■an

i»WMi itfjtLC .ii.uumw—',!*

h-r

SUver Medal ^^^j^Kf^M^^^Wcy Paris 1878.

Vienna 1873. ^7^&in'^:^^'r\^^ Philaiielpliia 1876.

SWAINE ADENEY,

WHIP MANUFACTURERS,

To THE QUEEN, THE PRINCE and PRINCESS
OF WALES and the ROYAL FAMILY,

185, PICCADILLY,

LONDON, W.

I

WHIPS OF EVERY DESCRIPTION FOR
RIDING, DRIVING, & HUNTING, &c.

WHIPS MOUNTED IN GOLD AND SILVER, FOR
PRESENTATION, ALWAYS ON HAND.

HUNTING FLASKS, HOilNS, 6cc.

TUFTS UNIVERSITY LIBRARIES

^■i 3 9090 013 421 496

THE

NEW LEVEL-SEAT SIDE SADDLE,

With Adjustable Third Crutch and other Improvements,

As recommended and used by Mrs. Power O'Douogbue, Authoress of

"Ladies on Horseback," &c. &c.

This perfect Side Saddle is moderate in price, light and elegant in
appearance, faultless in materials and workmanship, ensures ease, comfort,
and security to the rider, and obviates sore backs with horses.

MADE TO ORDER AND MEASURE BY

F. V. NICHOLLS & CO.,

Hunting & Military Saddlers,

Manufacturers of Harness, Horse Clothing, Whips,

and Stable Requisites,

2, JERMYN STREET, HAYMARKET,

The Gentleman's narrow-grip "Brough" Saddle, any size and

weight, from £7, complete.

The Gentleman Eider's Racing Saddle, .£3 to M, complete,

very roomy, with Buckskin Flaps, &c.

THE IMPROVED NEWMARKET & ING GUY SNAFFLE BRIDLES,

FOR PULLING HORSES.

Branch Business : 18, ARTILLERY PLACE, WOOLWICH.

ROWLANDS' ODONTO OR PEARL

DENTIFRICE

has been celebrated for more than half a century as the best, purest, and
most fragrant preparation for the teeth ever made. Health depends in a
great measure upon the soundness of the teeth, and all dentists will allow
that neither washes nor pastes can possibly be as eflBcacious for polishing
the teeth and keeping them sound and white as a pure and non-gritty
tooth-powder ; such Kowlands' Odonto has always proved itself to be.
Great care must be taken to ask for ROWLANDS' ODONTO, of
20, Hatton Garden, London, and to see that each box bears the 3d.
Government Stamp, without which no ODONTO is genuine.

ROWLANDS' MACASSAR OIL

is universally in high repute for its unprecedented success during the last
80 years in promoting the growth, restoring, improving, and beautifying
the human hair. For children it is especially recommended, as forming
the basis of a beautiful head of hair, while its introduction into the
nursery of Eoyalty is a suflEicient proof of its merits. It is perfectly free
from any lead, mineral, or poisonous ingredients.

ROWLANDS' KALYDOR

produces a beautiful pure and healthy complexion, eradicates freckles,
tan, prickly heat, sunburn, &c., and is most cooling and refreshing to the
face, hands, and arms during hot weather.

AsJc any Perfumery dealer for E0WLAND8* Articles, of 20,
Hatton Garden, London, and avoid spurious worthless imitations.

MESSRS. JAY

Mave tye J)onour to solwit a
visit from tf)e jBeau Monde to
inspect a variety of £kgant
Silk -Costumes, Mantles, ^r-
tistit Millinery, Mats, also
Novelties in ^ress, specially
selected in Paris from t1)e
best ^rtistes representing t^e
JFasUons of tl)e Season.

243, 245, 247, 249, 251, & 253, Regent Street, W.

a

W. FAULKNER,

LADIES' & GENTLEMEN'S

HUNTING, SHOOTING, & WALKING

BOOT MAKER,

52, SOUTH MOLTON STREET, BOND STREET, W.

Manufacturer of the Celebrated Edinburgh Boot Varnish,
Blacking, and Waterproof Leather Dresshig.

MILITARY BOOTS.

The *'Bective" Boots and Shoes to match Costumes.

Improved Flexura
Boots.

Mountain Boots.

Skating Boots.

Lawn Tennis
Shoes.

Oxford Shoes.

Slippers to any
style.

LADIES' RIDING & HUNTING BOOTS OF EVERY DESCRIPTION,

The Shape of the Feet taken and Lasts Modelled on the w,ost approved
anatomical principles, and kept exclusively for each customer.

W. Faulkner begs most respectfully to call the attention of Ladies and
Gentlemen to the BOOT TREE Branch. Boot Trees assist to keep the
boots in proper shape, preventing them from wrinkling and shrinking after
they have been worn in the wet ; they can be cleaned better, and do not
require so much blacking, thereby preventing the deleterious effect
produced by its frequent application.

Iiasts and Boot Trees of every description Manufactured on the

Premises.

Ladies residing in the Country can have Boots or Boot Trees sent their
exact size by forwarding an Old Boot by Post.

To H.R.H. PRINCESS CHRISTIAN.

"CORSETS." *

280, REGENT STREET, LONDON",

AND

56a, old STEYNE, BRIGHTON.

RIDING CORSETS OF EVERY DESCRIPTION

MADE TO ORDER.

( EUE EAMBUTEAU, PAEIS.
Manufactokies ^ ^^^^^ ^^g^^^ STREET, LONDON.

HOW TO RIDE

AND

SCHOOL A HORSE

BY

E. L. ANDERSON.

Crown ^vo, Price^ 2^. 6c?.

" It requires the study of only a very few pages of this book
to convince the reader that the author thoroughly understands
his subject." — Illustrated Sporting and Dramatic News.

" Concise, practical directions for riding and training, by
which the pupil may become his own master." — Land and
Water.

'* A useful and carefully -written volume." — Sporting Times.

" It is sensible and practical." — Whitehall Review.

" We cordially commend this book." — Indian Daily News.

" The work is a good riding-master's book, with no super-
fluous words, and with plain, straightforward directions
throughout. The chapter on ' The Walk and the Trot ' seems
to us especially practical and good." — Farmer.

" Goes straight to the core of the subject, and is throughout
replete with sound sense." — Home News.

" Cannot fail to be of service to the young equestrian, while
it contains many hints that may be advantageously borne in
mind by experienced riders." — Scotsman.

" Mr. Anderson gives good practical advice, and we com-
mend the work to the attention of our readers." — Live Stock
Journal.

London : W. H. ALLEN & CO., 13 Waterloo Place.

THE ILLUSTRATED HORSE DOCTOR.

Being an Accurate and Detailed Account, accompanied by more
than 400 Pictorial Representations, characteristic of the various
Diseases to which the Equine Race are subjected ; together
with the latest Mode of Treatment, and all the requisite Pre-
scriptions written in Plain English.

By EDWARD MAYKEW, M.B.C.V.S.

Svo.j 18s. 6d.
Contents. — The Brain and Nervous System. — The Eyes. —
The Mouth.— The Nostrils.— The Throat.— The Chest and its
contents. — The Stomach, Liver, &c. — The Abdomen. — The
Urinary Organs. — The Skin. — Specific Diseases. — Limbs. — The
Eeet. — Injuries. — Operations.

" The book contains nearly 600 pages of valuable matter, which reflects
great credit on its author, and, owing to its practical details, the
result of deep scientific research, deserves a place in the library of
medical, veterinary, and non-professional readers." — Field.

" The book furnishes at once the bane and the antidote, as the drawings
show the horse not only suffering from every kind of disease, but
in the different stages of it, while the alphabetical summary at the
end gives the cause, symptoms and treatment of each." — Illustrated
London News.

ILLUSTRATED HORSE MANAGEMENT.

Containing Descriptive Remarks upon Anatomy, Medicine,
Shoeing, Teeth, Food, Vices, Stables ; likewise a plain account
of the situation, nature, and value of the various points ;
together with comments on grooms, dealers, breeders, breakers,
and trainers. Embellished with more than 400 engravings
from original designs made expressly for this work.

By E. MAYKEW.

A New Edition, Revised and Improved, 8vo., 125.,
By J. I. LUPTON, M.B.C.V.S.

Contents : — The body of the horse anatomically considered.
Physic. — The mode of administering it, and minor operations.
Shoeing. — Its origin, its uses, and its varieties. The Teeth. —
Their natural growth, and the abuses to which they are liable.
Food. — The fittest time for feeding, ^nd the kind of food which
the horse naturally consumes. The evils which are occasioned
by modern stables. The faults inseparable from stables. The
so-called "incapacitating vices," which are the results of injury
or of disease. Stables as they should be. (3^room5.— Their
prejudices, their injuries, and their duties. Points. — Their
relative importance, and where to look for their develop-
ment. Breeding. — Its inconsistencies and its disappointments.
Breaking and Training. — Their errors and their results.

LONDON: W. H. ALLEN & CO., 18 WATERLOO PLACE.

SELECTION J^^ROM

W. H. Allen & Co.'s Catalogue.

SKETCHES FROM NIPAL. Historical and

Descriptive, with Anecdotes of Court Life and Wild
Sports of the country in the Time of Maharaja Jang
Bahadui', G.C.B. With lUustrations of EeHgious Monu-
ments, Architecture, and Scenery, from the Author's own
Drawings. By the late Henry Ambrose Oldfield, M.D.,
many years Eesidency Surgeon at Khatmandu, Nipal.
2 vols. 8vo., 365.

" The work is full of facts, intelligently observed and faithfully
recorded." — Saturday Revieiv.

" We have nothing but unquaHfied praise for the manner in "which
Dr. Oldfield's manuscript has been edited and published by his
relatives. The sketches have just claims to rank very high
amongst the standard works on the Kingdoms of High Asia." —
Spectator.

RECORDS OF SPORT AND MILITARY LIFE

IN WESTEEN INDIA. By the late Lieutenant-Colonel

G. T. Eraser, formerly of the 1st Bombay Fusiliers, and

more recently attached to the Staff of H.M.'s Indian Army.

With an Introduction by Colonel G. B. Malleson, C.S.I.

Crown 8vo., 7s. Qd.
»

" The style is free from humbug and affectation, and none of the
stories are incredible. . . Some of the anecdotes about the
early life of Outram confirm the opinion of that gallant officer
held by his contemporaries." — Saturday Review.

" Records his experience in a very simple and unaffected manner,
and he hag stirring stories to tell." — Spectator.

THIRTEEN YEARS AMONG THE WILD

BEASTS OF INDIA ; THEIK HAUNTS AND HABITS.
From Personal Observation ; with an account of the Modes
of Capturing and Taming Wild Elephants. By G. P.
Sanderson, Officer in Charge of the Government Elephant
Keddahs at Mysore. With 21 full-page Illustrations and
Three Maps. Second Edition. Fop. 4to. £1 5s.

LATCHFORD & WiLLSON,

11, UPPER ST. MARTIN'S LANE,

LONDON, W.C.

By Appointment to HER MAJESTY, H.R.H. THE PRINCE

OF WALES, &c. &c.

MAKERS

OF ALL KINDS OF

BRIDLE-BITS, STIRRUPS, & SPURS.

ALL MODERN FASHIONS, ARMY REGULATIONS, Ac.

THE LORINER: Latchford on Bridle-bits and the Bitting

of Horses. Illustrated, 7s.

PRIZE MEDAL, PARIS.

Just Published^ Price 2s. 6c?.,
A SYSTEM OF

SCHOOL TRAiraO FOR HORSES.

By E. L. ANDEBSON,

AUTHOR OP " HOW TO RIDE AND SCHOOL A HORSE."

" He is well worthy of a hearing." — BelVs Life.

'* There is no reason why the careful reader should not be
able, by the help of this little book, to train as well as ride his
horse." — Land and Water.

" Each successive stage of the school system is carefully
traced, and anyone accustomed to the management of horses
will therefore be able to follow and appreciate the value of
Mr. Anderson's kindly method of training." — Daily Chronicle,

London : W. H. ALLEN & CO., 13 Waterloo Place.

HOUSE! STABLE! FIELD!

¥

T CLARK'S ELASTIC WATER-
. PROOF POLISH, for Hunting,
Shooting, and Fishing Boots ; also for
Ladies' and Gentlemen's ordinary Walk-
ing Boots and Shoes.

W CLARK'S BROWN BOOT-TOP
• FLUID, for restoring Brown Top-
Boots to their original colour ; also a
Cream for Polishing, making them equal
to new.

W CLARK'S BREECHES PASTE,
. for softening and preserving
Hunting Breeches, Gloves, &c.

W CLARK'S BOOT-TOP POWDERS,
0 of various colours. White, Pink,
Rose Pink, Straw, Salmon, Natural, Flesh,
Cream, Drab, Melton Brown, three colours
of Brown, all of the newest description.

W CLARK'S LIQUID SHOE BLACK-
• ING.the best in the world for soften-
ing, preserving, and superior brilliancy.
W CLARK'S WATERPROOF HAR-
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neither Oil nor Dye.

W CLARK'S Newly -invented PASTE,
• for Harness, Patent and Enamelled
Leathers. This preparation does not
wash off, it renders the leather soft, and
produces a polish superior to any of its
kind in existence.

W CLARK'S PLATE POWDER, for
• Cleansing and Restoring Plate,
Brass, and Metals of every description.

W CLARK'S SADDLE PASTE, for
• Softening, Preserving, and Beauti-
fying Saddles, Bridles, and every descrip-
tion of Brown Leather, &c.

W CLARK'S METROPOLITAN
. POLISH. This article is used for
Ladies' and Gentlemen's Patent, Enamel,
Bronze Glace, Morocco, Kid Boots and
Shoes, producing a superior polish.

W CLARK'S PATENT KID RE-
, VIVER, for cleaning Black Kid
Boots and Shoes, making them equal to
new, also for reviving all kinds of Black,
Blue, and Dark SLlks,removes grease spots.

W CLARK'S NE PLUS ULTRA
, RAVEN JET FRENCH VAR-
NISH, for Ladies' and Gentlemen's
Evening Dress and ordinary Walking
Boots and Shoes, producing a most
brilliant polish, warranted not to crack
or soil the finest Cambric.

W CLARK'S BRASS PASTE pro-
• duces a fine polish upon Brass,
Copper, Tin, Pewter, Britannia Metal,
Coach Glasses, and Windows.

W CLARK'S WATERPROOF POUCH
. PASTE, for Pouches, Belts,
Straps, Knapsacks, Canteen Coverings,
Boots, Leggings &c.

W CLARK'S EMBROCATION FOR
. HORSES AND CATTLE, gives
immediate relief in all cases of Lameness,
Sore Throat, Influenza, and Rheumatism.

W. CLARK'S
PATENT HORSE CLIPPERS.

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By Appointment ^^^f^^^^t^^^ ^•' ^PJPo^'ntment

to H.M. THE QUEEN ^W^'W ^|^^^ ^^ ^M. THE QUEEN

OF ENGLAND. ^^^^^^^^^^ ^^ DENMARK.

REDFERN,

LADIES' TAILORS,

To H.B.H. THE PRINCESS OF WALES and H.I.R.
THE E MP BESS OF RUSSIA,

26, CONDUIT STREET,

Bond Street, London, W.

"<* ■ I ■ 11 I ., I . ■ ■ I. I ■ II ■ ■ - . -I- ^PM^.^M— III IIIM ■

SPECIALITIES—

RIDING HABITS,

From specially prepared Melton Cloths, &c.

John Redfern and Sons would particularly draw the
attention of Ladies to their Improvements in the cut of Riding
Habit Skirts, on the proper set of which depends the whole
effect of the Habit. These improvements, while maintaining a
tight, well-fitting appearance, give perfect comfort and safety to
the rider.

DRIVING COATS,

From Waterproofed Box-Cloths, Faced Cloths, Tweeds, &c.

These, together with J. R. and Son's Improved Newmarket
Coats, will be found most useful for driving to meet and for
constant wear.

Branch Businesses at Cowes, Isle of Wight,
and 242, Rue de Rivoli (Place de la Concorde), Paris.

" The most noted Firm of Ladies' Tailors in the world, and, be it aaid, the
most original." — Extract from Court Journal.

By Appointment ^^^l^r'^^^^^^^T^^W ^^ Appointment

toH.M. THE QUEEN ^W^W[^JP^& to HM. THE QUEEN
OF ENGLAND. i^^^^lf^^^^S OF DENMARK.

REDFERN,

LADIES' TAILORS,

To H.E.H. THE PRINCESS OF WALES and H.I.H.
THE EMPRESS OF RUSSIA,

26, CONDUIT STREET,

BOND STREET, LONDON, W.

SPECIALITY—

YACHTING & TRAVELLING GOWNS.

#% From original Colourings in Cloth and Serge, &c.

The Firm personally sitpeiHntend every order, and a perfect fit is guaranteed.

N.B. — On the occasion of the visit to England of H.S.H. the PrinceBS
Helena of Waldeck, in March 1882, John Kedfern and Sons had the honour
of making for Her Serene Highness.

On the visit of H.l.M. the Empress Eugenie, accompanied by the late
Napoleon III., J. R. and Sons had a similar honour.

On the visit of H.I.H. the Crown Princess of Germany, J. R. and Sons
had the honour of making for Her Imperial Highness and all the Princesses.

On the visit to the Queen of T.R.H. the Princesses of Hesse Darmstadt,
J. R. and Sons had the honour of making for their Royal Highnesses.

On the visit to Her Majesty of the Daughters of H.R.H. the late Princess
Alice, J. R. and Sons had a similar honour.

Branch Businesses at Cowes, Isle of Wight,
and 242, Rue de Rivoli (Place de la Concorde), Paris.

" The most noted Firm of Ladies' Tailors in the world, and, he it said, the
most original." — Extract from Cotwf Journal.

LADIES' RIDING BOOTS.

Established
1839.

M. THIERRY,

LADIES' AND GENTLEMEN'S

Established
1839.

Boot & Shoe Manufacturer

LONDON,

C 70, QUADRANT, EEGENT STREET, W.,

(. AND 48, GRESHAM STREET, E.G.
MANCHESTER, 2, St. Ann's Sq. ; LIVERPOOL, 5, Bold St.

Complete Illustrated Price Lists Post Free.

NO INFERIOR ARTICLES KEPT.

ALL GOODS WARRANTED AND

MARKED IN PLAIN FIGURES.

THE LARGEST STOCK OF
BEST QUALITY GOODS IN ENGLAND
ALWAYS READY. 26,000 PAIRS
TO CHOOSE FROM.

LADIES' RIDING BOOT, 50s., LADIES' NEWMARKET RIDING

all Patent or witli Morocco Legs. BOOT, Cloth Legs, 50s.

Note. — To order, 2s. per pair extra for fitting and keeping special la^ts.

LADIES' SPURS, Silver Plate, Strap, & Buckle complete, 9s. 6d.

PRICE LIST of a few Leading Articles, Ladies^ Department : —

SHOES.

Oxford Tie, Morocco . . 14s. Od.
Do. do. Glace 16s. Od.

Do. Eichelieu, Louis XV. Heels 23s.
Patent Court Heels and Bows 8s. 6d.
Glace Kid, Embroidered . lis. 6d.

BOOTS.

Button or Lace .... 17s. Od.
Do. do. Hessians, from 19s. 6d.
Do. do. Cork Clumps 24s. Od.
Do. High Glace Louis

XV. Heels . . 278., 29s.

A GREAT VARIETY of very Fashionable Ladies' Dress Shoes in Glace
Kid or Satin (various Colours), Embroidered Jet, Gold, Steel, or Bijou.

A LARGE ASSORTMENT OF CHILDREN'S BOOTS AND SHOES,
AND EVERY VARIETY OF GENTS' RIDING, WALKING, & DRESS BOOTS & SHOES.

Goods sent on approval on receipt of satisfactory references (a London tradesman
preferred), or cheque for tlie amount. An old boot or shoe should be sent as a
guida for size, paper patterns and other measurements being of little use. Goods
that do not suit will be exchanged or the money returned.

PIVE PER CENT. DISCOUNT POR CASK.

PLEASE NOTE— 70, REGENT STREET QUADRANT, as there is another
house of the same Surname in the street.

LADIES ON HOESEBACK,

LEAKNING, PARK-EIDING, AND HUNTING,

WITH

HINTS UPON COSTUME, AND NUMEROUS

ANECDOTES.

BT

MES. POWEK O'DONOGHUE

(Nannie Lambert).

AUTHORESS OF "THE KNAVE OF CLUBS,"
" HOBSES AND HORSEMEN," " GRANDFATHER'S HUNTER,"
"ONE IN TEN THOUSAND," "SPRING LEAVES,"
" TH00GHT8 ON THE TALMUD," ETC., ETC. •

LONDON:
W. H. ALLEN & CO., 13, WATERLOO PLACE, S.W,

1881.

[^All rights reserved.']

INTEI) BY W. H. ALLEN AND CO., 13, WATERLOO PLACB, S.W.

TO MT FRIEND

ALFEED E. T. WATSON, ESQ.,

AUTHOR OF ** SKETCHES IN THE HUNTING FIELD," ETC.,

TO WHOM I OWE

MUCH OF MY SUCCESS AS A WRITER,

THESE PAGES

ARE GRATEFULLY INSCRIBED.

INTKODUCTION.

In preparing this work for the press, I may
state that it is composed chiefly of a series of
papers on horses and their riders, which
appeared a short time since in the columns of
The Illustrated Sporting and Dramatic News,
How they originally came to be written and
published may not prove uninteresting.

One day, in the middle of February 1880, a
goodly company, comprising many thousands
of persons, assembled upon, the lawn of a
nobleman's residence in the vicinity of Dub-
lin; ostensibly for the purpose of hunting,
but in reality to gaze at and chronicle the

VI INTRODUCTION.

doings of a very distinguished foreign lady^
who had lately come to our shores. I was
there, of course; and whilst we waited for
the Imperial party, I amused myself hy
watching the moving panorama, and taking^
notes of costume and effect. Everybody who
could procure anything upon which to ride,
from a racehorse to a donkey, was there
that day, and vehicles of all descriptions
blocked np every available inch of the lordly
avenues and well-kept carriage-drives.

There is for me so great an attraction in a
number of " ladies on horseback " that I
looked at them, and at them alone. One
sees gentlemen riders every hour in the day,
but ladies comparatively seldom; every
hunting morning finds about a hundred and
fifty mounted males ready for the start, and
only on an average about six mounted females,
of whom probably not more than the haK will
ride to hoimds. This being the case, I always

INTKODUCTION, VU

look most particularly at that which is the
greater novelty, nor am I by any means
singular in doing so.

On the day of which I write, however,
ladies on horseback were by no means un-
common : I should say there were at least
two hundred present upon the lawn. Some
rode so well, and were so beautifully turned
out, that the most hypercritical could find
no fault ; but of the majority — what can I
say ? Alas ! nothing that would sound at all
favourable. Such horses, such saddles, such
rusty bridles, such riding-habits, such hats,
whips, and gloves ; and, above all, such
coiffures! My very soul was sorry. I could
not laugh, as some others were doing. I felt
too melancholy for mirth. It seemed to me
most grievous that my own sex (many of
them so young and beautiful) should be thus
held up to ridicule. I asked myself was it
thus in other places ; and I came to London

TUl INTEODUCTION.

in the spring, and walked in the Eow, and
gazed, and took notes, and was not satisfied.
Perhaps I was too critic aL There was very
much to praise, certainly, but there was also
much wherewith to find fault. The style of
riding was bad ; the style of dressing was
incomparably worse. The well-got-up only
threw into darker shadow the notable defects
visible in the forms and trappings of their
less fortunate sisterhood. I questioned myself
as to how this could be best remedied.
Eemonstrance was impossible — advice equally
so. Why could not somebody write a book
for lady equestrians, or a series of papers
which might appear in the pages of some
fashionable magazine or journal, patronised
and read by them ? The idea seemed a good
one, but I lacked time to carry it out, and so it
rested in embryo for many months. Last
June, whilst recovering from serious illness,
my cherished project returned to my mind.

