDING REMARKS.
+
+
+The lady should perform her first lessons with a snaffle bridle, holding
+the reins in both hands, and without a stirrup. When she has acquired
+some degree of practice in the balance, aids, and general government of
+the horse, she may use a bridle with double reins, and hold them in the
+left hand, managing them as we have directed in some of the preceding
+pages.
+
+If the lady be but in her noviciate in the art, we strongly advise her
+not to place too much reliance on her own expertness, or to attempt too
+much at first; but, rather, to proceed steadily, and be satisfied with a
+gradual improvement; as it is utterly impossible to acquire perfection
+in the nicer operations of riding, before the minor difficulties are
+overcome.
+
+The lady, in all cases, should recollect that her horse requires
+occasional haltings and relaxation. The time occupied in each lesson
+should be in proportion to the pace and animation in which it has been
+performed. If the exercise be varied and highly animated, the horse
+should rest to recruit himself at the expiration of twelve or fifteen
+minutes; when refreshed, by halting, he may be made to go through
+another of the same, or rather less duration, and then be put up for
+the day. It would be still better to make two halts in the same space of
+time;--the exercise taken in such a lesson being equal to three hours'
+moderate work. When the lessons are less animated, they may be made
+proportionally longer; but, it is always better, if the pupil err in
+this respect, to do so on the side of brevity, than, by making her
+lessons too long, to harass her horse.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+WHITEHEAD AND COMP^Y. PRINTERS, 76, FLEET STREET, LONDON.
+
+
+
+
+Transcriber's Note
+
+The following typographical errors have been corrected.
+
+29  diminutive poney changed to diminutive pony
+47  dependance changed to dependence
+75  inner rein is be changed to inner rein should be
+
+
+
+
+
+End of Project Gutenberg's The Young Lady's Equestrian Manual, by Anonymous
+
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