INTKODUCTION . Ix

T^orbidden to write, and too weak to hold a
pen, I strove feebly with a pencil to trace my
thoughts upon odd scraps of paper, which I
thrust away in my desk without any definite
idea as to what should eventually become of
them. In July, whilst staying at a country
house near Shrewsbury, I one day came upon
these shorthand jottings, and, having leisure-
time upon my hands, set to work and put
them into form. A line to the Editor of The
Illustrated Sporting and Dramatic News, with
whom, I may state, I had had no previous
acquaintance, brought an immediate reply, to
send my work for consideration. I did so;
called upon him by appointment when I came
a few days later to London; made all arrange-
ments in a three-minutes interview ; and the
first of my series of papers appeared shortly
after. That they were successful, far beyond
their deserts, is to me a proud boast. On
liheir conclusion numerous firms negotiated

X INTRODUCTION.

with me for the copyright : with what result
is known ; and here to my pubhshers I tender
my best thanks.

In arranging now these writings — put
together and brought before the public at a
time when I had apparently many years of
active life before me — it is to me a melan-
choly reflection that the things of which they
treat are gone from my eyes, — for alas ! I can
ride no more. Never again may my heart be-
gladdened with the music of the hounds, or
my frame invigorated by the exercise which
I so dearly loved. An accident, sudden and
unexpected, has deprived me of my strength,
and left me to speak in mournful whispers of
what was for long my happiest theme. Yet
why repine where so much is left ? It is but
another chapter in our life's history ! We
love and cling to one pui'suit — and it passes
from us ; then another absorbs our attention,
— it, too, vanishes ; and so on — perhaps

INTEODUCTION. XI.

midway to the end — Tintil the ^* looking back "
becomes so filled with saddened memories,
that the *' looking forward" is alone left.
And so we turn our wistful eyes where they
might never have been directed, had the
prospect behind us been less dark.

A few more words, and I close my pre-
liminary observations and commence my
subject. 1 cannot but be aware, from the
nature of the correspondence which has
flowed in upon me, that although far the
greater number of my readers have agreed
with me and entirely coincided in my views,
not a few have been found to cavil. Let not
such think that I am oblivious of their good
intentions because I remain unconvinced by
their arguments, and still prefer to maintain
my own opinions, which I have not ventured
to set forth without mature dehberation, and
the most substantial reasons for holding them
in fixity of tenure. I have spent some

Xll INTRODUCTION.

considerable time in turning over in my mind
the advisability, or otherwise, of publishing,
as a sort of appendix to this volume, a selec-
tion from the letters which were printed in
The Illustrated Sporting and Dramatic Neivs with
reference to my writings in that journal.
After much deliberation I have decided upon
suffering the entire number, with a few
trifling exceptions, to appear. They only
form a very small proportion of the volumi-
nous correspondence with which the Editor
and myseK were favoured ; but, such as they
are, I give them — together with my replies,
— not merely because they set forth the views
and impressions of various persons upon
topics of universal interest, but because I
conceive that a large amount of useful in-
formation may be gleaned from them, and
they may also serve to amuse my lady readers,
who will doubtless be interested in the
numerous queries which I was called upon

INTEODUCTION. xiii

to answer. Whether or not I have been able
to fight my battles and maintain my cause,
must be for others to determine.

I likewise subjoin a little paper on ** Hunting
in Ireland " — also already published — which
brought me many letters : some of them from
persons whose word should carry undoubted
weight, fully coinciding in and substantiating
my views with regard to the cutting up of
grass-lands ; whilst further on will be found my
article entitled " Hunting in America," origin-
ally published in Life^ and copied from that
journal into so many papers throughout the
kingdom, and abroad, that it is now universally
known, and cannot be here presented in the
form of a novelty, — but is given for the benefit
of those who may not have chanced to meet
with it, and for whom the subject of American
sports and pastimes may happen to possess

interest.

N. P. O'D.

CONTENTS.

PAKT I.

LEARNING.

CHAPTER I.

A Popular Error. — Excellence in Riding attainable
without any Youthful Knowledge of the Art. —
The Empress of Austria. — Her Proficiency. —
Her Palace. — Her Occupations. — Her Dispo-
sition.— Her Thoughts and Opinions.— The Age
at which to learn. — Courage inditpeisable. —
Taste a Necessity ......

CHAPTER II.

Learner's Costume. — The Best Teacher. — Your
Bridle. — Your Saddle. — Your Stirrup. — Danger

XVI CONTENTS.

from "Safety-stirrup." — A Terrible Situation.
— Learning to Ride without any support for the
Foot • • 11

CHAPTER III.

Mounting. — Holding the Reins. — Position in the
Saddle. — Use of the Whip. — Trotting. — Canter-
ing.— Riding from Balance. — Use of the Stirrup.
Leaping. — Whyte Melville's opinion . • • 28

PAET II.

PARK AND ROAD RIDING.

CHAPTER IV.

How to Dress. — A Country -girl's ideas upon the sub-
ject.— How to put on your Riding-gear. — How
to preserve it. — First Road-ride. — Backing. —
Rearing, and how to prevent it . • • .44

CHAPTER V.

Bunning away. — Three Dangerous Adventures. —
How to act when placed in Circumstances of

CONTENTS. XVn

PAGE

Peril.— How to Eide a PuUer.— Through the
City.— To a Meet of Hounds.— Boastful Ijadies.
— A Brasf2:art's Resource ^^

*oo'

PAKT III.

HUNTING.

CHAPTER VI.

Hunting-Gear. — Necessary Regard for Safe Shoeing.
Drive to the Meet. — Scene on arriving. — A Word
with the Huntsman. — A Good Pilot. — The
Covert-side. — Disappointment. — A Long Trot . 81

CHAPTER VII.

Hounds in Covert.— The First Fence. — Follow your
Pilot. — A River-bath. — A Wise Precaution. — A
Label advisable.— Wall and Water Jumpmg.—
Advice to Fallen Riders.— Hogging.— More Tail 98-

CHAPTER Vlli.

Holding on to a Prostrate Horse.— Is it Wise or
otherwise ? — An Indiscreet Jump. — A Difficult

b

XVUl CONTENTS.

PAGE

Finish. — The Dangers of Marshy Grounds. —
Encourage Humanity. — A Eeclaimed Cabby ! . Ill

CHAPTEE IX.

Selfishness in the Field. — Fording a Eiver. — Shirking
a Fence. — Over-riding the Hounds. — Treatment
of Tired Hunters. — Bigwig and the Major. —
Naughty Bigwig. — Hapless Major ; . . 120

CHAPTEE X.

Feeding Horses.— Forage-biscuits. — Irish Peasantry.
— A Cunning Idiot. — A Cabin Supper. — The
Eoguish Mule. — A Day at Courtown. — Paddy's
Opinion of the Empress 131

CHAPTEE XI.

The Double-rise.— Pointing out the Eight Foot.— The
force of Habit. — Various kinds of Fault-finding.
— Mr. Sturgess' Pictures. — An English Harvest-
home. — A Jealous Shrew. — A Shy Blacksmith.
— How Irishmen get Partners at a Dance . . 144

CHAPTEE XII.

Subject of Feeding resumed. — Cooked Food recom-
mended.— Effects of Eaw Oats upon " Pleader."
— Servants' Objections. — Snaffle-bridle, and Bit-

CONTENTS. Xix

and-Bridoon.— Kindness to the Poor. — An Un-
sympathetic Lady.— An Ungallant Captain.—
What is a Gentleman ? — Au Revoir ! . .159

PAET IV.

HUNTING IN lEELAND I73

PAET V.
HUNTING IN AMERICA 183

COERESPONDENCE 192

LADIES ON HOKSEBACK.

P A E T I

LEAKNING.

CHAPTEK I.

A POPULAR ERROR. — EXCELLENCE IN RIDING AT-
TAINABLE WITHOUT ANY YOUTHFUL KNOW-
LEDGE OF THE ART. THE EMPRESS OF

AUSTRIA. HER PROFICIENCY. HER PALACE.

HER OCCUPATIONS. HER DISPOSITION. HER

THOUGHTS AND OPINIONS. — THE AGE AT WHICH
TO LEARN. — COURAGE INDISPENSABLE. — TASTE
A NECESSITY.

It is my belief that hints to ladies from a
lady, upon a subject which now so miiversally
occupies the female mind — hints, not offered
in any cavilling nor carping spirit, but with an
affectionate and sisterly regard for the interests
of those addressed — cannot fail to be appre-
ciated, and must become popular. Men write

1

LADIES ON HOKSEBACK.

very well for men, but in writing for us ladies
they cannot, however willing, enter into all
the Httle deHcacies and minutiae of our tastes
and feehngs, and so haK the effect is lost.

I do not purpose entering upon any discus-
sion, nor, indeed, touching more than very
lightly upon the treatment and management
of the horse. A subject so exhaustive lies
totally outside the limits of my pen, and has,
moreover, been so ably treated by men of
knowledge and experience, as to render one
word further respecting the matter almost
superfluous. I shall therefore content myself
with surmising that the horses with which we
may have to do throughout these remarks — be
they school-horses, roadsters, or hunters — are
at least sound, good-tempered, and properly
trained. Their beauty and other attributes
we shall take for granted, and not trouble
ourselves about.

And now, in addressing my readers, I shall
endeavour to do so as though I spoke to each
separately, and so shall adopt the term ^^ you,"
^s being at once friendly and concise.

My subject shall be divided into three

LEABNING.

heads. First, the acquirement of the eques-
trian art; second, road and park riding; third,
hunting; with a few hints upon the costume,
&c. required for each, and a sHght sprinkHng
of anecdote here and there to enliven the
whole.

I shall commence by saying that it is a
mistake to imagine that riding, in order to be
properly learnt, must be begun in youth : that
nobody can excel as a horsewoman who has
not accustomed herself to the saddle from a
mere child. On the contrary some of the
finest equestriennes the world has ever produced
have known little or nothing of the art until
the spring-time of their Hfe was past. Her
Imperial Majesty the Empress of Austria, and
Hkewise her sister the ex-Queen of Naples,
cared nothing about riding until comparatively
late in life. I know little, except through
hearsay, of the last-named lady's proficiency
in the saddle, but having frequently v^itnessed
that of the former, and having also been
favoured with a personal introduction at the
gracious request of the Empress, I can
imhesitatingly say that anything more superb

1 *

4 LADIES ON HORSEBACK.

than her style of riding it would be impossible^
to conceive. The manner in which sha
mounts her horse, sits him, manages him, and
bears him safely through a difficult run, is
something which must be seen to be under-
stood. Her courage is amazing. Indeed,,
I have been informed that she finds as^
little difficulty in standing upon a bare-backed
steed and driving four others in long reins,
as in sitting quietly in one of Kjreutzman's^
saddles. In the circus attached to her palace
at Vienna she almost daily performs these
feats, and encourages by prizes and evidences
of personal favour many of the Viennese
ladies who seek to emulate her example.
There has been considerable discussion re-
specting the question of the Empress's-
womanliness, and the reverse. Ladies have
averred — oh, jealous ladies ! — that she is not
womanly ; that her style of dressing is
objectionable, and that she has *^ no business
to ride without her husband !" These sayings
are all open to but one interpretation ; ladies
are ever envious of each other, more especially
of those who excel. The Empress is not only

LEARNING.

a perfect woman, but an angel of light and
goodness. Nor do I say this from any
toadyism, nor yet from the gratitude which I
must feel for her kindly favour toward myself.
I speak as I think and believe. Blessed with
a beauty rarely given to mortal, she combines
with it a sweetness of character and dis-
position, a womanly tenderness, and a
thoughtful and untiring charity, which deserve
to gain for her — as they have gained — the
hearts as well as the loving respect and
reverence of all with whom she has come in
contact.

I was pleased to find, whilst conversing
with her, that many of my views about riding
were hers also, and that she considered it a
pity — as I Hkewise do — that so many lady
riders are utterly spoilt by pernicious and
ignorant teaching. I myself am of opinion
that childhood is not the best time to acquire
the art of riding. The muscles are too young,
and the back too weak. The spine is apt to
grow crooked, unless a second saddle be
adopted, which enables the learner to sit on
alternate days upon the off-side of the horse ;

6 LADIES ON HOBSEBACK.

and to this there are many objections. The
best time to learn to ride is about the age of
sixteen. All the delicacy to which the female
frame is subject during the period from the
thirteenth to the fifteenth year has then
passed away, and the form is vigorous and
strong, and capable of enduring fatigue.

I know it to be a generally accepted idea
that riding is hke music and Kterature — the
earlier it is learnt the better for the learner,
and the more certain the proficiency desired
to be attained. This is an entirely erroneous
opinion, and one which should be at once
discarded. I object, as a rule, to children
riding. They cannot do so with any safety,
unless put upon horses and ponies which are
sheep-like in their demeanour; and from
being accustomed to such, and to none other,
they are nervous and frightened when mounted
upon spirited animals which they feel they have
not the strength nor the art to manage, and,
being unused to the science of controlHng,
they suffer themselves to be controlled, and
thus extinguish their chance of becoming.
accompHslied horsewomen. I know ladies.

LEARNING.

certainly, who ride with a great show of
boldness, and tear wildly across country after
hounds, averring that they never knew what
fear meant : why should they — having ridden
from the time they were five years old?
Very probably, but the bravery of the few is
nothing by which to judge of a system which
is, on the whole, pernicious. It is less objec-
tionable for boys, because their shoulders are
not apt to grow awry by sitting sideways, as
little girls' do ; nor are they liable to hang
over upon one side; nor have they such
deHcate frames and weakly fingers to bring to
the front. Moreover, if they tumble off, what
matter ? It does them all the good in the
world. A little sticking-plaister and shaking
together, and they are all right again. But
I confess I don't like to see a girl come off.
Less than a year ago a sweet httle blue-eyed
damsel who was prattling by my side as she
rode her grey pony along with me, was thrown
suddenly and without warning upon the road.
The animal stumbled — her tiny hands lacked
the strength to pull him together — she was
too childish and inexperienced to know the art

8 LADIES ON HOESEBACK.

of retaining her seat. She fell ! and the
remembrance of uplifting her, and carrying
her Kttle hurt form before me upon my saddle
to her parents' house, is not amongst the
brightest of my memories.

We will assume, then, that you are a young
lady in your sixteenth year, possessed of the
desire to acquire the art of riding, and the
necessary amount of courage to enable you
to do so. This latter attribute is an absolute
and positive necessity, for a coward will never
make a horsewoman. If you are a coward,
your horse will soon find it out, and will laugh
at you ; for horses can and do laugh when
they what is usually termed ** gammon " their
riders. Nobody who does not possess un-
limited confidence and a determination to
know no fear, has any business aspiring to
the art. Courage is indispensable, and must
be there from the outset. All other difficulties
may be got over, but a natural timidity is an
insurmountable obstacle.

A cowardly rider labours under a two-fold
disadvantage, for she not only suffers from
her own cowardice, but actually imparts

LEABNING. 9

iiO her horse. An animars keen instinct tells
him at once whether his master or his servant
is upon his back. The moment your hands
touch the reins the horse knows what your
courage is, and usually acts accordingly.

No girl should be taught to ride who has
not a taste, and a most Jdecided one, for the
art. Yet I preach this doctrine in vain ; for,
all over the world, young persons are forced
by injudicious guardians to acquire various
accomplishments for which they have no
calling, and at which they can never excel.
It is just as unwise to compel a girl to mount
and manage a horse against her inclination,
as it is to force young persons who have no
taste for music to sit for hours daily at a
piano, or thrust pencils and brushes into
hands unwilling to use them. A love for
horses, and an earnest desire to acquire the
art of riding, are alike necessary to success.
An unwilling learner will have a bad seat, a
bad method, and clumsy hands upon the reins ;
whereas an enthusiast will seem to have an
innate facility and power to conquer difficulties,
and will possess that magic sense of touch, and

10 LADIES ON HOESEBACK.

facile delicacy of manipulation, which go so
far toward making what are termed *'good
hands," — a necessity without which nobody
can claim to be a rider.

LEAENING, 11

CHAPTEE II.

LEABNER'S costume. THE BEST TEACHER. TOUR

BRIDLE. YOUR SADDLE. YOUR STIRRUP.

DANGER FROM '^ SAFETY- STIRRUP." A TER-
RIBLE SITUATION. LEARNING TO RIDE WITH-
OUT ANY SUPPORT FOR THE FOOT.

Having now discussed your age, your nerve,
and your taste, we shall say a few words
about your costume as a learner. Put on
a pair of strong well-made boots ; heels are
not objectionable, but buttons are decidedly
so, as they are apt to catch in the stirrup and
cause trouble. Strong chamois riding-trousers,
cloth from the hip down, with straps to fasten
under the boots, and soft padding under the
right knee and over the left, to prevent the
friction of the pommels, which, to a beginner,.

12 LADIES ON HOESEBACK.

generally causes much pain and uneasiness.
A plain skirt of brown hoUand, and any sort
of dark jacket, will suit your purpose quite
well, for you are only going to learn ; not to
show off — yet. Your hat — any kind will do
— must be securely fastened on, and your hair
left flowing, for no matter how well you may
fancy you have it fastened, the motion of the
horse will shake it and make it feel unsteady,
and the very first hairpin that drops out, up
will go your hand to replace it, and your reins
will be forgotten. As soon as you have put
on a pair of strong loose gloves, and taken a
little switch in your hand, you are ready to
mount.

The nicest place in which you can learn is
a well-tanned riding-school or large green
paddock, and the nicest person to teach you
is a lady or gentleman friend, who will have
the knowledge and the patience to instruct
you. Heaven help the learner who is handed
over to the tender mercies of John, the coach-
man, or Jem, the groom ! Servants are rarely
able to ride a yard themselves, and their
attempt at teaching is proportionately lame.

LEARNING. 13

Your horse having been led out, your atten-
dant looks to his girthing, &c., as stable
servants are not always too particular re-
specting these necessary matters.

The pleasantest bridle in which to ride is a
plain ring-snaffle. Few horses will go in it ;
but, remember, I am surmising that yours has
been properly trained. By riding in this bridle
you have complete control over the move-
ments of your horse — can, in fact, manage
him with one hand, and you have the additional
advantage of having fewer leathers to encumber
and embarrass your fingers. A beginner is
frequently puzzled to distinguish between the
curb and the snaffle when riding with a double
rein, and mistaking one for the other, or
pulling equally at both, is apt to cause the
horse much unnecessary irritation. It m
lamentable to see the manner in which grown
men and women, who ought to know so much
better, tug and strain at their horses' mouths
with an equal pull upon both reins, when
riding, as is the custom, in a bit and bridoon.
Perhaps of the two they draw the curb the
tighter. It is not meant for cruelty — they do

14 LADIES ON HORSEBACK.

not appear to be aware that it is cmel : but
there is no greater sign of utter ignorance.
Horses are not naturally vicious, and very few
of them who have had any sort of fair-play in
training, really require a curb, or will go as
well or pleasantly upon it as if ridden in a
snaffle-bridle.

Your saddle is another most important
point. Never commence, be your age ever
so tender, by riding upon a pad. Accustom
yourself from the beginning to the use of a
properly constructed saddle, made as straight
as a board, seat perfectly level, and scarcely
any appearance of a pommel upon the off-side.
A leaping-head, or what is commonly termed
a third crutch, is, in my opinion, indispensable.
To procure a saddle such as I describe you
must have it made to order, for those of the
present day are all made with something of a
dip, which is most objectionable. I do not
like the appearance of much stitching about
a saddle. It has always appeared to me
absurd to see the amount of elaborate em-
broidery which every old-fashioned saddle
-carries upon the near flap. Nothing could be

LEAKNING. 15

more unnecessary than an outlay of labour
upon a portion of the article which is always
concealed beneath the rider's right leg. There
might be some sense, although very little, in
decorating the off-side and imparting to it
something of an ornamental appearance ; but
in my opinion there cannot be too much
simplicity about everything connected with
riding appointments. A plainness, amounting
even to severity, is to be preferred before any
outward show. Eibbons, and coloured veils,
and yellow gloves, and showy flowers are alike
objectionable. A gaudy " get up " (to make
use of an expressive common-place) is highly
to be condemned, and at once stamps the
wearer as a person of inferior taste. There-
fore avoid it. Let your saddle be, like your
personal attire, remarkable only for its perfect
freedom from ornament or display. Have it
made to suit yourseK — neither too weighty,
nor yet too small — and if you want to ride
with grace and comfort, desire that it be
constructed without one particle of the
objectionable dip. There is a very old-
established and world-noted firm in Piccadilly

16 LADIES ON HOKSEBACK.

— Peat & Co. — where you can obtain an
article such as I describe, properly made, and
of durable materials, at quite a moderate cost.
I can say, speaking from experience, that no
trouble will be spared to afford you satis-
faction, and that the workmanship will be
not only lasting, but characterised by that
neatness for which I am so strong an advo-
cate. You should ride on your saddle, not in it,
and you must learn to ride from balance or
you will never excel, and this you can only
do by the use of the level seat. A small
pocket on the off-side, and a neat cross strap
to support a waterproof, are of course neces-
sary items.

Your stirrup is the next important matter.
I strongly disapprove of the old-fashioned
slipper, as also of the so-called " safety "
stirrup, which is, in my opinion, the fruitful
: source of many accidents. HaK the lament-
able mischances with which our ears are from
time to time shocked, are due to the perti-
nacity with which ladies will cling to this
murderous safety stirrup. So long as they
will persist in doing so, casualties must be

NING. 17

looked for and must occur. The padding over
the instep causes the foot to become firmly
imbedded, and in the event of an accident the
consequences are dire, for the mechanism of
the stirrup is almost invariably stiff or out of
order, or otherwise refuses to act. Mr. Old-
acre was, I believe, the inventor of the padded
stirrup, and for this we owe him or his
memory little thanks, although the gratitude
of all lady riders is undoubtedly due to him
for his admirable invention and patenting of
the third crutch, without which our seat in
the saddle would be far less comfortable and
less secure.

I dare say that I shall have a large section
of aggrieved stirrup-makers coming down
upon me with the phials of their wrath for
giving pubHcity to this opinion, but in writing
as I have done I merely state my own views,
which I deem we are all at liberty to do ; and
looking upon my readers as friends, I warn
them against an article of which I myself
have had wofiil experience. I once pur-
chased a safety stirrup at one of the best
houses, and made by one of the best makers.

2

18 LADIES ON HORSEBACK.

The shopman showed it off to me in gallant
style, expatiating upon its many excellencies,
and adroitly managing the stiff machinery
with his deft fingers, until I was fairly
deceived, and gave him a handful of money
for what subsequently proved a cause of
trouble. I lost more than one good run with
hounds through the breaking of this dearly-
bought stirrup, having upon one occasion to
ride quite a long distance away from the hunt
to seek out a forge at which I might undergo
repairs. Nor was this the worst, for one day,
having incautiously plunged into a bog in my
anxiety to be in at the death, my horse got
stuck and began to sink, and of course I sought
to release myself from him at once ; but no,
my foot was locked fast in that terrible
stirrup, and I could not stir. My position
was dreadful, for I had outridden my pilot,
my struggling steed was momentarily sinking
lower, and the shades of evening were fast
closing in. I shudder to think what might
have been my fate and that of my gallant
horse had not the fox happily turned and led
the hunt back along the skirts of the bog,

LBABNING. 19

thus enabling my cries for help to be heard
by one or two brave spirits who came gal-
lantly to my rescue. I have more than once
since then been caught in a treacherous bog
when following the chase, but never have
I found any difficulty in jumping from my
horse's back and helping him to struggle
gamely on to the dry land, for I have never
since ridden in a safety-stirrup, nor shall I
ever be likely to do so again. It may be said,
and probably with truth, that my servant had
neglected to clean it properly from day to
day, and that consequently the spring had got
rusted and refused to act. Such may possibly
have been the case, but might not the same
thing occur to anyone, or at any time ?
Servants are the same all over the world, and
yet you must either trust to them or spend
half your time overlooking them in the stable
and harness-room, which for a lady is neither
agreeable nor correct.

There is nothing so pleasant to ride in as a
plain little racing- stirrup, from which the foot
is in an instant freed. I have not for a long
while back used anything else myself, nor has

2 *

20 LADIES ON HORSEBACK.

my foot ever remained caught, even in the
most dangerous falls.

I conceive it to be an admirable plan to
learn to ride without a stirrup at all. Of
course I do not mean by this that a lady should
ever go out park-riding or hunting sans the aid
of such an appendage, but she should be
taught the necessity of dispensing with it in
case of emergency. The benefits arising from
such training are manifold. First, it imparts
a freedom and independence which cannot
otherwise be acquired ; secondly, it gives an
admirable and sure seat over fences ; thirdly,
it is an excellent means of learning how to
ride from balance ; and fourthly, in spite of
its apparent difficulties, it is in the end a
mighty simpHfier, inasmuch as, when the use
of the stirrup is again permitted, all seems,
such marvellously plain sailing, that every
obstacle appears to vanish from the learner' s^
path. In short, a lady who can ride fairly
well without a support for her foot, must,
when such is added, be indeed an accompHshed
horsewoman. I knew a lady who never made
use of a stirrup throughout the whole course

LEARNING. 2]

of an unnsnally long life, and who rode most
brilliantly to hounds. Few, however, could
do this, nor is it by any means advisable, but
to be able occasionally to dispense with the
support is doubtless of decided benefit.

I have often found my training in this
respect stand me in good stead, for it has
more than once happened that in jumping
a stiff fence, or struggHng in a heavy fall,
my stirrup-leather has given way, and I
have had not alone to finish the run with-
out it, but to ride many miles of a journey
homeward.

Nothing could be more wearisome to an
untutored horsewoman than a long ride
without a stirrup. The weight of her sus-
pended limb becomes after a moment or two
most inconvenient and even painful, whilst
the trot of the horse occasions her to bump
continuously in the saddle, — for the power of
rising without artificial aid would appear a
sheer impossibility to an ordinary rider whose
teaching had been entrusted to an ordinary
teacher. I would have you then bear in mind
that although I advocate practising without the

22 LADIES ON HORSEBACK.

assistance of a stirrup, I am totally against
your setting out beyond the limits of your
own lawn or paddock without this necessary
support.

i.

LEARNING. 23

CHAPTEE III.

MOUNTING. — HOLDING THE REINS. — POSITION IN

THE SADDLE. USE OF THE WHIP.— TROTTING.

CANTERING. RIDING FROM BALANCE. — USE

OF THE STIRRUP. ^LEAPING. WHYTE MEL-
VILLE's OPINION.

Having now seen that your bridle, saddle, and
stirrup are in proper order, you prepare to
mount, and this will probably take you some
time and practice to accomplish gracefully,
being quite an art in itself. Nothing is more
atrocious than to see a lady require a chair to
mount her animal, or hang midway against
the side of the saddle when her cavalier gives
her the helping hand. Lay your right hand
firmly upon the pommel of your saddle, and
the left upon the shoulder of your attendant.

24 LADIES ON HOESEBACK.

in whose hand you place your left foot.
Have ready some signal sentence, as ** Make
ready, go !" or " one, two, three !" Im-
mediately upon pronouncing the last syllable
make your spring, and if your attendant does
his duty properly you will find yours If seated
deftly upon your saddle.

As I have already stated, this requires
practice, and you must not be disappointed if
a week or so of failure ensues between trial
and success.

As soon as you are firmly seated, take your
rein (which, as I have said, should be a single
one) and adjust it thus. Place the near side
under the Httle finger of your left hand, and
the off one between your first and second
fingers, bringing both in front toward the
right hand, and holding them securely in
their place with the pressure of your thumb.
This is merely a hint as to the simplest
method for a beginner to adopt, for there is
really no fixed rule for holding reins, nor must
you at all times hold them in one hand only,
but frequently — and always when hunting —
put both hands firmly to your bridle. Any-

LEARNING. 25

thing stiff or stereotyped is to be avoided.
A good rider, such as we hope you will soon
become, will change her reins about, and
move her position upon the saddle, so as to
be able to watch the surrounding scenery —
always moving gracefully, and without any
abrupt or spasmodic jerkings, which are just
as objectionable as the poker-Hke rigidity
which I wish you to avoid. How common it
is to see ladies on horseback sitting as though
they were afraid to budge a hair, ynth
pinioned elbows and straightly-staring eyes.
This is most objectionable ; in fact, nothing
can be more unsightly. A'graceful, easy seat,
is a good horsewoman's chief characteristic.
She is not afraid of tumbling off, and so she
does not look as though she were so ; more-
over, she has been properly taught in the
commencement, and all such defects have
been rectified by a careful supervision.

With regard to your whip,Jt must be held
point downwards, and if you have occasion to
touch your horse, give it to him down the
shoulder, but always with temperance and
kindly judgment. I once had a riding-

26 LADIES ON HOESEBACK.

master who desired me to hold my whip
balanced in three fingers of my right hand,
point upwards, the hand itself being absurdly
bowed and the little finger stuck straight out
like a wooden projection. My natural good
sense induced me to rebel against anything
so completely ridiculous, and I quietly asked
my teacher why I was to carry my whip in
that particular position. His answer was —
" Oh, that you may have it ready to strike your
horse on the nech.'^ Shades of Diana ! this is
the way our daughters are taught in schools,
and we marvel that they show so little for the
heaps of money which we hopefully expend
upon them.

Being then fairly seated upon your saddle,
your skirt drawn down and arranged by your
attendant, your reins in your hand and your
whip arranged, you must proceed to walk
your horse quietl around the enclosure,
having first gently drawn your bridle through
his mouth. You will feel very strange at
first : much as though you were on the back
of a dromedary and were completely at his
mercy. Sit perfectly straight and erect, but

EAENING. 2 i

without stiffness. Be careful not to hang
over upon either side, and, above all things,
avoid the pernicious habit of clutching
nervously with the right hand at the off
pommel to save yourseK from some imaginary
danger. So much does this unsightly habit
grow upon beginners, that, unless checked, it
will follow them through life. I know grown
women who ride every day, and the ver}'-
moment their horse breaks into a canter or a
trot they lay a grim grip upon the pommel,
and hold firmly on to it until the animal again
lapses into a walk. And this they do un-
consciously. The habit, given way to in
childhood, has grown so much into second
nature that to tell them of it would amaze
them. I once ventured to offer a gentle
remonstrance upon the subject to a lady with
whom I was extremely intimate, and she was
not only astonished, but so displeased with
me for noticing it, that she was never quite
the same to me afterwards ; and so salutary
was the lesson which I then received that I
have since gone upon the principle of complete
non-interference, and if I saw my fellow

^28 LADIES ON HOESEBACK.

equestriennes riding gravely upon their horses'
heads I would not suggest the rationality
of transferring their weight to the saddle.
And this theory is a good one, or at least a
wise one ; for humanity is so inordinately
conceited that it will never take a hint kindly,
unless asked for ; and not always even then.

To sit erect upon your saddle is a point of
great importance ; if you acquire a habit of
stooping it will grow upon you, and it is not
only a great disfigurement, but not unfre-
quently a cause of serious accident, for if
your horse suddenly throws up his head, he
hits you upon the nose, and deprives you of
more blood than you may be able to replace
in a good while.

As soon as you can feel yourself quite at
home upon your mount, and have become
accustomed to its walking motion, your
attendant will urge him into a gentle trot.
And now prepare yourself for the beginning
of sorrows. Your first sensation will be that
of being shaken to pieces. You are, of course,
yet quite ignorant of the art of rising in
your saddle, and the trot of the horse fairly

LEARNING. 29

chums yon. Your hat shakes, your hair flaps,
your elbows bang to your sides, you are
altogether miserable. Still, you hold on
bravely, though you are ready to cry from the
horrors of the situation.

Your attendant, by way of reHeving you,
changes the trot to a canter, and then you are
suddenly transported to Elysium. The motion
is heavenly. You have nothing to do but sit
close to your saddle, and you are borne
dehghtfully along. It is too ecstatic to last.
Alas ! it will never teach you to ride, and so
you return to the trot and the shaking and
the jogging, the horrors of which are worse
than anything you have ever previously
experienced. You try vainly to give yourself
some ease, but fail utterly, and at length
dismount — hot, tired, and disheartened.

But against this latter you must resolutel}^
fight. Remember that nothing can be learned
without trouble, and by-and-by you will be
repaid. It is not everybody who has the gift
of perseverance, and it is an invaluable attri-
bute. It is a fact frequently commented upon,
not alone by me but by many others also, that

30 LADIES ON HOKSEBACK.

if you go for the hiring of a horse to any
London livery-stable you will be sent a good-
looking beast enough, but he will not be able
to trot a yard. Canter, canter, is all that he
can do. And why ? He is kept for the ex-
press purpose of carrying young ladies in the
Kow, and these young ladies have never learnt
to trot. They can dress themselves as vanity
suggests in fashionably-cut habits, suffer them-
selves to be lifted to the saddle, and sit there,
looking elegant and pretty, whilst their horse
canters gaily down the long ride ; but were the
animal to break into a trot (which he is far too
well tutored to attempt to do), they would
soon present the same shaken, dilapidated,
dishevelled, and utterly miserable appearance
which you yourself do after your first experi-
ence of the difficulties which a learner has to
encounter.

The art of rising in the saddle is said to
have been invented by one Dan Seffert, a
very famous steeplechase jockey, who had, I
beheve, been a riding-master in the days oi
his youth. If this be true — which there is no
reason to doubt — we have certainly to thank

LEAENING. 31

lim, for it is a vast improvement upon the
jog-trot adopted by the cavahy, which, how-
ever well it may suit them and impart
imiformity of motion to their ** line-riding,"
is not by any means suited to a lady, either
for appearances or for purposes of health.

You come up for your next day's lesson in a
very solemn mood. You are, in fact, con-
siderably sobered. You had thought it was
all plain saiHng : it loolced so easy. You had
seen hundreds of persons riding, trotting, and
even setting off to hunt, and had never
dreamed that there had been any trouble in
learning. Now you know the difficulties and
what is before you.

You recall your sufferings during your
first days upon the ice, or on the rink. How
utterly impossible it seemed that you could
ever excel; how you tumbled about; how
miserably helpless you felt, and how many
heavy falls you got ! Yet you conquered in
the end, and so you will again.

You take courage and mount your steed.
First you walk him a Httle, as yesterday ; and
then the jolting begins again. How are you

'J2 ladies on horseback.

ever to get into that rise and fall which yon
have seen with others, and so much covet ?
How are you to accomplish it ? Only by
doing as I tell you, and persevering in it. As
your horse throws out his near foreleg press
your foot upon your stirrup, in time to lift
yourself sHghtly as his off foreleg is next
thrown out. Watch the motion of his legs,
press your foot, and at the same time slightly
lift yourself from your saddle. For a long
while, many days perhaps, it will seem to
be all wrong ; you have not got into it one
bit; you are JQst as far from it apparently
as when you commenced. You are hot and
vexed, and you, perhaps, cry with mortifica-
tion and disappointment, as I have seen many
a young beginner do ; bitterly worried and
disheartened you are, and ready to give up,
when, lo ! quite suddenly, as though it had
come to you by magic and not through your
own steady perseverance, you find yourself
rising and falHng with the trot of the horse,
and your labours are rewarded. ;

After this your lessons are a source of
delisrht. You no longer come from theiu

LEARNING. 83

flushed and worried, but joyous and exultant
and impatient for the next. You have begun
to feel quite brave, and to throw out hints
that you are longing for a good ride on
the road. You now know how to make your
horse trot and canter ; the first by a light
touch of your whip and a gentle movement of
your bridle through his mouth; the second
by a slight bearing of the rein upon the near
side of his mouth, so as to make him go off.
upon the right leg, and a little warning touch
of your heel. You fancy, in fact, that you
are quite a horsewoman, and have already
rolled up your hair into a neat knot, and
hinted to papa that you should greatly like a
habit. But, alas ! you have plenty of trouble
yet before you, plenty to learn, plenty of falls
to get and to bear. At present you can ride
fairly well on the straight ; but you know
nothing of keeping your balance in time of
danger. Your horse is very quiet, but if he
chanced to put back his ears you would
be off.

You are taught to maintain your balance in
the following way : —

3

34 LADIES ON HORSEBACK.

Tour attendant waits until your horse is
•cantering pretty briskly in a circle from left
to right, when he suddenly cracks his whip
close to the animal's heels, who immediately
swerves and turns the other way. You have
had no warning of the movement, and con-
sequently you tumble off, and are put up
again, feehng a Httle shaken and a good deal
crestfallen. Most likely you will fall again
and again, until you have thoroughly mastered
the art of riding from balance.

This is a method I have seen adopted,
especially in schools, with considerable suc-
cess, but it is certainly attended with incon-
venience to the learner, and with a goodly
portion of the risk from falls which all who
ride must of necessity run. To ride well from
balance is not a thing which can be accom-
plished in a day, nor a month, nor perhaps a
year. Many pass a life-time without prac-
tically comprehending the meaning of the
term. They ride every day, hold on to the
bridle, guide their horses, and trust to chance
for the rest ; but this is not true horsemanship.
It could no more be called riding than could a

LEARNING. 35

piece of mechanical pianoforte-playing be
termed music. When you have, after much
difficulty and delay, mastered the obstacles
which marred your progress, you will then
have the happy consciousness of feehng that
however your horse may shy or swerve, or
otherwise depart from his good manners, you
can sit him with the ease and closeness of a
young centaur.

This art of riding from balance is not half
sufficiently known. It is one most difficult to
acquire, but the study is worth the labour.
Nine-tenths of the lady equestrians, and
perhaps even a greater number of gentlemen,
ride from the horse's head ; a detestable
practice which cannot be too highly con-
demned. I must also warn you against
placing too much stress upon the stirrup when
your horse is trotting. You must bear in
mind that the stirrup is intended for a support
for the foot — not to be ridden from. By
placing your right leg firmly aroimd the
up-pommel, and pressing the left knee against
the leaping-head, you can accomplish the
rise in your saddle with slight assistance

3 *

36 LADIES ON HOESEBACK.

from the stirrup ; and this is the proper way
to ride. The lazy, careless habit into which
many women fall, of resting the entire weight
of the body upon the stirrup, not only fre-
quently causes the leathers to snap at most
inconvenient times, but is the lamentable
cause of half the sore backs and ugly galls,
from which poor horses suffer so severely.

Having at length perfected yourself in
walking, trotting, cantering, and riding from
balance, you have only to acquire the art of
leaping — and then you will be finished, so far
as teaching can make you so. Experience
must do the rest.

It is a good thing, when learning, to mount
as many different horses as you possibly can ;
always, of course, taking care that they are
sufficiently trained not to endeavour to master
you. Horses vary immensely in their action
and gait of going : so much so, that if you do
not accustom yourself to a variety you will
take your ideas from one alone, and will, when
put upon a strange animal, find yourself
completely at sea.

Do not suffer anything to induce you to

LEARNING. 37

iake your first leap over a bar or pole similar
to those used in schools. The horse sees the
daylight under it, knows well that it is a
sham, goes at it unwillingly, does not half rise
to it, drops his heels when in the air, and
knocks it down with a crash, — only to do the
same thing a second time, and a third, and
a fourth also, if urged to do that which he
despises.

Choose a nice little hurdle about two feet
high, well interwoven with gorse ; trot your
horse gently up to it, and let him see what it
is ; then, turn him back and send him at it,
sitting close glued to your saddle, with a firm
but gentle grip of your reins, and your hands
held low. To throw up the hands is a habit
with all beginners, and should at once be
checked. Fifty to one you will stick on all
right, and, if you come off, why it's many a
good man's case, and you must regard it as
one of the chances of war.

The next day you may have the gorse raised
another half-foot above the hurdle, and so on
by degrees, until you can sit with ease over a
jump of five feet. Always bear in mind to

38 LADIES ON HORSEBACK.

keep your hands quite down upon your horse's
withers, and never interfere with his mouth.
Sit well back, leave him his head, and he will
not make a mistake. Of course, I am again
surmising that he has been properly trained,
and that you alone are the novice. To put a
learner upon an untrained animal would be a
piece of folly, not to say of wickedness, of
which we hope nobody in this age of enlighten-
ment would dream of being guilty. In jump-
ing a fence or hurdle do not leave your reins
quite slack ; hold them lightly but firmly, as
your horse should jump against his bridle,
but do not pull him. A gentle support is
alone necessary.

That absurd and vulgar theory about "lift-
ing a horse at his fences," so freely affected
by the ignorant youth of the present day,
cannot be too strongly deprecated. That same
** lifting " has broken more horses' shoulders and
more asses' necks than anything else on record.
A good hunter with a bad rider upon his back
will actually shake his head free on coming up
to a fence. He knows that he cannot do what
is expected of him if his mouth is to be

LEARNING. 3^

chucked and worried, any more than you or I
could under similar circumstances, and so he
asserts his hberty. How often, in a steeple-
chase, one horse early deprived of his rider
will voluntarily go the whole course and jump
every obstacle in perfect safety, even with the
reins dangling about his legs, yet never make
a mistake ; whilst a score or so of compeers
wiU be tumbhng at every fence. And why ?
The answer is plain and simple. The free
horse has his head, and his instinct teUs him
where to put his feet ; whereas the animals
with riders upon their backs are dragged and
pulled and sawn at, until irritation deprives
them of sense and sight, and, rushing wildly
at their fences (probably getting another tug
at the moment of rising), they faU, and so
extinguish their chance of a win.

I do not, of course, in saying this, mean for
a moment to question the judgment and
horsemanship of very many excellent jockeys,
whose ability is beyond comment and their
riding without reproach. I speak of the rule^
not of the few exceptions.

HaH the horses who fall in the hunting-

40 LADIES ON HOESEBACK.

field are thrown down by their riders ; this is
a fact too obvious to be contradicted. Men
over-riding their horses, treating them with
needless cruelty, riding them when already
beaten : these are the fruitful causes of falls in
the field, together with that most objection-
able practice of striving to "lift " an animal
who knows his duties far better than the man
upon his back. It is a pity, and my heart has
often bled to see how the noblest of God's
created things is ill-treated and abused by the
human brute who styles himself the master.
It is, indeed, a disgrace to our humanity that
this priceless creature, given to a man with a
mind highly wrought, sensitive, yearning for
kindness, and capable of appreciating each
word and look of the being whose willing slave
it is, should be treated with cruelty, and in too
many cases regarded but as a sort of machine
to do the master's bidding. Who has not seen,
and mourned to see, the tired, patient horse,
spurred and dragged at by a remorseless rider,
struggling gamely forward in the hunting-
field, with bleeding mouth and heaving, bloody
flanks, to enable a cruel task-master to see

LEARNING. 41

the end of a second run, and even of a third,
after having carried him gallantly through a
long and intricate first? It is a piece of
inhumanity which all humane riders see and
deplore every day throughout the hunting
season. We cannot stop it, but we can speak
against it and write it down, and discountenance
it in every possible way, as we are all bound
to do. Why will not men be brought to see that
in abusing their horses they are compassing
their own loss ? that in taxing the powers of a
beaten animal they are riding for a fall, and
are consequently endangering the life which
God has given them ?

There is much to be learnt in the art of
fencing besides hurdle-leaping. A good timber-
jumper will often take a ditch or drain in a
very indifferent manner. I have seen a horse
jump a five-barred gate in magnificent style,
yet fall short into a comparatively narrow
ditch ; and vice versa ; therefore, various kinds
of jumps must be kept up, persevered in, and
kept constantly in practice. Two things must
always be preserved in view ; never sit loosely
in your saddle, and always ride well from

42 LADIES ON HOESEBACK.

balance, never from your horse's head. In
taking an up jump leave him abundance of
head-room, and sit well back, lest in his effort
he knock you in the face. If the jump is a
down one — what is known as an ^^ ugly drop '*
— follow the same rules ; but, when your
horse is landing, give him good support from
the bridle, as, should the ground be at all soft
or marshy, he might be apt to peck, and so
give you an ugly fall.

It is a disputed point whether or not horses
like jumping. I am incHned to coincide in
poor Whyte-Melville's opinion that they do
not. He w^as a good authority upon most
subjects connected with equine matters, and
so he ought to know ; but of one thing I am
positively certain : they abhor schooling.
However a horse may tolerate or even enjoy
a good fast scurry with hounds, there can be
no doubt that he greatly dishkes being brought
to his fences in cold blood. He has not, when
schooling, the impetus which sends him
along, nor the example or excitement to be
met with in the hunting-field. The horse is
naturally a timid animal, and this is why he

LEAENING. 4S

SO firequently stops short at his fences when
schooling. He mistrusts his own powers.
When running with hounds he is home along
by speed and by excitement, and so goes
skying over obstacles which appal him when
trotted quietly to them on a schooling day.
It is just the difference which an actor feels
between a chilling rehearsal and the night
performance, when the theatre is crowded and
the clapping of hands and the shouting of
approving voices lend life and spirit to the
part he plays.

You will probably get more falls whilst
schooHng than ever you will get in the
hunting-field, but a few weeks' steady practice
over good artificial fences or a nice natural
country, will give you a firm seat and an
amount of confidence which will stand to you
as friends.

44 LADIES ON HORSEBACK.

PART II.

PARK AND ROAD RIDING.

CHAPTEE IV.

HOW TO DRESS. — A COUNTRY- GIRL 'S IDEAS UPON
THE SUBJECT. — HOW TO PUT ON YOUR

RIDING-GEAR. — HOW TO PRESERVE IT. FIRST

ROAD-RIDE. — BACKING. REARING, AND HOW

TO PREVENT IT.

Having now mastered the art of riding, you
will of course be desirous of appearing in
the parks and on the public roadways, and
exhibiting the prowess which it has cost you
so much to gain.

For your outfit you will require, in addition
to the articles already in your possession, a
nice well-made habit of dark cloth. If you
are a very young girl, grey will be the most
suitable ; if not, dark blue. If you hve in
London, pay a visit to Mayfair, and get Mr.
Wolmershausen to make it for you; if in

PAEK AND ROAD RIDING. 45

Dublin, Mr. Scott, of Sackville Street, will do
equally well ; indeed, for any sort of riding-
gear, ladies' or gentlemen's, he is not to
be excelled. If you are not within easy
distance of a city, go to the best tailor
you can, and give him directions, which he
must not be above taking. Skirt to reach six
inches below the foot, well shaped for the
knee, and neatly shotted at end of hem just
below the right foot ; elastic band upon inner
side, to catch the left toe, and to retain the
skirt in its place. It should be made tight
and spare, without one inch of superfluous cloth ;
jacket close-fitting, but sufficiently easy to
avoid even the suspicion of being squeezed ;
sleeves perfectly tight, except at the setting
on, where a shght pufiiness over the shoulder
should give the appearance of increased width
of chest. No braiding nor ornamentation of
any sort to appear. A small neat hnen
collar, upright shape, with cuffs to correspond,
should be worn with the habit, no frilling
nor fancy work being admissible — the collar
to be fastened with a plain gold or silver
stud.

46 LADIES ON HORSEBACK.

The nicest hat to ride in is an ordinary silk
one, much lower than they are usually made,
and generally requiring to be manufactured
purposely to fit and suit the head. Of course,
if you are a young girl, the melon shape will
not be unsuitable, but the other is more in
keeping, more becoming, and vastly more
economical in the end, although few can be
induced to believe this. It is the custom in
many households to purchase articles for their
cheapness, without any regard to quaHty or
durability, and this you should endeavour to
avoid. Speaking from experience, the best
things are always the cheapest. I pay from a
guinea to a guinea and a half for a good silk
hat, and find that it wears out four felt ones of
the quality usually sold at ten and sixpence.
There is no London house at which you can
procure better articles or better value than at
Lincoln, Bennett, & Co., Sackville Street,
Piccadilly. For nearly half a century they
have been the possessors of an admirable
contrivance, which should be seen to be
appreciated, by which not alone is the size of
the head ascertained, but its precise shape is

PARK AND ROAD RIDING. 47

definitely marked and suited, thus avoiding all
possibility of that distressing pressure upon
the temples, which is a fruitful source of
headache and discomfort to so many riders.
Hats made at this firm require no elastics —
if it be considered desirable to dispense with
such — as the fit is guaranteed. Never wear a
veil on horseback, except it be a black one,
and nothing with a border looks well. A plain
band of spotted net, just reaching below the
nostrils, and gathered away into a neat knot
behind, is the most distingue. Do not wear
anything sufl&ciently long to cover the mouth, ,
or it will cause you inconvenience on wet and
frosty days. For dusty roads a black gauze
veil will be found useful, but avoid, as you
would poison, every temptation to wear even
the faintest scrap of colour on horseback. All
such atrocities as blue and green veils have
happily long since vanished, but, even still, a
red bow, a gaudy flower stuck in the button-
hole, and, oh, horror of horrors ! a pocket hand-
kerchief appearing at an opening in the bosom,
looking like a miniature fomentation — these
still occasionally shock the eyes of sensitive

48 LADIES ON HOKSEBACK.

persons, and cause us to marvel at the wearer's
bad taste.

I was once asked to take a young lady with
me for a ride in the park, to witness a field-
day, or polo match, or something or another
of especial interest which happened to be
going forward. I would generally prefer being
asked to face a battery of Zulus rather than
act as chaperone to young lady equestriennes y
who are usually ignorant of riding, and in-
sufferably badly turned out. However, upon
this occasion I could not refuse. The lady's
parents were kind, amiable country folks, who
had invested a portion of their weal h in
sending their daughter up to town to get
lessons from a fashionable riding-master, and
to ride out with whomsoever might be induced
to take her.

Well, the young lady's horse was the first
arrival : a hired hack — usual style ; bones
protruding — knees well over — rusty bridle —
greasy reins — dirty girths — and dilapidated
saddle, indifferently polished up for the
occasion.

The young lady herself came next, stepping

PARK AND EOAD RIDING. 49

daintily out of a cab, as though she were quite
mistress of the situation. Ye gods ! What a
get up ! I was positively electrified. Her
habit — certainly well made — was of bright
blue cloth, with worked frills at the throat
and wrists. She wore a brilliant knot of
scarlet ribbon at her neck, and a huge bouquet
in her button-hole. Her hat was a silk one,
set right on the back of her head, with a velvet
rosettte and steel buckle in front, and a long
veil of grey gauze streaming out behind.
When we add orange gloves, and a riding- whip
with a gaudy tassel appended to it, you have
the details of a costume at once singular and
unique.

I did not at first know whether to get a
sudden attack of the measles or the toothache,
and send her out with my groom to escort her,
but discarding the thought as ill-natured, I
compromised matters by bringing her to my
own room, and effecting .alterations in her
toilet which soon gave her a more civihsed
appearance, I set the hat straight upon her
head, and bound it securely in its place,
removed from it the gauze and buckle, and

4

50 LADIES ON HORSEBACK.

tied on one of my own plain black veils of
simple spotted net. I could not do away
with the frillings, for they were stitched on
as though they were never meant to come off ;
hut the red how I replaced with a silver
arrow, threw away the flowers, removed the
whip-tassel, and substituted a pair of my own
gloves for the cherished orange kid. Then we
set out.

I wanted to go a quiet way to the park,
so as to avoid the streets of the town, but she
would not have it. Nothing would do that
girl but to go bang through the most crowded
parts of the city, the hired hack sHding over
the asphalte, and the rider (all unconscious
of her danger) bowing delightedly to her
acquaintances as she passed along. Poor
girl ! that first day out of the riding-school
was a gala day for her.

The nicest gloves for riding are pale cream
leather, worked thickly on the backs with
black. A few pairs of these will keep you
going, for they clean beautifully. A plain
riding-whip without a tassel, and a second
habit of dark hoUand if you live in the

PARK AND ROAD RIDING. 51

country, will complete your necessary out-
fit.

I shall now give you a few hints as to the
best method of putting on your riding gear,
and of preserving the same after rain or hard
weather. Your habit-maker will, of course,
put large hooks around the waist of your
bodice, and eyes of corresponding size attached
to the skirt, so that both may be kept in their
place, but if you have been obKged to entrust
your cloth to a country practitioner, who has
neglected these minor necessaries, be sure you
look to them yourself, or you will some day
find that the opening of your skirt is right at
your back, and that the place shaped out for
jour knee has twisted round until it hangs in
unsightly crookedness in front of the buttons
of your bodice.

Let it be a rule with you to avoid using any
pins. Put two or three neat stitches in the
back of your collar, so as to affix it to your
jacket, having first measured to see that the
ends shall meet exactly evenly in front, where
you will fasten them neatly with a stud. The
ordinary system of placing one pin at the

4 *

52 LADIES ON HOESEBACK.

back of the collar and one at either end is
much to be deprecated. Frequently one of
these pins becomes undone, and then the
discomfort is incalculable, especially if, as
often occurs, you are out for a long day, and
nobody happens to be able to accommodate
you with another.

Pinning cuffs is also a reprehensible habit,
for the reason just stated. Two or three little
stitches where they will not show, upon the
inner side of the sleeve, will hold the cuff
securely in its place and prevent it turning
round or slipping up or down, any of which
will be calculated to cause discomfort to the
rider.

It is not a bad method, either, to stitch a
small button at the back of the neck of the
jacket, upon the inner side, upon which the
collar can be secured, fastening the cuffs in
the same manner to buttons attached to the
inner portion of each sleeve. In short,
anything in the shape of a device which will
check the unseemlyhabit of using a multiphcity
of pins, may be regarded as a welcome innova-
tion, and at once adopted.

PARK AND ROAD RIDING. 53

It is a good plan, when you undress from
your ride, to ascertain whether your collar
and cuffs are sufficiently clean to serve you
another day, and if they are not, replace them
at once hy fresh ones ; for it may happen that
i;vhen you go to attire yourself for your next
ride, you may be too hurried to look after
what should always be a positive necessity,
namely, perfectly spotless linen.

There is a material, invented in America
and as yet but little known amongst us here,
which is invaluable to all who ride. It is
called Celluloid, and from it collars, cuffs, and
shirt-fronts are manufactured which resemble
the finest and whitest Hnen, yet which never
spot, never crush, never become limp, and
never require washing, save as one would
wash a china saucer, in a basin of clear water,
using a fine soft towel for the drying process.
I do not know the nature of the composition,
but I can certainly bear testimony to its
worth, and being inexpensive as well as con-
venient, it cannot fail, when known, to become
liighly popular.

The adjusting of your hat is another

54: LADIES ON HORSEBACK.

important item. Stitch a piece of black
elastic (the single-cord round kind is the best)
from one side — the inner one of course — to
the other, of just sufficient length to catch
well beneath your hair. This elastic you can
stretch over the leaf of your hat at the back,
and then, when the hat is on and nicely
adjusted to your taste in front, you have only
to put back your hand and bring the band of
elastic deftly under your hair. The hat will
then be immovable, and the elastic will not
show. In fastening your veil, a short steel
pin with a round black head is the best. The
steel sHps easily through the leaf of the hat,
and the head, being glossy and large, is easily
found without groping or delay, whenever you
may desire to divest yourself of it.

I shall now tell you how to proceed with
the various items of your toilet on coming
home, after being overtaken by stress of
weather. No matter how wealthy you may
be, or how many servants you may be entitled
to keep, always look after these things your-
self.

Hang the skirt of your habit upon a clothes-

PARjt AND EOAD RIDING 55

horse, with a stick placed across inside to
extend it folly. Leave it until thoroughly
dry, and then brush carefully. The bodice
must be hung in a cool dry place, but never
placed near the fire, or the cloth will shrink,
and probably discolour.

Dip your veil into clear cold water, give it
one or two gentle squeezes, shake it out, and
hang it on a line, spreading it neatly with
your fingers, so that it may take no fold in the
drying.

Your hat comes next. Dip a fine small
Turkey sponge, kept for the purpose and freed
from sand, into a basin of lukewarm water,
and draw it carefully around the hat. Ee-
peat the process, going over every portion of
it, until crown, leaf, and all are thoroughly
cleansed; then hang in a cool, airy place to dry.
In the morning take a soft brush, which use
gently over the entire surface, and you will
have a perfectly new hat. - No matter how
shabby may have been your headpiece, it will
be quite restored, and will look all the better
for its washing. This is one of the chief
advantages of silk hats. Do not omit to

56 LADIES ON HORSEBACK.

brush after the washing and drying process,
or your hat will have that unsightly appear-
ance of having been ironed, which is so
frequently seen in the hunting-field, because
gentlemen who are valeted on returning from
their sport care nothing about the manage-
ment of their gear, but leave it all to the
valet, who gives the hat the necessary
washing, but is too lazy or too careless to
brush it next day, and his master takes it
from his hand and puts it on without ever
noticing its unsightliness. Sometimes it is
the master himself whose clumsy handiwork
is to blame ; but be it master or servant, the
result is too often the same.

Should your gloves be thoroughly, or even
slightly wetted, stretch them upon a pair of
wooden hands kept for the purpose, and if
they are the kind which I have recommended
to you — I mean the best quahty of double-
stitched cream leather — they will be little the
worse.

Having now, I think, exhausted the sub-
ject of your clothing, and given you all
the friendly hints in my power, I am ready

PAEK AND ROAD RIDING. 57

±0 acoompany you upon your first road

ride.

Go out with every confidence, accompanied
of course by a companion or attendant, and
make up your mind never to be caught napping,
but to be ever on the alert. You must not
lose sight of the fact that a bird flitting
suddenly across, a donkey's head laid without
warning against a gate, a goat's horns
appearing over a wall, or even a piece of
paper blown along upon the ground, may
cause your horse to shy, and if you are not
sitting close at the time, woe betide you!
Always remember the rule of the road, keep
to your left-hand side, and if you have to pass
a vehicle going your way, do so on the right
of it. Never neglect this axiom, no matter
how lonely and deserted the highway may
appear, for recollect that if you fail to comply
with it, and that any accident chances to
occur, you will get all the blame, and receive
no compensation.

Never trot your horse upon a hard road
when you have a bit of grass at the side
on which you can canter him. Even if there

58 LADIES ON HORSEBACK.

are only a few blades it will be sufficient ta
take the jar off his feet.

If you meet with a hill or high bridge, trot
him up and walk him quietly down the other
side. If going down a steep dechne, sit well
back and leave him his head, at the same
time keeping a watchful hand upon the rein
for fear he should chance to make a false
step, that you may be able to pull him up ;
but do not hold him tightly in, as many timid
riders are apt to do, thus hobbling his move-
ments and preventing him seeing where he is
to put his feet. If he has to clamber a steep
hill with you, leave him unlimited head-room,
for it is a great ease to a horse to be able to
stretch his neck, instead of being held tightly
in by nervous hands, which is frequently the
occasion of his stumbling.

Should your horse show temper and attempt
to back with you, leave him the rein, touch
him lightly with your heel, and speak en-
couragingly to him; should he persist, your
attendant , must look to the matter; but a
horse who possesses this dangerous vice should
never be ridden by a lady. I have surmised

PARK AND ROAD RIDITTCf. 59

that yours has been properly trained, and
doubtless you might ride for the greater
portion of a lifetime without having to en-
counter a decided jibber, but it is as well to
be prepared for all emergencies. Should a
horse at any time rear with you, throw the
rein loose, sit close, and bring your whip
sharply across his flank. If this is not
effectual, you may give him the butt- end of
it between the ears, which will be pretty
sure to bring him down. This is a point,
however, upon which I write with con-^
siderable reserve, for many really excellent
riders find fault with the theory set forth and
adopted by me. One old sportsman in
particular shows practically how seriously he
objects to it by suffering himself to be
tumbled back upon almost daily by a vicious
animal, in preference to adopting coercive
measures for his own safety.

My reasons for striking a rearing horse are
set forth with tolerable clearness in one of
the letters which form an appendix to this
volume ; but, although I do it myself, I do
not imdertake the responsibility of advising

60 LADIES ON HORSEBACK.

others to do likewise, especially if a nervous
timidity form a portion of their nature. I
am strongly of opinion, however, that
decisive measures are at times an absolute
necessity, and that the most effectual remedy
for an evil is invariably the best to adopt. I
have heard it said by two very eminent
horsemen that to break a bottle of water
between the ears of a rearing animal is an
excellent and effectual cure. Perhaps it may
be — and, on such authority, we must suppose
that it is — but I should not care to be the one
to try it, although I consider no preventive
measure too strong to adopt when deahng
with so dangerous a vice. A horse may be
guilty of jibbing, bolting, kicking, or almost
any other fault, through nervousness or
timidity, but rearing is a vicious trick, and
must be treated with prompt determination.
It would be useless to speak encouragingly to
a rearer ; he is vexing you from vice, not
from nervousness, and so he needs no re-
assurance— do not waste words upon him,
but bring him to his senses with promptitude,
or whilst you are dallying he may tumble

PARK AND ROAD RIDING. 61

back upon you, and put remonstrance out of
your power for some time to come, if not for
ever. In striking him, if you do so, do not
indulge in the belief that you are safe because
he drops quickly upon his fore-legs, but on
the contrary, be fully prepared for the kick or
buck which will be pretty sure to follow, and
which (unless watched for) will be hkely to
unseat even a most skilful rider. Both rearing
and plunging may, however, be effectually
prevented by using the circular bit and
martingale, procurable at Messrs. Davis,
saddlers, 14, Strand, London. This admirable
contrivance should be fitted above the mouth-
piece of an ordinary snaffle or Pelham bridle.
It is infinitely before any other which I have
seen used for the same purpose, has quite a
separate headstall, and should be put on and
arranged before the addition of the customary
ridle. Being secured to the breastplate by a
standing martingale, it requires no reins.

62 LADIES ON HOBSEBACE,

CHAPTEE V.

KUNNING AWAY. THREE DANGEROUS ADVEN-
TURES. HOW TO ACT WHEN PLACED IN

CIRCUMSTANCES OF PERIL. HOW TO RIDE A

PULLER. THROUGH THE CITY. TO A MEET

OF HOUNDS. — BOASTFUL LADIES. A BRAG-
GART'S RESOURCE.

In the event of a horse running away, you
must of course be guided by circumstances
and surroundings, but my advice always is,
if you have a fair road before you, let him go.
Do not attempt to hold him in, for the
support which you afford him with the bridle
only helps the mischief. Leave his head
quite loose, and when you feel him beginning
to tire — which he will soon do without the
support of the rem — flog him until he is ready

PARK AND ROAD RIDING. 63

to stand stiil. I warrant that a horse treated
thus, especially if you can breast him up hill,
will rarely run away a second time. He never
forgets his punishment, nor seeks to put him-
self in for a repetition of it.

I have been run away with three times in
my Kfe, but never a second time by the same
horse. It may amuse you to hear how I
escaped upon oach occasion.

The first time, I was riding a beautiful little
thoroughbred mare, which a dear lady friend
— ^now, alas ! dead — had asked me to try for
her. The mare had been a flat-racer, and,
haying broken down in one of her trials, had
been purchased at a cheap rate, being still
possessed of beauty and a considerable turn of
speed.

Well, we got on splendidly together for an
hour or so on the fifteen acres. Phoenix Park,
but, when returning homewards, some boys
who were playing close by struck her with a
ball on the leg. In a second she was off like
.the wind, tearing down the long road which
leads from the Phoenix to the gates. She had
the bit between her teeth, and held it like a

64 LADIES ON HORSEBACK.

vice. My only fear was lest she should lose
her footing and fall, for the roadway was
covered from edge to edge with new shingle.
On she went in her mad career, amidst the
shrieks of thousands, for the day was Easter
Monday, and the park was crowded. Soldiers,
civilians, lines of policemen strove to form a
barrier for her arrest. In vain ! She knocked
down some, fled past others, and continued
her headlong course.

All this time I was sitting as if glued to my
saddle. At the mare's first starting I had
endeavoured to pull her up, but finding that
this was hopeless, I left the rein loose upon
her neck. Having then no support for her
head, she soon tired, and the instant I felt
her speed relaxing I took up my whip and
punished her within an inch of her life. I
made her go when she wanted to stop, and
only suffered her to pull up just within the
gates, where she stood covered with foam and
trembling in every limb.

Her owner subsequently told me that during
the three years which she afterwards kept her
she never rode so biddable a mare.

PARK AND ROAD RIDING. 65

I must not forget to mention the comic side
of the adventure as well as the more serious.
It struck me as being particularly ludicrous
upon that memorable occasion that an old gen-
tleman, crimson with wrath, actually attacked
my servant in the most irate manner because
he had not clattered after me during the
progress of the mare's wild career. ^' How
dare you, sir," cried this irascible old gentle-
man, "how dare you attempt to neglect your
young lady in this cowardly manner ? " Nor
was his anger at all appeased when informed
that I as a matron was my own care-taker,
and that my attendant had strict injunctions
not to foUow me in the event of my horse
being startled or running away.

My next adventure was much more serious,
and occurred also within the gates of the
Phoenix Park.

Some troops were going through a variety
of manoeuvres preparing for a field-day, and
a knot of them had been posted behind and
around a large tree with fixed bayonets in
their hands. Suddenly they got the order to
move, and at the same instant the sun shone

5

66 LADIES ON HORSEBACK.

out and glinted brilliantly upon the glittering
steel. I was riding a horse which had lately
been given me ; a fine, raking chestnut, with
a temper of his own to manage. He turned
like a shot, and sped away at untold speed.
I had no open space before me ; therefore I
durst not let him go. It was an enclosed
portion of the park, thickly studded with
knots of trees, and I knew that if he bore me
through one of these my earthly career would
most probably be ended. I strove with all
the strength and all the art which I possessed
to pull him up. It was of no use. I might
as well have been pulling at an oak-tree; it
only made him go the faster.

Happily my presence of mind remained. I
saw at once that my only chance was to
breast him against the rails of the cricket-
ground, and for these I made straight, prepared
for the shock and for the turn over which I
knew must inevitably follow. He dashed up to
the rails, and when within a couple of inches
of them he swerved with an awful sudden-
ness, which, only that I was accustomed to
ride from balance, must have at once unseated

PARK AND ROAD RIDING. 67

me, and darted away at greater speed than
ever. Right before me was a tree, one heavy
bough of which hung very low — and straight
for this he made, nor could I turn his course.
I knew my fate, and bent on a level with my
saddle, but not low enough, for the branch
caught me in the forehead and sent me reehng
senseless to the ground.

I soon got over the shock, although my
arm (which was badly torn by a projecting
branch) gave me some trouble after ; but the
bough was cut down the next day by order of
the Lord Lieutenant, and the park-rangers
still point out the spot as the place where
**the lady was nearly killed."

My third runaway was a hunting adven-
ture, and occurred only a few months since.

I had a letter one morning from an old
friend, informing me that a drag-hunt was
to take place about thirty miles from Dublin
to finish the season with the county harriers,
and that he, my friend, wished very much
that I would come down in my habit by the
mid-day train and ride a big bay horse of his,
respecting which he was desirous of obtaining

68 LADIES ON HORSEBACK.

my opinion. I never take long to make up
my mind, so, after a glance at mj- tablets ^
which showed me that I was free for the day^
I donned my habit, and caught the specified
train.

At the station at the end of my journey I
found the big bay saddled and awaiting me^
and having mounted him I set off for the
kennels, from a field near which the drag was
to be run. I took the huntsman for a pilot,
knowing that the servant, who was my atten-
dant, was rather a duffer at the chase.

The instant that the hounds were laid on
and the hunt started, my big mount com-
menced to pull hard, and by the time the
first fence was reached his superior strength
had completely mastered mine. He was
puUing like a steam-engine, head down, ears
laid backward, neck set like iron. My blistered
hands were powerless to hold him. He rushed
wildly at the fence, and striking the horse of
a lady who was just landing over it, turned
him and his rider a complete somersault ! I
subsequently learned that the lady escaped
unhurt, but I could not at the moment pause

PARK AND ROAD RIDING. 69

±0 inquire, for my huge mount, clearing the
jump and ten feet beyond it, completely took
head, and bore me away from the field

Over park, over pale,
Through bush, through briar,

until my head fairly reeled, and I felt that
some terrible calamity must ensue.

Happily he was a glorious fencer, or I must
have perished, for he jumped every obstacle
with a rush ; staked fences, wide ditches — so
wide that he landed over them on his belly —
tangled gorse, and branches of rivers swollen
by recent rains ; he flew them all. At length,
when my strength was quite exhausted and
my dizzy brain utterly powerless and con-
fused, I beheld before me a stone wall, a high
•one, with heavy coping-stones upon the top.
At this I resolved to breast him, and run my
chance for Kfe or death in the turn over,
which, from the pace at which we were
approaching it, I knew must be a mighty one.
In a moment we were up to it and, with a
<3ry to heaven for mercy, I dug him with my
spur and sent him at it. To my utter
iistonishment, for the wall was six and a half

70 LADIES ON HORSEBACK.

feet high, he put down his head, rushed at it^
cleared it without ever laying a shoe upon the
topmost stones, and landed with a frightful sHp
and clatter, but still safely on his feet —
where ? in the midst of a farm-yard.

Were it not that this adventure actually
occurred to myself, I should be strongly
tempted to question its authenticity. That
there are horses — especially Irish ones — quite
capable of compassing such a jump, there
cannot be the slightest doubt ; but I hava
never before or since seen one who could da
it without being steadied as he approached
the obstacle. In the ordinary course of events
a runaway steed would strike it with his head
and turn over, — which was what I expected
and desired — but no such thing occurred, and
to the latest hour of my life it must remain
a mystery to me that upon the momentous
occasion in question neither horse nor rider
was injured, nor did any accident ensue.
Nothing more disastrous than a considerable
disturbance in the farm-yard actually occurred;
but it was indeed a mighty one.

Such a commotion amongst fowls was surely

PARK AND ROAD RIDING. 71

never witnessed ; the ducks quacked, the
turkeys screeched, the hens ran hither and
thither; two pigs, eating from a trough close
by, set up a most terrific squalling, dogs
barked, and two or three women, who were
spreading clothes upon a line, added to the
general confusion by flinging down the gar-
ments with which they had been busy and
taking to their heels, shrieking vociferously.
In the meantime the big bay, perceiving that
he had run to the end of his tether, stood
snorting and foaming, looking hither and
thither in helpless amazement and dismay ;
whilst I, relieved at length of my anxiety,
burst first into tears, and then into shouts of
hearty laughter, as I fully took in the absurdity
of the situation.

After a considerable delay one of the women
was induced to come forward and listen to a
recital of my adventure ; and the others, being
assured that '*the baste '* would not actually
devour them, came near me also, and we held
an amicable council as to the possibility of
my ever getting out, for the gates were
locked, and the owner of the property was

72 LADIES ON HORSEBACK.

away at a fair in the neighbouring town and
had the key stowed away in his pocket. To
jump the wall again was impracticable. No
horse that ever was foaled could do it in cool
blood ; nor was I wilHng to risk the experiment,
erven if my steed made no objection.

At length we decided upon the only plan.
I dismounted, and, taking the rein over my
arm, led my mighty hunter across the yard,
induced him to stoop his head to enter by a
back door through a passage in the farm-
house, and from thence through the kitchen
and front door, out on to the road. I have a
cheerful recollection of an old woman, who was
knitting in the chimney-corner, going off into
screams and hysterics as I and my big steed
walked in upon her solitude, a loose shoe and
a very audible blowing making the entrance of
my equine companion even more prononce than
it would otherwise have been. The poor old
creature flung down her needles, together with
the cat which had been quietly reposing in
her lap, and kicking up her feet yelled and
bellowed at the top of a very discordant voice.
It took the combined efforts of all four

PARK AND ROAD RIDING. 73

women to pacify her, and she was still
shrieking long after I had mounted the big
bay and ridden him back to inform his owner
of how charmingly he had behaved.

I have now told you three anecdotes, partly
for your amusement and partly for your in-
struction ; but I would not have you think
that it would be at all times and under all
circumstances a wise thing to ride a runaway
horse against so formidable an obstacle as a
stone wall. Mine was, I hope, an exceptional
case. When the animal was led down to
meet me at the station, I saw, not without
misgiving, that I was destined to ride in a
so-called ^^ safety-stirrup," and at the time
when he took head with me my foot was
fixed as in a vice in this dangerous and
horrible trap, from which I could not succeed
in releasing it. FeeHng that my brain was
whirHng, and that I could not longer main-
tain my seat in the saddle, I rode for an
overthrow, which I deemed infinitely better
than being dragged by the foot over an
intricate country, and most probably having
my brains scattered by a pair of crashing

74 LADIES ON HORSEBACK.

heels. If a horse should at any time run
away with you, keep your seat whilst you can
do so, and whilst you have anything of a fair
road before you ; but if there is any danger
of your being thrown or losing your seat whilst
your foot is caught, then by all means ride
for a fall ; put your horse at something that
will bring him down, and when he is down
struggle on to his head, that he may not rise
until somebody has come to your assistance.
Of course the experiment is fraught with
excessive danger, but it is not certain death,
as the other alternative must undoubtedly be.
I cannot, however, wish you better than to
hope most fervently that you may never be
placed in a position which would necessitate
your making a choice between two such
mighty evils. Avoid riding strange horses.
No matter how accomphshed a horsewoman
you may become, do not be too ready to
comply with the request to try this or that
unknown mount. I have done it myself,
often, and probably shall again ; * but my

* This was written previous to the accident which
has disabled me.

PARK AND ROAD RIDING. 75

experience prompts me to warn others against
a practice which is frequently fraught with
danger to a lady. A horse knows quite well
when a strange or timid rider gets upon his
back, and if he does not kill you outright, he
will probably make such a ^^hare" of you as
will not be at all agreeable, either for yourself
or for the lookers-on.

Whenever you take a young horse upon
grass, whether he be a stranger to you or
otherwise, be prepared for a certain show of
friskiness which he does not usually exhibit
upon the road. The soft springy turf beneath
his feet imbues him with feehngs of hilarity
which he finds himself powerless to resist,
and so you, his rider, must prepare for his
little vagaries. He will, most probably, in
the first place try a succession of bucks, and
for these you must prepare by sitting very
close to your saddle, your knee well pressed
against the leaping-head, ^ and your figure
erect, but not thrown back, as the shock, or
shocks to your spine would in such a case be
not only painful but positively dangerous, and
should therefore be carefully avoided. He

76 LADIES ON HORSEBACK.

will next be likely to romp away, pulling yon
much harder than is at all agreeable, and
seemingly inclined to take head with you
altogether. As a remedy against this you
must neither peld to him nor pull against him.
I have heard fairly good riders advocate by
turns both systems of management, especially
the former ; indeed, the expression, '^ Drop
your hands to him," has become so general
amongst teachers of the equestrian art, that
it has almost passed into a proverb. I do
not advocate it, nor do I deem it advisable
ever to pull against a pulling horse. When
an animal tries to forereach you, you should
neither give up to him nor yet pull one ounce
against him. Close your fingers firmly upon
the reins and keep your arms perfectly
motionless, your hands weD down, without
giving or taking one quarter of an inch. In
a stride or two he will be sure to yield to
your hand, at which moment you should
immediately yield to him, and his wondrous
powers of inteUigence will soon enable him to
discern that you are not to be trifled with.
Were you to give up to him when he rushes

PARK AND ROAD RIDING. 77

away or romps with his head he would very
soon be going all abroad, and would give you
a vast amount of trouble to pull him into
proper form. Above all things, keep clear of
trees, of which I myself have an unbounded
dread. Should you have occasion to ride
through a city, give your eyes and attention
to your horse, and not to passing acquamtances,
for in the present dangerous tangle of tram-
lines, slippery pavements, and ill-driven
vehicles, it will require all your energies to
bring you safely through. Never trot your
horse through a town or city: walk him
quietly through such portion of it as you have
to pass, and leave him abundant head-room,
that his intelligence may pick out a way for
his own steps.

A very nice ride for a lady is to a meet of
the hounds, if such should occur within
reasonable distance, say from four to eight
miles. The sight is a very pretty one, and
there is not any reason why you should not
thoroughly enjoy it ; but having only ridden
to see the meet, you must be careful not to
interfere with, nor get in the way of those

78 LADIES ON HORSEBACK.

about to ride the run. Nothing is more
charming than to see three or four ladies,
nicely turned out, arrive to grace the meet
with their presence, but nothing is more
abominable than the same number of amazons
coming galloping up in full hunting toggery,
although without the least idea of hunting,
and rushing hither and thither, frightening
the hounds and getting in everybody's way,
as though they were personages of the vastest
possible importance, and meant to ride with a
skill not second to that of the Nazares. Such
women are the horror and spoliation of every
hunting-field. They dash off with the hounds
the moment the fox is found, but happily the
first fence stops them, and a fervent thankful-
ness is felt by every true lover of the chase
as they pause discomfited, look dismally at
the yawning chasm, and jog crestfallen away
to the road.

There are many ladies, and estimable ladies,
too, who take out their horses every hunting-
day, and by keeping upon the roadways see all
that they can of the hounds. Sometimes
they are fortunate, sometimes not ; it depends

PARK AND ROAD RIDING. 79

upon the line of country taken. Their
position is, in my opinion, a most miserable
one ; yet they must derive enjoyment from it,
else why do they come ? They surely cannot
imagine that they are participating in the
hunt ; yet it affords them amusement to keep
pottering about, and enables them to make
their little harmless boast to credulous friends
of their '* hunting days,'' and the **runs"
they have seen throughout the season. Indeed,
so far does this passion for boasting carry the
fair sex, that I myself know two young ladies
who never saw a hound in their lives, except
from the inside of a shabby waggonette, yet
who brag in so audacious a manner that they
have been heard to declare to gentlemen at
evening dances, " Eeally we cawn't dawnce ;
we are 50 tired ! Out all day with the Wards
— and had such a clipping run ! "

This sort of thing only makes us smile
when we hear it amongst ladies, but when
men resort to it we become inspired with
sufficient contempt to feel a longing desire to
offer them severer chastisement than our
derision.

80 LADIES ON HORSEBACK.

I once asked a little mannikin, who had
given himself the name and airs of a great
rider, if he would be kind enough to pilot
me over an intricate piece of country with
which I was unacquainted. The creature
pulled his little moustaches, and sniffed, and
hemmed and hawed, and finally said, *' Aw,
I'm sure I should be delighted, but you see I
ride so deuced hard, I should not expect a lady
to be able to keep up with me.'' I said
nothing, but acted as my own pilot, and took
opportunity to watch my hard-riding friend
during the course of the run. He positively
never jumped a fence, but worked rampantly
at locks of gates, and bribed country-folks to
let him pass through. The last I saw of him
ho was whipping his horse over a narrow
ditch, preparatory to scrambling it himself on
foot.

And this man was only one of many, for
the really accomplished rider never boasts.

81

P AET III.

HUNTING.

CHAPTER VI.

HUNTING-GEAB. — NECESSARY REGARD FOR SAFE

SHOEING. DRIVE TO THE MEET. SCENE ON

ARRIVING. A WORD WITH THE HUNTSMAN.

A GOOD PILOT. THE COVERT SIDE. DIS-
APPOINTMENT.— A LONG TROT.

Now that you are thoroughly at home on your
saddle — in the park, on the road, and over the
country — you are doubtless longing to display
your prowess in the hunting-field, and thither
we shall have much pleasure in accompanying
you.

Your outfi.t will be the first thing to con-
sider ; and do not be alarmed when I tell you
that it will require a little more generosity on
the part of papa than you have hitherto called
upon him to exercise.

G

82 LADIES ON HORSEBACK.

To commence with your feet — which I know
is contrary to custom — you will need two
pairs of patent Wellington boots. These are
three guineas per pair, but are a beautiful
article, and will last a long time with care.
Woollen stockings of light texture, with a pair
of silk ones drawn over, are the most comfort-
able for winter wear. A small steel spur to
affix to your left heel will be the next item
required. The nicest kind are those with a
strap attached, which crosses the instep, and
buckles securely at the side. Of course, all
ladies' spurs are spring ones, displaying no
rowels which could tear the habit, but simply
one steel projection with spring probe within,
which, when pressed to the horse's side, acts
most efficiently as an instigator. Latchford's
patent is the best.

Two pairs of chamois riding-trousers, cloth
from the hip down, and buttoning quite close
at the ankle to allow of the boot going over,
will be the next necessary ; and you must also
provide yourself with two riding corsets of
superior shape and make.

Three habits of strong dark cloth, one of

HUNTING. 83

-fchem thoroughly waterproof, will be required
— the skirts to be made so short as barely to
cover the foot, and so spare as to fit like
glove, without fold or wrinkle. If a hunting-
habit be properly cut it will require no shotting,
which will be an advantage to your horse
in diminishing the weight which he would
otherwise have to carry. An elastic band
nicely placed upon the inside in position to
catch around the toe of the right foot will be
sufficient to answer alljpurposes. You cannot
do better, to procure an article such as I
describe, than entrust your order to Wolmer-
shausen (whom I believe I have already
named in a former chapter), corner of Curzon
Street, Mayfair, where you will not fail to find
your instructions intelligently carried out.
This firm has a speciality for skirt-cutfcing, —
is, indeed, unapproachable in this particular
branch, of what is in reality an aet ; and even
in these daj^'S of eager competition the old-
estabHshed house suffers from no rivahy,
and holds its own in the widely-contested
field.

A very neatly-made waterproof jacket will

84 LADIES ON HORSEBACK.

"be an addition to your wardrobe, as also a cape
with, an elastic band from the back to fasten
around the waist, and hold the front ends
securely down. This latter is an almost
indispensable article. It is so light that it
can be carried with ease in your saddle-strap,
and in case of an unexpected shower can be
adjusted in a single instant and without
assistance, which is not the case with a jacket.
It should be made with a collar, which can be
arranged to stand up close around the neck,
and thus prevent the possibility of damp or
wet causing you cold or inconvenience. I
approve of the jacket for decidedly wet days,
when it should be donned on going out, but
for a showery day the cape is preferable, as it
can be much more easily taken off and again

put on.

Two silk hats, with the addition of a
melon-shape if you desire it— a long-lashed
hunting-whip, and a plentiful supply of collars,
cuffs, gloves, veils, and handkerchiefs, will
complete your outfit. I, hunting four days a
week, find the above quite sufficient, and if
you care your things (having got them in the

HUNTING. 85

fest instance of the best quality) it is surprising
how long they may be made to serve. I have
told you how to take care of them, but believe
me, if you leave the task to servants the end
will prove disappointing. You will never be
one-haK so well turned out, and your outlay
will be continual.

It is an excellent precaution for a hunting-
day, to look the previous morning at your
horse's shoes ; and do this yourseK, for it not
unfrequently happens that a careless groom
will suffer him to go out with a loose shoe
which gradually becomes looser, and finally
drops off, perhaps in the middle of an exciting
run, and obhges you to leave your place with
the hounds and seek the nearest forge. All
this sort of thing could, in nine cases out of
ten, be obviated by a Httle care and forethought,
but the majority of riders are too grand, or too
careless, or too absurdly squeamish about the
^^ propriety " of entering a. stable, and not
unfrequently too ignorant of things they ought
io know, to see to such matters themselves,
and so they are passed over and neglected.
A groom is too often utterly careless. He is

86 LADIES ON HOKSEBACK.

bound to send your horse from the yard looking"
shiny, and sleek, and clean. Any deviation
from this would at once attract your attention^
and arouse your displeasure. The groom knows
this, and acts accordingly ; but he also knows
what you do not — ^that one of the shoes is
three-parts loose ; it will probably hold very
well until you begin to go, and then it will
drop off and leave you in a fix, perhaps mile&
away from a village where the damage could
be repaired. The groom knew all about it,
very likely, the day before, but he saw that
you were not troubling yourseK, and why
should he ? you never made any inquiry about
such matters, nor seemed to interest yourself
in them, and why should he be troubled
concerning them ? A loose shoe is nothing^
to him : it does not cause him any incon-
venience, not it; then why worry himself?
He does not want to bring the horse down to-
the forge through mud and rain, and stand
there awaiting the smith's convenience ; not
a bit of it. He is much more comfortable
lolling against the stable-door and smoking a
pipe with Tom, Dick, or Harry.

HUNTING. 87

It frequently occurs in the hunting-field
that a horse loses a shoe in going through
heavy ground, or in jumping a fence where he
brings his hind feet too close upon the front
ones, and, catching the toe of the hind shoe
in the heel of the front, drags the latter
forcibly oJBf, and leaves it either on the ground
behind him or carries it for a field or two
hanging by one or two nails to his hoof, before
it finally drops off.

The moment you are made aware that your
horse has cast a shoe, which will generally
be by somebody informing you of the fact,
ascertain at once which of the animal's feet
has been left unprotected. If the lost shoe
happens to be a hinder one, the matter is less
serious, but if a front one should be cast, do
not lose any time in inquiring your road to
the nearest smithy, and, whilst wending your
way thither, be careful to keep as much as
possible upon the grass by the roadside, that
the shoeless foot may not become worn, nor
suffer from concussion by coming in contact
with the hard road.

It is a good plan to send your horse early

88 LADIES ON HORSEBACK.

to the meet : quite in the morning ; or, should
the distance he a long one, despatch him the
previous evening in charge of a careful servant,
and stable him for the night as near as possible
to the point at which you may require him
upon the following day. If you are fortunate
enough to have a friend's house to send him
to, so much the better a great deal ; but
under any circumstances it is pleasanter
both for you and your animal that he should
be fresh and lively from his stable, and not
that you should get upon him when he is half-
jaded and covered with mud, after a long and
tiresome road journey.

To drive to the meet or go by train yourself
is the most agreeable way. Some ladies ride
hacks to covert, and then have their hunters to
replace them, but this is tiresome, and not to
be advocated for various reasons. If the
morning is fine the drive will be pleasant,
and you can then send your conveyance to
whatever point you deem it most Hkely the
hunt wiU leave off. You must, of course,
exercise your judgment in the endeavour to
decide this, but you may assist it considerably

HUNTING. 89

by asking the Master or the huntsman to be
kind enough to give you a hint as to the
direction in which they will most probably
draw.

We will, then, surmise that you drive to the
meet. It is an excellent plan, whether you
drive or go by train, to take with you a small
bag containing a change o. clothing ; leave
this in charge of your servant, with directions
where he is to meet you in the evening, and
then, should you come to grief in a dyke or
river you can console yourself with the
knowledge that dry garments are awaiting
you, and that you will not have to encounter
the risk of cold and rheumatism by sitting in
drenched habiliments in a train or vehicle.
You will also, if wise, take with you a foot-pick
and a few yards of strong twine. Even if you
should not require them yourself you may be
able to obUge others, which is always a pleasure
to a right-minded and unselfish huntress.
Take, likewise, a few shillings in your pocket
to reward, if necessary, the wreckers, whose
tasks are at all times difSicult and laborious,
and too often thankless.

90 LADIES ON HORSEBACK.

Arrived at the meet, your horse and servant
are waiting for you in good time and order ;
but it is a little early yet, and so you look
about you.

What a pretty sight it is ! How full of
healthful interest and charming variety ! The
day is bright and breezy — a little bit cloudy,
perhaps, but no sign of rain. A glorious
hunting morning altogether. Numbers of
vehicles are drawn up, filled with happy-looking
occupants, mostly ladies and children. There
are a good many dog-carts, polo-carts, and a
few tandems, from which gentlemen in ulsters
and long white saving- aprons are preparing to
ahght. It is nice to see their steeds, so
beautifully groomed and turned out, led up to
the trap- wheels for them to mount, without
the risk of soiling their boots. Very particular
are these gentlemen. The day is muddy, and
they know they must be splashed and spattered
as they ride to the covert-side, but they will
not leave the meet with a speck upon horse
or rider. There is a military-looking man —
long, tawny moustache, and most perfect get-up
— divesting himself of his apron, and frowning

HUNTING. 91

because his snow-white breeches are disfigured
by just one speck of dirt ; probably it would
be unobservable to anybody but himseK, yet
he is not the less annoyed. A dapper Httle
gentleman, in drab shorts and gaiters, is
covertly combing his horse's mane ; and a
hoary old fox-hunter, who has just mounted,
has drawn over close to the hedge, and extends
first one foot and then the other for his servant
to remove the blemishes which mounting has
put upon his boots. This extreme fastidious-
ness is carried by some to an absurd excess.
I remember upon one occasion seeing a
gentleman actually re-enter his dog-cart and
drive sulkily away from the meet because he
considered himself too much splashed to join
the cavalcade which was moving away to the
covert, although he was fully aware that a
trot of a few hundred yards upon the muddy
road in company with numerous other horses
would, under any circumstances, have speedily
reduced him to the condition which he was
then lamenting.

A few ladies come upon the scene, and
many more gentlemen ; and then comes the

92 LADIES ON HORSEBACK,

huntsman in proud charge of the beauties.
The whips and second horsemen come also,
and the Master drives up about the same
time, and loses not a moment in mounting his
hunter. The pack looks superb, and many
are the glances and words of commendation
which it receives.

Always have a smile and pleasant word for
the huntsman and whips. They deserve it,
and they value it. I always make it a point
to have a httle conversation with them before
we leave the meet — in fact, I know many of
the hounds in the various packs by name, and
I love to notice them. Nothing pleases the
huntsman more than to commend his charge :
it makes him your friend at once. Many a
time when I have been holding good place in
a run, we have come across some dangerous
fence which it would be death to ride in a
crowd, and the huntsman's shout of ^* Let
the lady first ! " has secured me a safe
jump, and a maintenance of my foremost
position.

All being now ready, you mount your horse.
It would be well if some gentleman friend or

HUNTING. 93

relative would look first to his girths, &c. ;
but, should such not be available, do not be
above doing it yourself. Servants, even the
best, are, as aforesaid, often careless, and a
horse may be sent out with girths too loose,
throat-lash too tight, runners out, or any of
the thousand and one little deficiencies which
an interested and careful eye will at once
detect.

Of course you have not come to hunt without
having secured a good pilot. You have, I
hope, selected somebody who rides well and
straight — boldly, and yet with judgment — for,
beheve me, a display of silly recklessness does
not constitute good riding, however it may be
thought to do so by ignorant or silly persons.
Your pilot will ride a few yards in advance of
you, and it will be your duty to keep him well
in view, and not to get separated from him.
This latter you may at times find difficult, as
others may ride in between, but you must
learn smartness, and be prepared for all
emergencies. Moreover, if your pilot be a
good one, he will see that you keep close to
him, and, by glancing over his shoulder after

^4 LADIES ON HORSEBACK.

clearing each obstacle, will satisfy himself
that you also are safely over, and that no
mischance has befallen you. Any man who
will not take this trouble is unfit to pilot a
lady, for whilst he is careering onward in all
the glories of perfect safety, she may be down
in some ugly dyke, perhaps ridden on, or
otherwise hurt ; and, therefore, it is his
bounden duty to see that no evil befals her.
I cannot say that I consider the position of
a trusty pilot at all an enviable one, and
few men care to occupy it in relation to a
beginner or timorous rider, although they
are ever anxious to place their services at
the disposal of a lady who is known to ''go
straight."

In selecting a pilot, do so with judgment.
Choose one who knows the country, and who
will not be too selfish nor too grand to take
care of you ; for, remember, you are only a
beginner, and will need to be taken care of.
If, then, you have secured the right sort of man,
and your own heart is in the right place, you
may prepare to enjoy yourseK, for a real good
day's hunting is the keenest enjoyment in

HUNTING. 95

which man or woman can hope to participate
in this life.

The trot to the covert-side is iisnally very-
pleasant. You and your horse are quite fresh.
You meet and chat with your friends. The
two, three, or four miles, as the case may he,
seem to glide away very fast. Then comes
the anxious moment when the beauties are
thrown in, and all wait in eager suspense for
the whimper which shall proclaim Reynard
at home. But not a hound gives tongue this
morning. You can see them — heads down,
sterns up, heating here and there through
the gorse — but, alas ! in silence ; and, after
awhile, someone says, *^ No fox here ! " and
presently your ear catches the sound of the
huntsman's horn, and the hounds come
trooping out, almost as disappointed as the
field.

Then the master gives the order for the
next or nearest covert, and there is a rush,
and a move, and a long cavalcade forms upon
the road, headed, of course, by the hounds.
Get well in front, if you can, so as to be
quite up when they reach their next try, for

96 LADIES ON HORSEBACK.

sometimes they find as soon as ever they are
thrown in, and are far away over the country
before the stragglers come up, and great, then,
are the lamentations, for hunting a stern-
chase is, to say the least of it, not cheerful.
You will have another advantage, also, in
being well forward, for your horse will get the
benefit of a temporary rest, whilst those who,
by lagging, have lost time at the start, are
obliged to follow as best they can upon the
track, bucketing their horses, and thus de-
priving them of the chance of catching their
wind — which is, in a lengthened run, of very
material consequence.

One especial difference you observe between
road-riding and hunting : you are obHged to
trot at a fast swinging pace such long tire-
some distances from covert to covert, without
pause or rest, and you feel already half tired
out. Hitherto, when riding on the road, or
in the park, if you felt fatigued you have only
had to pull up and walk ; but on hunting
days there is no walking. The time is too
precious, these short, dark, wintry days, to
allow of such ^* sweet restings." The evening

HUNTING.

closes in so rapidly that we cannot afford to
lose a moment of our time, and so we go
along at a sweeping pace. Nobody who is
unable to trot long distances without rest has.
any business hunting.

■^8 LADIES ON HOESBBAOK.

CHAPTEE VII.

HOUNDS IN COVERT. — THE FIRST FENCE. FOLLOW

YOUR PILOT. A RIVER-BATH. A WISE PRE-
CAUTION. A LABEL ADVISABLE. WALL AND

WATER JUMPING. ADVICE TO FALLEN RIDERS.

HOGGING. MORE TAIL.

You have now arrived at the next covert, and
have seen the hounds thrown in. In an
instant there is a whimper, taken up presently
hy one and another, until the air rings with
the joyous music of the entire pack, as they
rattle their game about, endeavouring to force
him to face the open. The whips are standing
warily on the watch, the huntsman's cheery
voice is heard encouraging the hounds, the
Master is galloping from point to point,
warning off idlers whose uninvited presence

HUNTING. 99

-would be sure to send the ^' varmint " back
into his lair. Your pilot, knowing that a run
from here is a certainty, selects his vantage
ground. Being a shrewd man, he knows
that no fox will face a keen nor'-easter, nor
will he be hkely to brave the crowd of country
bumpkins, who, despite the Master's entreaties,
are clustering about yondei; hedge. In short,
there is only one point from which he can well
break, and so your pilot prepares accordingly.
Another anxious moment ere the *' Gone
away ! Tally-ho ! " rings out upon the keen
air ; and then follows that glorious burst
which is worth giving up a whole year of one's
life to see. Hounds running breast high,
fairly flying, in fact ; huntsmen, whips, horse-
men, all in magnificent flight, each riding
hard for the foremost place, amid such a
chorus of dehcious music as is never heard
from any save canine throats ; and then, when
the first big fence is reached, such hurry and
scurry ! such tumbling and picking up again !
such scrambKng of dogs and shouting of
men ! such cold baths for horses and riders !

and oh, such glory amongst the wreckers, as

7 *

100 LADIES ON HORSEBACK.

they stand tantalizingly at the edge of the
chasm in which so many are hopelessly
struggling, whilst their audacious cries of
" What '11 you give me, sir ? " '* Pull you out
for a sovereign, captain ! " are heard and
laughed at by the fortunate ones who are safe
upon the other side.

Your pilot has been a wise man. He
selected his starting-point at the sound of the
very first opening out, and when the general
scrimmage took place he had his line chosen,,
and so has led you wide of the ruck, yet in
the wake of the hounds.

And here suffer me to advise you, if you
should ever chance to be left without a leader,
do not fall into the mistake of following the
others, for my experience of hunting is that
nine-tenths of those out do not know where
they are going, nor where fox or hounds have
gone before them. Cut out a line for yourself,
and follow the pack. A pilot is, of course, a
great acquisition, if he be a good one, but
throughout some of my best runs I have
performed the office for myself, and have
succeeded in being in at the death. But

HUNTING. 101

then I am not a beginner, and I am sur-
mising that you are. Keep about six yards
behind your leader ; follow him unswervingly,
and jump after him, but not on him. Always
wait till he is well out of the way before you
take the fence in his wake. Your horse will
jump more readily having the example of
his before him, but I cannot too well impress
upon you the necessity of allowing him to get
w^eli over before you attempt to follow. One
of the ugliest falls I ever got in my life
was through riding too close upon my leader.
The run was a very hot one, and only four of
us were going at the time. None, in fact, but
those who had first-rate horses had been able
to live through it. We came to a wide braucL
•of a river, swollen by recent rains. My pilot,
going a rare pace, jumped it safely ; I came
too fast upon him. My horse's nose struck
his animal's quarters, which, of course, threw
my gallant little mount off his balance, and
prevented his landing. He staggered and
fell back, and we both got a drowning ! I
was dragged up with a boat-hook, the horse
swam on until he found a place to scramble

102 LADIES ON HORSEBACK.

up the bank, and then galloped off over the
country. I recollect standing dismally by
that river, my pilot and two wreckers
scrapiiiL; the mud from me, and wringing my
drenched garments, whilst two or three more
were scouring the adjacent lands in search of
my truant steed. When, at length, he was
caught, I had eleven miles to ride to the place
at which I had left my trap, and was obHged
on arriving to change every atom of my
clothing, and wash off the superabundant mud
in a horse-bucket, kindly lent for the occasion.
The fall involved the loss of the run, the
loss of a habit, the loss of many odd shilhngs
to wreckers, the loss of my temper, a wound
from the boat-hook, and a heavy cold, the
result of immersion on a perishing winter
day. All these disasters were the punish-
ments consequent upon my impetuosity in
coming too close upon my leader ; therefore,,
having thus myself suffered, I warn you, from
woful experience, never to tread upon the
horse jumping in advance of you. Allowing,
even, that you do not cannon against him,
there is another casualty which may not

HUNTING. 108

improbably occur. Supposing that he falls
and throws his rider, your horse may in
alighting just chance to plant a foot upon
the empty saddle of the prostrate animal, the
shppery nature of which throws him off his
balance, and you and he roll upon the earth
together — perhaps receiving a kick from your
pilot's struggling mount. From this species
of accident many evils have from time to
time arisen, and therefore I dutifully en-
deavour to put you well upon your guard.
I would also again remind you that if you
really mean to ride an intricate country, you
should never under any circumstances neglect
to bring a change of clothing, for you may
at any moment be dyked, and to remain in
wet garments is highly dangerous, — not so long
as you are exercising, but during the journey
to your home. It is not in the saddle, but
in vehicles and railway carriages that colds
are contracted and the seeds of disease are
sown. It may not be out of place here to
offer you a piece of wholesome advice. Should
you at any time have the ill-fortune to be
riding a kicking horse in the midst of a crowd,

104 LADIES ON HORSEBACK.

always put back your hand when the caval-
€ade pauses, to warn those behind not to
come too close to the heels of your unquiet
«teed. By so doing you may save an accident,
and may, moreover, guard yourself from more
than one anathema. I once saw the horse
of a fiery old General kicked by the mount of
n young nobleman, who thought it not worth
his while to offer an apology. '^ See here,
young man," said the irate officer, riding up
to the offender's side, " whenever you come
out to hunt on brutes like that you should
paste a danger-card upon your back, and not
run the risk of breaking valuable bones. I
have said my say," he added, *^ and. now you
may go to the devil ! "

A few hints next as to jumping.

If, in the course of a run, you meet with
stone walls, do not ride too fast at them.
Always steady your horse at such obstacles,
and follow my oft-repeated advice of leaving
him abundant head-room. If you have to
cross a river or very wide ditch, come fast at
it, in order that the impetus may swing you
safely over ; few horses can cross a wide jump

HUNTING. 105

without having what is called a ** run at it."
Never expect your animal to take such
obstacles at a stand, or under the disadvan-
tages consequent upon coming at them at a
slow pace. Should the leap be a river or
wide water-jump, suffer your horse to stretch
fonvard his head and neck when coming up to
it. If you fail to do so, you will most probably
go in, for an animal who accomplishes his
work requires his liberty as an absolute
necessity, and, if denied it, will teach you,
at the cost of a good wetting, to treat him
next time with greater consideration. You
will frequently see men ride pretty boldly up
to some yawning chasm or ugly bullfinch —
stop and look at it, hesitate an instant, and
then, by cruel spurring, urge an exhausted
animal to take it at a stand. This is truly
bad horsemanship, and leads to many direful
results. A good rider will, on perceiving that
the obstacle is a formidable one, turn his
horse round, take him some little distance
from it, and then, again turning, come fast at
it — k gallop, hands down, horse's head
held straight and well in hand, but without

106 LADIES ON HORSEBACK.

any pulling or nervous reining in. Such a
one wiU be pretty sure to get safely over.

Should your horse, in jumping a fence, land
badly, and slip his hind legs into a gripe or
ditch, do not wait more than an instant to
see if he can recover himself ; you will know
in that time whether he will be likely to da
so. The best advice I can give you is to kick
your foot free of the stirrup and jump off
before he goes back. You will thus keep your
own skin dry ; and, if you have been for-
tunate enough to retain a hght hold of the
rein, you can rescue your horse without much
difficulty ; for an animal, when immersed,
makes such intelligent efforts to release him-
self, that a very trifling assistance upon your
part will enable him to struggle safely to your
side, when you can remount him and try
your chances of again picking up the hounds.
Be cautious, however, in pulling him up, that
you do so over smooth ground. I had a
valuable young horse badly staked last season
through being dragged up over a clump of
brushwood after a fall into the Lara river.

Should your steed peck on landing over a

HUNTING. 107

fence you will be pretty certain to come over
his head, for this is an ugly accident, and one
very Hkely to occur over recently-scoured
drains. You may, however, save both youself
and him, if you are smart in using your hands
in assisting him to recover his lost equili-
brium.

In the event of your horse jumping short
with you, either from having taken off too
soon or from any other cause, and falling
upon you into a gripe, you may (when you
gain a httle experience) be able to stick to
him without leaving the saddle. The first
effort a fallen animal makes is to try to get
up ; therefore, if you are not quite thrown,
hold on to his mane, and as he struggles to
right himself make your effort to regain your
seat. Be guided, however, in doing this by
observing with a quick glance whether there
are thorns or brambles overgrowing the place,
for if there are, and your horse^ on recovering
himseH strides onward in the ditch, seeking a
place at which he may get out, your face will
undoubtedly suffer. This sort of thing once
occurred to me in the course of a day's

108 LADIES ON HORSEBACK.

hunting. I held on to my animal when he
fell, and regained my seat without very much
difficulty, but before I could recover my hold
of the bridle he had rushed forward, and my
face was terribly punished by the overhanging
brambles.

Be very careful, in this matter of hold-
ing on to a fallen animal, not to confound
the mane with the rein. By clinging to the
former you assist yourself without in the
smallest degree impeding the movements of
your horse ; by clinging to the latter you
seriously interfere with his efforts at recovery,
and most probably pull him back upon
you.

And this brings me to the subject of
hogging horses' manes. Never, under any
circumstances, allow an animal of yours to
be 'thus maltreated. Not only is it a vile
disfigurement, depriving the horse of Nature's
loveliest ornament, but it also deprives the
rider of a very chief means of support in
case of accident. Many a bad fall have I
been saved by clutching firmly at the mane,
which an ignorant groom had oft implored

HUNTING. 109

me to sacrifice ; and many a good man and
true have I seen recover himself by a like
action, when a hog-maned animal would
undoubtedly have brought him to grief.
Grooms are especially fond of this system of
^^ hogging," and many a beauteous adjunct
of Nature's forming has been ruthlessly
sacrificed to their ceaseless importunities to
be permitted to ** smarten the baste." Tails,
too, are remorselessly docked by these gentle-
men of the stable ; not that they really think
it an improvement, any more than they
veritably admire the hogging process, but it
saves them trouble, it lightens their labours,
they have less combing and grooming to
attend to. Tails were sent by Nature, not
merely as an ornament, but to enable the
animal to whisk away the flies, which in hot
weather render its life a burthen. Man, the
ruthless master, by a cruel process of cutting
and searing, deprives his helpless slave of
one of its most valued and most necessary
possessions. I do not myself advocate long
switch tails, which are rarely an ornament,
being usually covered with mud ; but I

110 LADIES ON HORSEBACK.

maintain that ** docking " is cruel and un-
necessary, keeping the hairs closely and
evenly cut being quite sufficient for purposes
of cleanliness, without in any way interfering
with the flesh ; therefore, do not reject my
oft-repeated plea for ^* a little more tail."

HUNTING. Ill

CHAPTEE VIII.

HOLDING ON TO A PROSTRATE HORSE. IS IT WISE

OR OTHERWISE ? — AN INDISCREET JUMP. A

DIFFICULT FINISH. THE DANGERS OF MARSHY

GROUNDS. — ENCOURAGE HUMANITY. — A RE-
CLAIMED cabby!

To return to the subject of jumping.

In the event of an ordinary fall in landing
over a fence, it is a vexed question whether
or not it is advisable to hold on by the rein
whilst your horse is on the ground. I do not
now mean when he is sunk in a ditch, but
when he is prostrate upon even grass-land
or upon smooth earth. Many first-rate riders
affirm that it is a highly dangerous practice,
therefore I am afraid to advocate it, and.
must speak with reserve — as I did respecting

112 LADIES ON HORSEBACK.

the management of a rearing animal — but
for my own part I always do it. My ex-
perience is, that when a horse struggles to
his feet his movement is almost invariably
retrograde. He tries to get away, conse-
quently his heels are turned from me ; and
so long as I keep my hold of the bridle his
head will be nearest me and his feet furthest.
He will not think of turning to kick me,
unless lie be a vilely vicious brute, not worth
his keep ; and so I can hold him with safety
until I am up myself and ready to remount
him. When my horse falls with me on the
flat, I roll clear of him without letting go
the rein, and as the only danger of a kick is
whilst he is getting up, I shield my head
with one arm and slip the rein to its fullest
length with the other, thus allowing the
animal so much head-room that he is enabled
to make that retrograde movement, or '' drag-
ging away," which is natural to him, and
which saves me from the possible contact of
his heels.

This is, in my opinion (which I cannot, of
course, pretend to think infallible), the best •

HUNTING. 113

course to pursue. It is the one which I
always adopt, and I have never yet, except
in one trifling instance, received a kick from
a fallen horse.

I remember one day, a couple of seasons
ago, I was riding hard against a very
beautiful Imperial lady, who dearly loves a
little bit of rivalry. Neck and neck we
had jumped most of the fences for forty
minutes or so, and both our steeds were
pretty well beaten, for the running had been
continuous, without a check. We came to an
awful obstacle — a high thick-set hedge, so
impenetrable that there was no chance of
knowing what might be on the other side.
There was but one nttle apology for a gap,
and at this the Empress's pilot rode — imme-
diately putting up his hand as a warning to
us not to follow, and pointing lower down.
I knew that when Bay Middleton thought
there was danger, it did, indeed, exist ; but I
was too much excited to stop. We had the
hunt all to ourselves, the hounds running
right in front of us, and not a soul with them.
I came at the fence with whip, spur, and a

8

114 LADIES ON HOESEBACK.

shout ! My horse — than which a better never
was saddled — rose to the leap, and landing
upon his head after a terrific drop, rolled
•completely over. I was not much hurt, and
whilst he was on his knees getting up, I
scrambled back to the saddle, and went on ;
but, oh ! under what dire disadvantages ! My
rein had caught upon a stake in the fence and
was broken clean off, and I fancy it was this
chuck to my animal's mouth which had thrown
him out of his stride and caused him to blunder^
for it was the first and last mistake he ever
made with me, nor could I, in the hurry of
regaining my seat unassisted, get my foot into
the stirrup ; so I finished the run as if by a
miracle, and astonished myself even more than
anybody else by bringing home the fox's brush
as a trophy that I was in at the death.

Always bear in mind when hunting that
you are bound to save your horse as much as
possible. Jump no unnecessary fences ; look
out for a friendly gate whenever you can find
one at hand ; and in going up hill or over
ploughed land, ease your animal and take
your time. By acting thus judiciously you

HUNTING. 115

will be able to keep going when others are
standing still. Always avoid bogs and heavy
bottoms ; they are most treacherous, and
swamp many an unwary hunter in their
dangerous depths. If you should ever have
the bad fortune to be caught in one, dismount
at once, and lead your horse. It is not a
pleasant thing to have to do, but if you
remain upon him, your weight, added to his
own, will probably sink him up to his saddle-
girths, and there he will stick.

I would desire particularly to impress upon
you that if your horse carries you safely and
brilliantly through one good run, you ought
to be contented with that, and not attempt to
ride him a second. It is through the unwise
and cruel habit of riding beaten animals that
haK the serious accidents occur. Also re-
member that if you are waiting at a covert-
side where there seems likely to be a delay,
after your steed has had ^ gallop or a long
trot, you should get off his back and shift
your saddle an inch one way or the other,
generally backwards, as servants are usually
apt in the first instance to place the saddle

8 *

116 LADIES ON HORSEBACK.

too close upon the withers. By adopting this
plan you will, when you again get upon him,
find him a new animal. If you or I were
carrying a heavy burthen upon our shoulders
for a certain number of hours in precisely the
same position, would it not make a new being
of us to have it eased and shifted ? And
exactly so it is with the horse. A selfish man
will sit all day upon his beast, rather than
take the trouble of getting off his back ; but
against himself does it tell, for his animal is
fagged and jaded when that of a merciful man
is able to keep its place in the run.

There is nothing which should more fully
engross the thoughts of the humane hunter
than kindly consideration towards the noble
and beautiful creature which God has sent to
be the help of man. Your horse should be
your companion, your friend, your loved and
valued associate, but never your wronged and
over-tasked slave. Humanity cries out with
ready uproar against the long Hst of grievances
which animals have to endure, yet how few of
us exert ourselves to lighten the burthen by
so much as one of our fingers ! There is not

HUNTING 117

one of us who may not, if he choose, be daily
and hourly striving to curtail the load of
misery which the equine race is called upon to
bear. We may not be fortunate enough to
possess horses ourselves upon which to exer-
cise our humanity, but can we not do some-
thing— yea, much — for others ? Surely we
can, if we only possess the courage and the
will. Even a word judiciously spoken will
often effect more than we could have hoped
or supposed. Two years ago I saw a cabman
in Dubhn cruelly iU-treating his horse. The
poor animal was resting its worn and tired
body upon the stand, ready for the wrench
which its jaw would receive as soon as the
next prospect of a **fare" should excite the
cupidity of its owner. One would have
thought that the sight of so much patient
misery would have moved the stoniest heart
to suffer the hapless creature to enjoy its
few moments of needed repose. But no ; the
driver wanted some amusement, he was weary
of standing by himself, without some sort of
employment to divert his ignoble mind, and
so he found such out. How? By beating

118 LADIES ON HORSEBACK.

upon the front legs and otherwise crueUy
worrying with the whip the poor iU-used slave
which he should have felt bound to protect.
I saw it first from a distance — more fully as
I came near — and with a heart bursting with
sorrow and indignation, I crossed over and
remonstrated with the man. I said very
little ; only what I have tried to inculcate in
these pages — ^that humanity to quadrupeds is
not only a duty which we owe to their
Creator, but will in time repay ourselves. I
expected nothing but abuse, and, indeed, the
man's angry face and half-raised whip seemed
to augur me no good; but, suddenly, as some-
thing that I said came home to him, his
countenance softened, and, laying his hand
quite gently upon the poor beaten side of the
animal which he had been ill-treating, he
said : *^ Well, if there was more Hke youy there
'ud be less Hke me ! that's the thruth, at all
events.'* And then he said no more, for he
was satisfied that I knew I had not spoken in
vain. For two years that man has been my
constant driver. He is almost daily at my
door: he drives me to and from the trains

HUNTING. 119

when going to and returning from the hunts,
and dearly loves to hear something of the
runs ; nor is there a more humane driver
nor a better cared horse in any city of the
empire.

I have related this true incident, not from
any egotism — God is my witness — but merely
to show you how good is '* a word in season.'*
You may speak many which may be, or may
seem to be, of none effect, but, hke the '* bread
upon the waters," you know not when it may
return unto you blessed.

1^

120 LADIES ON HORSEBACK.

CHAPTEK IX.

SELFISHNESS IN THE FIELD.— FORDING A RIVER.

SHIRKING A FENCE. OVER-RIDING THE

HOUNDS. — TREATMENT OF TIRED HUNTERS.
BIGWIG AND THE MAJOR. NAUGHTY BIG-
WIG.— HAPLESS MAJOR.

You must be particularly cautious in the
hunting-field to avoid being cannoned against.
There is no other place in the whole world
where there is so little ceremony ; and so
very, very little politeness. It is verily a
case of ^' Every man for himself, and the
devil take the hindmost ! " There is scarcely
one man in the entire field who will not in
liis heart of hearts resent your presence, and
so he will pay you no court. The crowding
i)t gaps, and at certain negotiable places in

HUNTING. 121

different well-known fences is simply dis-
graceful; and persons — I cannot call them
gentlemen — ride each other down like dogs.
At such places you will be fortunate if you
can enlist a friend to ride behind you, and
thus prevent your being jumped upon in the
event of a fall.

I must not omit to remind you that in
crossing a ford your horse will be very apt to
lose his footing. You will know when he
does so by his making a kind of plunge, and
an endeavour to swim, which he only does
when he feels himself out of his depth. If at
such a time you interfere with his mouth, he
will inevitably roll over. Your only chance is
to throw him the reins, and let him scramble
or swim as he finds easiest. If the latter, lift
your left leg (with foot still in the stirrup)
completely over the third crutch, that he may
not strike your heel with his near hind foot,
or become in any way entangled with the
stirrup or in your skirt. At the same time
grasp the up-pommel firmly with your hand,
that you may not be unseated when he makes
his second struggle, which he will do as soon

122 LADIES ON HOKSEBACK.

as he recovers his footing at the bottom of the
water.

A horse who shirks his fences is a terrible
infliction to have to ride. Of course the first
refusal condemns you to lose your place, for
it is the etiquette of the hunting-field that if
your horse refuses you must at once draw
aside and let the whole field go by before you
again essay it. But, provoked though you
may be, do not allow yourself to be van-
quished. If you do not now gain the victory
your horse will always be your conqueror.
Bring him again to the leap, keeping his
head straight and your hands low and firm.
If he refuses a second time, bring him round
again and again, always turning him from
right to left — that is, with the pressure upon
you right rein — and not suffering him to have
his own way. Kemember that if you suffer
him to conquer you or bring him to any
other part of the fence than that which he is
refusing, you wiU thoroughly spoil him. Do
not, however, treat him with harshness.
Coax him and speak gently to him. It may
be nervousness, not temper ; and if so, you

HUNTING. 123

will soon get him over by kindly encourage-
ment. The horse is essentially a timid crea-
ture. He is oftentimes subjected to cruelties
for his ''obstinacy," where a little kindness
and a few reassuring words would be infi-
nitely more effectual. Every glance of your
eye, every look upon your countenance is
noted by your horse whilst he can see you,
and, when you are upon his back, your words
fall upon highly sensitive ears. A horse's
soul is full of affection for his owner. He
yearns to please him. He would yield his Hfe
to serve him. Alas ! how is such nobihty
requited ? Man's cruelty converts a peerless
and incomparable companion into a terrified
and trembling slave. Young limbs are heavily
weighted before they have had time to grow ;
dark, wretched, solitary confinement too early
takes the place of the open air and free
pasturage to which the creature would fain a
little longer cling; young heads, pining for
freedom, are tied or chained up in melancholy
imprisonment. The numerous Uttle devices
with which the captive strives to while away
the tedium of its captivity are punished as

124 LADIES ON HORSEBACK.

^* vices " by heartless and ignorant grooms.
Nervousness is called bad temper, and timidity-
regarded as a punishable offence. All the
horrors of the modern stable are brought to
bear upon the priceless creature who is born
to freedom, and whose fettered limbs he is
scarce permitted to stretch. A rack of dry,
and oftentimes vitiated hay is placed ahove the
head which was created to stoop to gather
the juicy grasses of the earth. A measure of
hard dry corn, or a bucket of water, is period-
ically brought and thrust before the prisoner,
who eats and drinks for mere pastime, often
without appetite, and whose frequent rejec-
tion of the offered dainties is regarded as
*' sulkiness " or "vice." The whole system
of modern stable management is lamentably
at fault. I cannot hope to remedy it. I
cannot persuade obstinate humanity that the
expenditure of a few shillings will turn in as
many pounds : that by the bestowal of proper
care, proper housing, light, and exercise, and
proper clothing, food, and drink, the slave
will repay by longer life and more active
service the care and kindness which Chris-

HUNTING. 125

tianity should deem a pleasure and privilege,
instead of, as now, a compulsory and doled-
out gift. I cannot expect to remedy these
wide and universal evils, nor yet can you;
but we are bound — you and I — to guard
against such things in our own management.
If your horse oppose you through nervousness,
you can conquer him by kindness ; if through
obstinacy, which is occasional but not fre-
quent, you must adopt a different plan. Use
your spur and whip, and shovv^ that you will
not be mastered, though you stay there till
the stars come out. You will be sure to
conquer ere long, unless your horse is one of
those inveterate brutes which are, fortunately,
rarely to be met with, and when you succeed
in getting him over the obstacle at which he
has sulked, put him at it again, making him
take it backwards and forwards, and he will
not be hkely to trouble you by a repetition of
Ms pranks.

You must be very cautious in the hunting-
field not to leave yourself open to any
suspicion of over-riding the hounds; keep
close to them, but never so near as to be

126 LADIES ON HORSEBACK.

upon them. Over-riding hounds is a piece
of unpardonable caddishness of which no
gentleman, and certainly no lady, would be
guilty ; yet it is done ; and then, when the
master's wrath is aroused, the innocent suffer
with the guilty, for many who are not abso-
lutely offenders, ride too close in their zeal for
the pleasures of the chase.

When your day's sport is over, and you are
riding back to the place at which you expect
to meet your trap, remember that the easiest
way to bring your horse in is in a quiet jog-
trot. It is nonsense to walk him, for he will
only stiffen, and will be the longer away from
his stable and his needed rest. If you chance
to come across a piece of water, ride him to
it and let him have a few ^^ go downs," — six
or eight, but not more. When you get off his
back, see that his girths are loosed at once,
and, if very tired, a little water thrown over
his feet. He should then be taken quietly
home — if by road, in the same easy trot — and
just washed over and turned into a loose box,
where he can tumble and luxuriate without
submitting to any of the worries of profes-

HUNTING. 127

•sional grooming. Fifteen minutes after my
return from hunting, my horse — sheeted and
comfortable — is feeding quietly in his stall,
enjoying his food and rest ; instead of
standing in some wet corner of a cold yard,
with his unhappy head tied up by an un-
sympathizing rope, and a fussy groom worry-
ing his tired body with a noisy display of
most unnecessary zeal. And this is as
it ought to be. Horses are like human
beings, — they like to rest when wearied, and
their chief desire — if we would only beheve
it —is to be left alone. But we are incre-
dulous, and so we hang about them, and
fuss and worry the fagged and patient crea-
tures who would fain appeal to us for a
cessation of our attentions.

There are few things more truly delightful
than a mutual understanding and affection
between horse and rider, and this can easily
be arrived at by kindness and care. I have
a hunter— Bigwig, son of The Lawyer — who
follows me all over the place, knows my
voice from any distance, rubs his nose
down my dress, puts it into my pocket to

128 LADIES ON HORSEBACK.

look for apples, and licks my hands and face
like a dog ; yet I have done nothing to
induce all this, except treating him with
uniform justice and kindness. He has carried
me most brilliantly through three successive
seasons without one single display of sulk or
bad temper. He knows not the totich of a
whip. I carry one, that the long lash, passed
through his bridle, may assist him when
necessary in getting over a trappy fence, at
which I may deem it prudent to dismount, but
the sight of it never inspires him with fear ;
if I showed it to him, he would probably lick
it, and then gaze inquiringly at me to see
if I were pleased with the novel performance.
To me, this noble and beautiful creature is
a priceless companion ; yet, strange to say,
nobody else (not even the most accompHshed
rider) can obtain any good of him. It is not
that he displays vice, but he simply will not
allow himseK to be ridden. I once happened
to mention this fact at our private dinner-
table, in presence of a distinguished major,
who had been boasting largely of his prowess
n the saddle, and who at once offered to lay

HUNTINa. 129

me ten to one that he would master the
animal in question within five minutes. *^ I
do not bet,'* I said, " but I will venture to
assert that you will not be able to ride hiui
out of the yard within as many hours." He
took me up at once, and, as a good many
sporting men were dining with us, who
evidently enjoyed the prospect of a little
excitement, I quietly called a servant, and
sent orders to the groom to saddle Bigwig
without delay. It was a lovely evening in
summer, and we all adjourned to the yard to
view the performance.

The moment my beautiful pet saw me he
whinnied joyously and strove to approach me,
but I dared not go near him, in case it should
be thought that by any sort of '^ Free-
masonry" I induced him to carry out my
words. The sight was most amusing; the
gentlemen all standing about, smoking and
laughing ; the horse suspicious, and not at
ease, quietly held by the groom, whose face
was in a grin of expectation, for none knew
better than he what was likely to ensue. The
major prepared to mount, and Bigwig stood

9

130 LADIES ON HOESEBACK.

with the utmost placidity ; although I must
confess he was naughty enough to cast back
an eye, which augured no good to the gallant
representative of Her Majesty's service. He
mounted without difficulty, took up the reins,
and evidently prepared for a struggle; but
none such ensued. Bigwig tucked his tail
very tight to his body, walked quietly for-
ward for a yard or two, and then, suddenly
standing up as straight as a whip, the defeated
major slid over his tail upon the hard ground,
whilst the horse trotted back to his box.

I have related for you this anecdote, not
merely for your amusement, but to teach you
never to boast. A braggart is ever the first to
faU, and nobody sympathizes with him. If
you become ever so successful in your manage-
ment of horses, do not exert yourself to pro-
claim it. Suffer others to find it out if they
will ; but do not tell them of it, lest some
day you share the fate of the prostrate and
discomfited major.

HUNTING. 131

1

CHAPTEE X.

DEEDING HOESES. — FOEAGE-BISCUITS. — IRISH PEA-
SANTRY. A CUNNING IDIOT. A CABIN SUPPER.

— THE ROGUISH MULE. — A DAY AT COUR-
TOWN. — ^paddy's OPINION OF THE EMPRESS.

I SAID at the commencement of these pages
that I should offer little or no discourse upon
the general management of horses ; yet, in one
reserved instance, I may be permitted to break
through my rule. If you want your hunters
to thrive, do not let them have a single grain
of raw oats. People have laughed at me when
I said this, and have scarcely waited for the
turning of my back to call me a mad woman ;
but a few of the scoffers have since come to
thank me, and if you adopt my plan you will

9 *

132 LADIES ON HORSEBACK.

think that this little volume would have been
cheap at a ten-pound note. There are, of
course, times when raw oats must be given^
for your horse may not always be in your own
stable. At such times it is a good plan to
mix chopped clover or grass through the
feeding, taking care that grain and clover be
thoroughly mingled. The judicious mixture
of green meat wdll go far towards counteracting^
the binding effects which raw oats will be
likely to have upon a horse not accustomed to-
it, and will also induce him to masticate his
food, which an animal inured to softer feeding^
will otherwise be apt to neglect, wasting the
corn by dropping it from his mouth in a
slobbering fashion, making no use whatever of
his grinders, and swallowing a certain portion
without chewing it at all. I am, for
various tried reasons, a thorough advocate for
Mayhew's and Shingler's style of feeding upon
cooked food, mingled, of course, with good
sweet hay, or an admixture of the juicy grasses
upon which the animal in its unfettered state
would be prone to live.

In my stable-yard are a large boiler and an

HUNTING. 133

unlimited supply of good water. The groom
boils sufficient oats to do for two or three
days, and, when cool, mixes through it a
small proportion of bruised Indian corn. On
this the horses are fed as with ordinary oats
three times daily, and so enjoy the feeding
that not one grain is left in the mangers,
which are placed low upon the ground. The
surest proof of the efficacy of this excellent
and economical feeding is that my horses
never sweat, never blow, never tire. When
other hunters are standing still, mine have
not turned a hair ; and, as prize-winners and
brilliant goers, they cannot be excelled.

The principle I go on is this : — If I eat a
•cupful of raw rice, it certainly does me no
good ; but if I boil it, it makes three or four
times the quantity of good, wholesome,
digestible food, every grain of which goes to
the nourishment of my body. And it is
precisely so with the oats and the horse. In
addition to this feeding, I give abuuda n^e of
good, sweet, moist hay, varied by green food in
summer, substituting carrots in the winter-
time, of which vegetable they are particularly

134 LADIES ON HOESEBACK.

fond. The carrots are given whole, either
from my hand or put loosely in the manger.
I never suffer them to be cut up, unless it be
done very finely, either by myself or under my
supervision, to induce a dehcate feeder to
taste his food through which the chopped
carrots are rubbed. Grooms, with their
accustomed ignorance, are almost always in
favour of the *^ cutting up," but I regard it as
a most dangerous practice. If the carrot be
left whole the horse will nibble at it, and will
bite off just such pieces as he knows he can
chew and swallow, but there is more than
one instance upon record of horses choking
themselves with pieces of cut carrot, and very
many who have nearly done so. I can feed
my horses upon this system for very little
more than half the sum which my neighbours
are expending, with advantages which are
certainly fourfold. I consider it an excellent-
plan to vary horses' feeding, as it tells quite
as beneficially upon animals as upon ourselves ;
— and for this purpose there cannot, in my
opinion, be anything better than the forage-
biscuits, manufactured by Spratt & Co.^

HUNTING. 135

Henry Street, London, ten of which are equal
to one good feed of oats, and are so relished
that not so much as a crumb is suffered to go
to waste. They combine all the most nutritious
of grains, with dates and linseed added in such
proportions as experience has pointed out to
the inventor to be the best. They are then
baked, and thoroughly dried, so that they are
entirely deprived of moisture, and wiU con-
sequently keep good for any length of time.
The baking process being complete, they are,
when eaten, practically half-digested, — or, as
I may say, they present the materials to the
horse in the most digestible form in which it
is possible to give them. There are certain
chemicals used in very minute quantities in
the manufacture of these biscuits, which are
productive of highly beneficial effects upon
animals thus fed, — improving their muscular
development, and imparting to their coats a
pecuHarly healthy and brilliant appearance.
One feed of the forage-biscuits three or four
times weekly is the proper allowance, — and
they should be given whole, as the same
objection appHes to the breaking of them

136 LADIES ON HORSEBACK.

as I have set forth in my dissertation upon
the cutting up of carrots.

I now desire to warn you that if you
hunt in Ireland you must be prepared for
the laughable and most ingenious frauds
which the poor people — alas ! how poor — will
certainly endeavour to practise upon you.
I can, and do most fully, commiserate their
poverty, but with their attempts at im-
position I have long since lost patience.
Doubtless they think that everybody who
hunts is of necessity a rich person, and
conceive the idea that by fleecing the wealthy
they will aid in blotting out the poverty of
the land. Nothing delights the old cottage-
woman more than to kill an ancient hen or
duck on a hunting-morning, and then, when
the hunt comes sweeping past her door, out
rushes the beldame with the bird concealed
beneath her apron, and throwing it deftly —
positively by a species of sleight of hand —
beneath your horse's hoofs, kicks up a mighty
whining, and declares that you have " kilt her
beauty-ful fowl ! " I was so taken aback upon
the first of these occasions that I actually

HUNTING. 137

stopped and paid the price demanded ; but,
finding that the same thing occurred the
following week in a different locality, I
ascertained that it was a trick and declined to
be further hocussed.

It is likewise a common thing for a man to '
accost you, demanding a shilling, and declaring
that it was he who pulled your ladyship's
horse out of the ditch or quagmire on such
and such a day. You do not remember ever
having seen his face before ; but if you are a
hard-riding lady you will be so frequently
assisted out of difficulties that you cannot
undertake to say who nor how many may have
helped you unrewarded, and, being unwilling
that any should so suffer, you bestow the coin,
most likely in many instances, until you find
that your generosity has become known and
is consequently being traded upon.

I remember one day, a couple of winters
ago, when returning from hunting, I lost my
way, and being desirous of speedily re-linding
it, I accosted a ragged being whom I saw
standing at a corner where four roads met,
and inquired of him the most direct route to

138 LADIES ON HOESEBACK.

the point wliicli I was desirons of reaching.
The creature hitched his shoulders, scratched
his collarless neck, pushed the hat from his
sunburnt forehead, and, finally, looking down
and rubbing the fore-finger of his right hand
upon the palm of his left, thus delivered him-
self:

** I axed him for a ha'penny, and he wouldn't
give it to me ; but he put his hand into his
pocket and pulled out a pinny, and gave it to
me, and I took it in — ho, ho ! and he gave me
a letter to take up to Mrs. Johnston, and when
I took it to her, she opened it and read it.
Now, didn't I give her the letter ? '\

" Keally," said I, ^* I know nothing about
Mrs. Johnston nor her letter. I want to know
the nearest way to Dunboyne station."

"I axed him for a ha'penny," began the
man again. And then I had the whole story
of the *' pinny" and "Mrs. Johnston " repeated
for me over and over, without a smile or any
variation, until my vexation vanished, and I
fairly roared with laughter. Guessing at once
how the land lay, I produced a little coin
with which I presented him, and which he

HUNTING. 139

immediately pocketed, and, touching his
ragged feather, pointed down one of the roads,
and said quite sensibly, ** That's the right
road, my lady." And so I found it. This
man, I was subsequently informed, made quite
a respectable maintenance by stationing him-
seK at the cross-roads on daily duty, and
informing every passer-by that he ** axed
for a ha'penny " but was generously treated to
a ** pinny," together with the story of Mrs.
Johnston and her letter, accompanied by all
the shruggings, and scratchings, and snif&ngs,
which never failed to provoke the laughter of
the hearer and to elicit the coveted coin.

The Irish, with all their little faihngs, are
a hospitable people, and full of pungent wit.
I was one evening wending my way to Sallins
station, after a long and wearisome day's
hunting. My tired horse was suffering from
an over-reach, and I was taking him as quietly
as I could, consistently with my anxiety to be
in time to catch the train by which I desired
to return to town. So utterly jaded were we
both — I and my steed — that the way appeared
very long indeed, and I asked the first country-

140 LADIES ON HORSEBACK.

man whom I met how far it was to Sallins.
*' Three miles," he told me, and I jogged on
again. When we had traversed quite a long
distance, and I thought I must be very near
my journey's end, I ventured upon asking the
same question of a farmer whom I met riding
a big horse in an opposite direction to that in
which I was myself going. It was a matter
of about two miles, he told me, or mayhap
three, but not more he thought, and I was
certainly not going wrong ; I was on the right
road, and no mistake. I took out my watch.
No hope for me now. I w^as undoubtedly
late for the train which I had hoped to catch,
and must wait two long hours for the next. A
poor-looking little cottage was close at hand ;
to it I trotted, and looked in at the door. The
family were at supper, all gathered about a
narrow table, in the middle of which lay a
pile of unpeeled potatoes and a little salt.
The mule, upon which much of their fortune
depended, was supping with them ; thrusting
his poor attenuated nose over the shoulders
of the children, and occasionally snatching a
potato, always receiving a box for so doing, to

HUNTING. 141

•which, however, he paid no sort of heed. I
was at once invited to enter, and gladty
accepted the invitation, for I was cold and
tired, pleased to ease my horse and get him
a draught of meal and water. I sat down in
he chimney-corner, thankful for the rest,
but determined to withstand all entreaties to
share the family supper, and my risible facul-
ties were sorely put to the test, w^hen my
host, balancing a potato upon his fork and
dipping it in the salt, presented it to me,
saying, '' Arrah ! take it my lady, just /or the
jig o' the thing!'' Of course I took it; and
never have I enjoyed the richest luxury of an
a la Russe dinner more than that simple potato
in a poor man's cabin, in company with the
mule and the pigs. When I stood up to go
I carefully inquired the distance, for it was
dark, and I had long since lost the remainder
of my party. The man offered to accompany
me to the station, and I believe he was
actuated solely by civility, and not by any
hope of gain. My horse was sadly done up ;
he had stiffened on the over-reach, and limped
painfully. We proceeded but slowly, and,

142 LADIES ON HOKSEBACK.

sighing for the patient suffering of my dearly-
loved steed, I made the observation that the
miles were very long indeed. " They are long,
my lady," said the man, who was walking
before me with a lanthorn ; ** but, shure and
faith, if they're long they're narra' ! " And
with this most intelligent observation he
closed his mouth, and left me to ponder upon
it undisturbed until we arrived at the station.

One more anecdote, and I have done with
them.

On one of last season's hunting-days the
hounds met at Courtown, and great excitement
was abroad, for the Imperial lady was expected
to join the chase. She was, however, pre-
vented through indisposition from attending,
but Prince Liechtenstein and a very dis-
tinguished company came over from Summer-
hill. As we were trotting to the covert the
country-folks were all on the alert, for not
having heard of the disappointment respecting
the Empress they were anxiously expecting
her, and many were the surmises respecting
her identity. I was riding close to the front,
escorted by Lord Cloncurry, and as we swept

HUNTING. 143

past one of the wayside cottages, two men
and a woman rushed out to stare at us and to
give their opinions upon the *' Impress."
" Which is she ? '' cried the female, shading
her eyes to have a good look, — *^That must
be her in front, with his lordship. Oh ! isn't
she lovely ? A quane, every inch ! *'

" Arrah! shut up, woman," said one of the
men, testily interrupting her. " That's not
her at all, nor a taste Hke her ! The Impress
is a good'lookin' woman,^^ I need not say that
this genuinely-uttered remark took the wind
completely out of my sails, and that I have
never since dreamed of comparing my personal
appearance with that of any woman whom an
Irishman would call ** good-lookin'.'*

144 LADIES ON HORSEBACK.

CHAPTEK XI.

THE DOUBLE-RISE. — POINTING OUT THE RIGHT

FOOT. THE FORCE OF HABIT. VARIOUS

KINDS OF FAULT-FINDING. — MR. STURGESS*

PICTURES. — AN ENGLISH HARVEST-HOME. A

JEALOUS SHREW. A SHY BLACKSMITH. HOW

IRISHMEN GET PARTNERS AT A DANCE.

I SHALL now touch very briefly upon one or
two points which I have not before mentioned,
but which may, nevertheless, prove interesting:
to some lady riders.

Firstly, then, I shall speak of the annoyance
— ^sometimes a serious one — which ladies
experience from what is known as the double
nse in the trot. I have been asked is it pre-
ventible. Before suggesting a remedy for
anything — be it ailment or habit — we must

HUNTlNa. 145

endeavour to get at the cause of the evil com-
plained of. The most successful medical men
are those who first take time and pains to
ascertain the wherefore, and then seek to effect
the cure.

The extremely ungraceful and unpleasant
motion known as the ** double rise " is attribut-
able to two distinct causes. It is due either to
the horse or to the rider, and to the one quite
as frequently as to the other. A large, heavy
animal, with slow and clumsy action will, if
ridden by a lady, be almost certain to necessi-
tate the double rise. This I know by the
certainty derived from experience. I was
staying some^time ago at a house in the midst
of our finest hunting county in Ireland,
namely, royal Meath. The owner was a
great hunting-man in both senses of the word,
for he was a superb cross-country rider, and,
if put in the scales, would pull down sixteen
stone. Being a top-weight^ he always rode
immense horses — elephants I used to call
them, greatly to his indignation. Very good-
he was about lending me one of these huge
creatures whenever I felt desirous of joining

10

146 LADIES ON HORSEBACK.

the chase, which I confess was but seldom,
for the first day upon which I accepted a
mount we left off eighteen miles from home,
and I was so exhausted by the time we
arrived there, that I fairly fainted before
reaching my own chamber. It was not the
distance which tired me, although it was a
pretty good one, but the fact that I was
troubled with the double-rise all the way.
I strove in vain to remedy it by urging my
gigantic steed to a faster trot, and making
him go up to his bridle ; but the moment I
began to experience a little relief, my com-
panion— dear old man, now in heaven ! — would
say, **Well, that is the worst of ladies
riding : they must always either creep in a
walk, or bucket their horses along at an
unnecessary pace. Why can't you jog on
quietly, as I do ? " He was clearly not suffer-
ing from the annoyance which was vexing
and fatiguing me. I looked at him closely,
watched his motion in the saddle — that slow,
slow rise and fall — I compared it with mine,
our pace being the same, and the mystery was
at once solved. Both horses were trotting

HUNTING. 147

exactly together, keeping step, as the saying
goes, yet my companion was at ease whilst I
was in torment. Why was this ? Because he
had a leg at either side of his mount, his
weight equally distributed, and an equal
support upon both sides ; in fact, he had, as
all male riders have, the advantage of a double
support in the rise ; consequently, at the
moment when his weight was removed from
the saddle, it was thrown upon both feet, and
this equal distribution enabled him to accom-
phsh without fatigue that slow rise and fall
which is so tiring to a lady, whose weight
when she is out of the saddle is thrown
entirely upon one delicate Hmb, thus inducing
her to fall again as soon as possible, which,
if riding a clumsy animal, she is constrained to
do at variance, as it were, with his tedious and
heavy motion, and hence the inconvenience
of the double rise.

To illustrate my meaning, and explain more
fully how it happens that men never complain
of this particular evil : a man will be able to
stand in his stirrups for a considerable time,
even to ride a gallop so doing, because he

10 *

148 LADIES ON HORSEBACK.

ia^ansfers his weight eqimlkj to his feet; but
liow rarely do we see a lady balanced upon
one leg ! Never, except it be for a single
instant whilst arranging her skirt or trying
her stirrup. The sensation is not agreeable,
and would be, moreover, unpleasantly pro-
ductive of wrung backs.

A heavy horse is never in any way suitable
to a lady. It looks amiss. The trot is invariably
laboured, and if the animal should chance to
fall, he gives his rider what we know in the
hunting-field as " a mighty crusher ! " It is,
indeed, a rare thing to meet a perfect " lady's
horse.'* In all my wide experience I have
met but two. Breeding is necessary for
stability and speed — two things most essential
to a hunter ; but good light action is, for a
roadster, positively indispensable, and a horse
who does not possess it is a burden to his
rider, and is, moreover, exceedingly unsafe, as
he is apt to stumble at every rut and stone.

The double rise may also, as I said, be quite
attributable to the rider. A careless way of
riding may occasion it, sitting loosely in the
saddle, and allowing your horse to go asleep

HUNTING. 149

over his work. Pull your mount together, so
as to throw his weight upon his haunches, not
upon his shoulders. Keep your reins close in
hand. Eise, so that you shall be out of the
saddle when his off fore-leg is thrown out,
and I do not think you will have much to
complain of from the annoyance occasioned
by the double rise.

I have dwelt upon this subject because so
many have asked me privately for a cure for
it, and I have surmised that numerous others,
who have not had opportunity — nor perhaps
courage — to ask, will nevertheless be pleased
to receive a hint.

It has also been inquired of me whether
there is any remedy for that excessively
unsightly practice of sticking out the right
foot when in the saddle, as we have seen so
many ladies do, until the toe is positively
almost resting upon the horse's neck. There
is, of course, a remedy ; a nlost effectual one.
Don't do it. It is quite possible and even easy
to keep the right leg as close to the saddle as
the left, the toe pointing downward, and the
knee well bent. I know, however, that in

150 LADIBB ON HORSEBACK.

some cases the position objected to is conse-^
quent upon the np-pommel of the saddle
being placed too near the off one, thus there
is not sufficient space for the leg to lie easily,
and consequently it sticks out in the ungrace-
ful manner so often seen and deplored.

In many instances, also, it is habit ; a bad
practice, indulged in at first without notice,
and then, when confirmed, most difficult to
eradicate. These pernicious habits are ex-
tremely apt to grow upon all of us, unless
most carefully watched, I have seen ladies
utterly disfigure their appearance in the saddle
by placing a hand upon their side, or, worse
again, behind their back, and riding along in
this jaunty style with an air as though they
thought themselves the most elegant creatures
in creation. Others keep their elbows a-kimbo,
and fairly churn themselves in the saddle with
every rise and fall. Others, again, acquire a
habit of tipping their horse with the whip in
an altogether unnecessary manner. It is not
actually enough to hurt the animal, but is
amply sufficient to worry and ruffie his
temper. No horse fit to carry a lady requires

HUNTING. 151

to be constantly reminded of his work. A
wliip in a woman's hand should be more for
show, and to give completeness to the picture,
than for purposes of castigation. Nothing
looks worse nor more ungentle than to see it
wantonly applied. It has been said, ** Spare
the rod and spoil the child," but I cannot
agree with the theory. Eod and whip may
be alike useful in (happily) isolated cases, but
I do not envy the disposition of child or
animal who cannot be made amenable by less
ungentle means. Practices which are the
result of habit may be checked, and quite
effectually, by the bestowal of a little care.
We want first some kindlv friend to tell us of
them ; we next require the common sense
and good feeling not to be offended at the
telHng ; and, finally, we need the patience
and perseverance which are born of the deter-
mination to overcome the fault. With regard
to the telling, how few of us know how to
tell ! There are just the two ways, or perhaps
I should say three. There is the cold, carp-
ing, disagreeable fault-finding manner, which
picks holes for the mere pleasure of picking

152 LADIES ON HORSEBACK.

them, and the unworthy^ delight of seeing
how the victim writhes beneath the torture.
There is the snake-like, insidious fault-
finding— the worst and most dangerous of
all — which invariably commences with the
words, '* You know, my dear, I am only
telling you for your own good." This species
of fault-finding is pecuHar to the female friend,
and is invariably served up with an admixture
of honey and gall, so skilfully compounded
that the very soul of the listener is exercised
and deceived. "Her words were smoother
than oil, yet were they drawn swords.''
Lastly, there is the genuine, honest, open-
hearted, fault-finding, which bears no malice,
and is too true to clothe itself with the gar-
ment of deceit. By this alone we should
be influenced or seek to influence others ;
but, for my own part, as I have already said,
I have found the world so inordinately
self-opinionated and determined not to be
advised, that I have long since ceased to offer
counsel, and only give it when requested.
Long ago, when I first began to write, I was
jealous of all interference, and invariably pre-

HUNTING. 153

faced my letters to my Editors with, " Please
do not alter anything in my J MS/* Poor
blind child I was then, groping about in the
dark, and sadly needing the helping hand
which I was so obstinately rejecting. Well,
we gain sense with years, and wisdom with
experience. Now that I have got on in the
world, in every sense of the word, I am only
too anxious for advice, and ready to grasp at
every friendly hint.

And so it should be with riding as with
writing. Take all kindly counsel in good
part, and if given advice ask for more. Bad
habits grow upon us with giant force ; they
strengthen with our strength, because we know
not of them, or blindly refuse to be controlled.
I dare say a good many of us are acquainted
with a very famous queen of song who always
holds her hands crossed and her thumbs
turned stiffly up whilst she is singing. I do
not beheve she is at all aware of the pecu-
liarity of her attitude, and perhaps she could
not sing half so well nor sweetly if she altered
it. In Hke manner I told you, in the earlier
portion of this volume, of a young lady who

154 LADIES ON HORSEBACK.

could not ride a yard without laying a firm grip
upon the off-pommel of her saddle. These
things are habit ; we do them without con-
sciousness ; we are not aware of anything
unusual in ourselves, but when the knowledge
comes to us (which it soon will if we are known
to possess sufficient sweetness to take a hint)
we should turn it to advantage, and so
. improve with time.

I recollect that when these writings of
mine were first issued in the journal to which
they originally owed their appearance, a dear
lady wrote to me all the way from Ehode
Island, U.S.A., asking me for hints upon
various subjects, and hkewise offering me a
few such, with so much sweetness that I not
alone accepted, but welcomed and adopted
them. She asked me many questions relative
to the pictures with which my various subjects
were illustrated, and admired very warmly the
spirited drawings which Mr. Sturgess had
made of my leap into the farmyard and also
of " The first fence.'' Many of my readers
may recollect them ; and as there was, at the
time, much discussion respecting the position

HUNTING. IbJ

of my feet as ponrtrayed in the former picture,
I take this opportunity of ranging myseK upon
the artist's side, for, after much thoughtful
inspection of the picture, I arrived at the
conclusion that he was perfectly correct, and
the position quite such as must of necessity
be, in the event of a runaway steed clearing
such an obstacle with a wearied and startled
rider scarce able to retain her seat upon his
back. Even had the artist been mistaken —
which I am bound to say he was not — the
matter need scarcely have evoked criticism,
for his strong point is his dehneation" of
horses, and as he has no equal in this par-
ticular branch of art, he may well be forgiven
if such trifles as a lady's feet occasionally
puzzle him a little ! Moreover, he draws with
a view to producing effect as much as en-
suring stereotyped correctness. I recollect
when I saw that picture I sounded my pro-
test against the flowing skirt and flying veil :
two things quite foreign to my style of riding-
dress, which is always severely close-fitting
and curtailed. His answer certainly carried
weight. The skirt and veil were necessary

156 LADIES ON HORSEBACK.

to impart an appearance of rapid motion, or
flying through the air. He was quite right,
and I was decidedly wrong. I felt ashamed
of myself, begged his pardon mentally, and
atoned for my audacity by henceforward
believing blindly in his judgment.

I recollect laughing much at the time at a
grave suggestion made to me by a dear old
lady, who thought there might be a particular
reason why Mr. Sturgess was (in her opinion)
less successful in depicting lady equestrians
than when pursuing any other branch of his
enchanting art. Neither she nor I had or
have, unfortunately, the pleasure of his per-
sonal acquaintance, but we thought there
might possibly be somebody in authority who
strongly objected to his studying the details
of the fair creatures whom he has occasionally
to draw. To show that such things may be,
and actually are, in real life, I recollect that
when I was staying some two or three years
ago at a famous house in the north of Eng-
land, a gay harvest-home took place, and the
servants and labourers had a dance in the
barn. I and my husband, our host and

HUNTING. 157

hostess, and numerous guests staying at the
castle, went out to see the fan, and greatly
was I struck with the gallant appearance ol
the old barn, so gaily decorated with corn,
and the fiddler fiddling away upon a beer-
barrel! A mighty cheer was raised for us
when we all, in full evening dress, joined the
motley company of revellers, and the lord of
the soil led off a country dance with a blushing
mountain-lass, followed by her ladyship with
an equally humble partner. The blacksmith
was an Irishman, and looked very shy, as
Irishmen invariably do in presence of the
fair sex (?) I knew him as a workman upon
the estate — I knew also that his wife, a very
ugly woman, was a terribly jealous shrew —
and, actuated by a spirit of mischief, I went
and asked him to dance ; but he only grinned,
blushed, and said, <* No, thank you, ma'am ;
I'm a married man / " My husband, who was
standing by, said laughingly, " Why, Brian,
you ought to feel flattered to be asked. Give
Mrs. O'Donoghue your arm, and take your
place for the dance." " 0, faix," said Brian,
hastening to obey, '*if you have no objection,

158 LADIES ON HORSEBACK.

I'm sure I have none. Let her come on!
Only/' he added, pausing and scratching
his head, **begorrah, I hope my wife won't
see me ! "

HUNTING. 169

CHAPTEE XII.

SUBJECT OF FEEDING RESUMED. — COOKED FOOD

RECOMMENDED. EFFECTS OF RAW OATS UPON

" PLEADER." servants' OBJECTIONS.

SNAFFLE-BRIDLE, AND BIT-AND-BRIDOON.

kindness to THE POOR. AN UNSYMPATHE-
TIC LADY. — AN UNGALLANT CAPTAIN. WHAT

IS A GENTLEMAN? AU BEVOIR f

My remarks upon the subject of feeding horses,
having gained publicity through the columns
of the press, have called forth much comment
and adverse criticism. Some have evidently
considered — and have not he.sitated to say —
that I have written the veriest twaddle ; but
happily there is a reverse side to the picture,
and many (including one very august personage
indeed) have expressed a determination to

''.60 LADIES ON HORSEBACK.

adopt my system. Beans are such excellent
feeding that I cannot object to an admixture
of them, and to most EngHsh horses they are
almost a necessity ; but in Ireland we care little
about them. It is unwise to give too much hay.
I said ** abundance " on a former page, but the
word, as I used it, did not signify a large
quantity. For horses led three times daily
upon a plentiful measure of oats, crushed
Indian corn, and beans if desired, a few
handfuls of hay will be amply sufficient, and
this should be placed where the horse can
stoop to it, but never above him, as in the
effort to disengage it from the rack the seeds
fall in his eyes and produce irritation, and
sometimes permanent disease.

A bran-mash on a Saturday night, or after
a hard day, forms an admirable variety o the
ordinary feeding routine. Let the bran be
thoroughly well steeped and mixed, and a
portion of cooked oats or chopped carrots
intermingled with it. This will induce almost
any animal to partake of the bran, from which
otherwise many dehcate feeders will resolutely
turn.

HUNTING. 161

I have strongly recommended cooked
feeding, even against the uproar of a general
outcry against it, because I have seen and
proved its efficacy. Last November, on the
first Tuesday in the month — the opening day
with the Kildare hounds — we had a splendid
run, during which, however, I was amazed to
find that my great horse. Pleader, sweated
heavily — a thing which had never previously
been the case. In fact, it had always been my
boast that when other horses were thoroughly
done, mine had not turned a hair ; but, on the
day in question, he was in a white lather, and
I thought appeared distressed. Upon coming
home, and speakiag about it in my stable, I
was informed that the boiler was in some
way out of order, and the horses had, un-
known to me, been fed upon uncooked oats
during the preceding three days. Had I
required any confirmation of my theory, this
circumstance would certainly have famished
it, and entirely defeats the general sup-
position that cooked food renders horses
soft.

I have now given the best advice I can

11

162 LADIES ON HORSEBACK.

upon the subject of feeding, and I shall not
again refer to it, nor to anything connected
with the treatment or stable management of
horses, as the subject is an endless one, every-
body entertaining an opinion of his own, which
it shall not be my ambition to upset. What
I have said has been in kindness, and with a
view to benefiting both man and beast ; but I
do not by any means expect the majority of
my readers to coincide in my views. There
is a stolid determination general throughout
the world to stick to old customs and old-
fashioned ways and habits, no matter how
excellent the modern ones may be, and so the
^* horse and mill" go daily round. Masters
object to my system because it involves an
outlay in the erecting of a proper boiler and
other necessary adjuncts ; servants object to
it because it gives them a little additional
trouble. It is far easier to lounge to the oat-
bin, fill a measure from it, and thrust it before
the animal, not caring whether it is rejected
or otherwise, than to fetch the water and fill
the boiler and go through the labours of a
process which, in itseK exceedingly simple, is

HUNTING. 163

made to appear complicated and laborious by
the amount of fass and discontent which are
brought to bear upon the work. There is an
old saying, "If you want a thing well done,
do it yourself" ; but, unfortunately, there are
some things — and this is one — which ladies
and gentlemen cannot do, and there is no
doubt whatever that servants accustomed to
the old style of management will never
willingly adopt the new — imless they belong
to that rare and select and most exclusive few
who have their masters' interest at heart.

Much information has been asked of me
relative to the subject of holding reins. How
often shall I say that there is no fixed rule,
and that a method which may look well for
park-riding will be totally out of place in the
hunting-field. I have been asked how I hold
my own bridle, and I shall answer that I
almost invariably ride with a single rein, and
you can understand my method readily if you
will follow me whilst I endeavour to explain.
Take your pocket-handkerchief, pass it through
the back of any ordinary chair, and bring the
ends evenly towards you, holding them for

11 *

164 LADIES ON HORSEBACK.

an instant with your right hand, which musty
pro tern,, represent the buckle. Place your left
hand within the loop thus formed, the httle
finger resting firmly against the near-side,
about four inches above the right hand; grasp
the opposite side between the forefinger and
thumb, left hand (the two sides of the hand-
kerchief representing the reins); press the
off-side sHghtly inward with the pressure of
your thumb, slipping it entirely away from
the control of the right hand ; then bring the
near-side, which still is held loosely by the
right, under the thumb of the left, and hold it
firmly. You will thus see that you estabhsh
a sort of *' cross rein," and that you have,
and are able to maintain, a secure grip upon
either side. By an outward movement or
slight turning of the wrist, accompanied by
pressure of the httle finger, you will control
your horse upon the near-side of his mouth,
whilst by an inward movement and pressure
of the forefinger you will be able to command
him upon the other or off-side. It must be
borne in mind that these movements should
be from the wrist only, and not from the arm

HUNTING. 165

or shoulder. A good rider will keep the
elbows close to the sides, just drawing the
line finely between that pinioned look which
is so disfiguring, and the detestable flapping,
like the wings of an unquiet bird, in which
so many riders, both male and female, so
frequently indulge. I have seen ladies, who
wished to have an appearance of hard riding,
leaning forward in the saddle and working their
elbows in an unsightly manner, the hands
(inlluenced by the elbows) sawing also, and
the poor horse, with open mouth and straining
jaws, staggering along in distress, fighting his
bridle, and presenting altogether a melancholy
spectacle. A firm even seat, elbows close,
head erect, and strong steady hands held lu:r
— these are the characteristics of a good and
lady-like rider. In going across country put
both hands to your bridle, and keep your
horse's head straight and well in hand, but
do not attempt to pull him nor interfere with
him at his fences, or you will undoubtedly
come to grief. If you ride with a bit and
bridoon my advice is, ride your horse — even
though he be a puller — upon the snaffle, and

166 LADIES ON HORSEBACK.

keep the curb rein looped over yoiir little
finger, hanging quite loose, yet in such a
position that you can if necessary take it up
at a second's notice.

I cannot too often impress upon you the
advisability of being conciHatory and kind in
your manner to everybody with whom you
may come in contact. No matter how exalted
your rank may be, you can all the better
afford to be courteous to those beneath you.
Kind words cost nothing, and are as balm to
the hearer. Many of the lower orders are
quite as much gentry at heart, and far more
so, than those who hide their unworthinesa
beneath the convenient shadow of a ^* family
tree." I have been more than once pained
upon hunting days by the extreme contempt
and rudeness with which ladies have treated
the poor, who have asked nothing from them
save the innocent and inexpensive privilege of
seeing them mount and canter away with the
field. It is all very well to say, " I do not
like to be stared at," but even to those wha
most dislike it, surely it is worth a little self-
sacrifice to see the undisguised enjoyment

HUNTING. 167

and listen to tlie original observations of the
Irish peasantry, to whom a sight of the hounds
— especially when followed by ladies — is a
treat they never care to miss.

I was riding last winter in company with a
lady, very noble, very handsome, very proud.
We came up to a branch of a river, upon the
brink of which some country folk had gathered,
with the innocent desire of seeing it jumped.
A poor man, very quiet-looking and harmless,
was actually knocked down and immersed in
the water by a reckless young officer, who
galloped over him, and went on without even
glancing back at the spot where the poor half-
drowned creature stood wringing his dripping
clothing, yet not uttering a syllable of re-
proach. My companion roared with laughter,
first at the catastrophe, and then at me for
sympathising with the sufferer. " Apologise ! "
she cried, in a high key. '^ How could Captain
Dash apologise to a man like that ? It would
be different had he been a gentleman." I
thought so too, if the meaning of the word
"he" had only been reversed; but I said
nothing, and we went on.

168 LADIES ON HORSEBACK.

A few fields further we came to a terrible
obstacle — a high post and rails, with a deep
and yawning ditch upon the landing side.
Three or four of us went at it : the rest turned
away and sought the road. I got over safely,
my noble Pleader proving himself, as usual,
worthy of my confidence. Captain Dash
came next, safely also ; and then my ill-
starred lady friend, whose horse (an inferior
timber-jumper) bungled, and left her com-
pletely prostrate upon the wet earth. Never
a pause did Captain Dash make in his onward
career, although he glanced back when he
heard her shriek, and, incredible as it may
appear, I thought 1 saw him smile, for it was
ever his saying that ladies had no business
hunting, and always deserved mischance;
but the poor man, at whose immersion she
had laughed a few moments before, came
running to her relief, rendered her every
assistance in his power, replaced her in the
saddle, expressed regret for her accident, and
positively declined to accept of any remunera-
tion for his services.

Which of these men, think you, was the

HUNTING. 169

gentleman ? I know what I thought respect-
ing the question ; and I judged that my friend's
opinion was formed as mine, for she now loves
and cares the poor, and suffers the rich to
care themselves, as every true-hearted and
Christian woman should; and, moreover, on
glancing over a book of my poems which I
lent her some time later, I found a leaf turned
down, as though to mark these lines—

** What is a gentleman ? Is it a thing
Decked with a scarf-pin, a chain, and a ring,
Dressed in a suit of immaculate style,
Sporting an eye-glass, a hsp, and a smile ?
Talking of operas, concerts, and balls,
Evening assemblies, and afternoon calls,
Sunning himself at *' at homes " and bazaars,
Whisthng mazurkas, and smoking cigars ?

** What is a gentleman ? Say, is it one
Boasting of conquests and deeds he has done,
One who unblushingly glories to speak
Things which should call up a flush to his cheek?
One who, whilst railing at actions unjust,
Eobs some young heart of its pureness and trust;
Scorns to steal money, or jewels, or wealth,
Thinks it no crime to take honour by stealth ?

170 LADIES ON HORSEBACK.

*' What is a gentleman ? Is it not one
Knowing instinctively what he should shun,
Speaking no word that could injure or pain,
Spreading no scandal and deep'ning no stain ?
One who knows how to put each at his ease,
Striving instinctively always to please ;
One who can tell by a glance at your cheek
When to be silent, and when he should speak ?

" What is a gentleman ? Is it not one
Honestly eating the bread he has won.
Living in uprightness, fearing his God,
Leaving no stain on the path he has trod ?
Caring not whether his coat may be old,
Prizing sincerity far above gold,
Recking not whether his thand may be hard,
Stretching it boldly to grasp its reward ?

" What is a gentleman ? Say, is it birth
Makes a man noble, or adds to his worth?
Is there a family-tree to be had
Shady enough to conceal what is bad ?
Seek out the man who has God for his Guide,
Nothing to blush for, and nothing to hide ;
Be he a noble, or be he in trade, .
This is the Gentleman Nature has made."

Now, kind reader, farewell. If I have given
you instruction, called a laugh to your lips, or

HUNTING. 171

taught you to prize and cherish the priceless
creature which God has generously sent for
our enjoyment and our use, I shall cheerfully
lay aside my pen, happy in the conviction that
I have not written in vain.

Yet, shall I say in the song- words,

** Au revoir. Pas adieu ! "

for we meet again, I trust, soon and often ;
but the subject upon which I have been
writing has come to an end.

Whilst acknowledging the kindness of my
friends, I would desire also to shake hands
with my enemies. Life is short, and so it
behoves us to bear no malice. To those who
have unkindly criticised me I offer freely a
forgiving hand and heart. I have never
wilfally offended any, and if my efforts have
not come quite up to the standard of excel-
lence which certain captious critics have set
up, I have at east done my best, and have
been careful, in propounding theories which
might appear new and uncommon, to state
that such things were according to my notions,
in which, however, I did not expect all persons^

172 LADIES ON HORSEBACK.

to coincide. So long as the world lasts so
long will there be differences of opinion ; but
it is not because such exist that ill-feeling
should creep in, and Christian charity become
a thing of nought. In ancient days, when the
Apostles were upon the earth, these things
were as they are now; yet the Great Example,
to whose pure and simple teaching we all
hopefully look, inspired the command, "Let
brotherhj love continue,'^''

So be it, reader, with you and with me.

173

PAET IV.

HUNTING IN IRELAND.

There is at present a mighty outcry in our
poor land- Not against '^battle, murder,
and sudden death," landlord-killing, and
** Boycotting," but against our royal pastime
— hunting. The tenant-farmers are uproarious
in their opposition to it; and, with a head-
strong determination which cannot be too
strongly condemned, refuse to listen to the
voice of the reasoner. We are but in the
beginning of our season, yet is our prospect
marred and our pleasure spoilt by the blind
idiotcy, not of the few, but, unfortunately, of
the many.

They have but one cry, ** You are ruining
our grass-lands ! *' A more egregious error

174 LADIES ON HORSEBACK.

could not possibly exist. Is it wilful blind-
ness, or merely the desire to banish landlordism
from the country which induces this senseless
outcry ? If the latter, there is unhappily
every probability that the outcriers will
succeed ; if the former, there may be some
hope of ultimately unclosing their sealed
eyehds.

A body of horsemen galloping over grass-
land during the hunting season can never
occasion injury ; it is simply an absurdity to
endeavour to maintain a contrary theory. A
great friend of mine and a most practical
gentleman, who possesses a large common
attached to his grounds, upon which he can,
if desirable, exercise his horses, always
prefers doing so throughout the winter upon
his finest grass-land. He maintains, and
correctly, that they do it an immensity of
good, and once offered (to prove the correct-
ness of his judgment) to give the use of the
said land to the colonel of a cavalry regiment
stationed in his vicinity — to do aU his work
upon throughout the winter months. The
offer, after some demur, was accepted, and

HUNTING IN IRELAND. 175

proved to be most advantageous to the land-
owner.

Being an enthusiastic follower of the Ward
Union stag-hounds, I am enabled to state
that I have galloped with them, in company
with at least two hundred other riders, across
the Ward Country and over the Fairyhouse
lands, which are — as is well known — of a
singularly wet and holding nature ; and this
not once, but many times throughout the
season. Yet, so early as April, at which date
the famous Fairyhouse races take place, no
track or footmark can be seen upon the
luxuriant grass. Again, when riding in
winter through Phoenix Park, I have been
struck by the state of mud to which it has
been reduced through the frequent galloping
of horses over ids surface ; yet, in summer
it grows the finest grass, and is as smooth as
a biUiard-table. One day in June, three years
ago, a grand Eeview was held there in
honour of the Queen's birthday. A terrible
shower came down — one of those mighty
floods which can, in a few moments, trans-
form a beauteous green sward into a hideous

176 LADIES ON HOESEBACK.

mass of unsightly mire and dirt. Those on
foot ploughed patiently through it, sinking
ankle-deep at every step ; those upon horse-
back, myself included, churned it beneath
their horses' feet, until not a trace was
visible of the emerald carpet, which, one short
hour before, had afforded firm footing for
many thousands of spectators. Three weeks
later, I rode through that park again; the
velvety turf was green and fresh as ever, nor
was there visible one trace of the countless
feet which had, as it were, waded over it so
short a time before. The day upon which
St. Stephen's Park was, through the princely
generosity of Lord Ardilaun, opened to the
public, was a wet, or at least a damp one,
and thousands upon thousands of roughly-
shod feet cut up the grassy sward ; yet,
in a few brief days, it was rich and ver-
dant as before. Nor do I think there is in
our noble Phoenix Park a more luxuriant
stretch of grass-land than is ^^the nine
acres'* upon which polo players continually
assemble.

Having thus, then, endeavoured to prove

HUNTING IN IKELAND. 177

that the galloping of horses is in no way
injurious to pasture lands, I shall proceed to
the consideration of other matters connected
with the subject in question.

If hunting in Ireland were abohshed, then
indeed might the cries of her children ascend
heavenward, for I know not what would
become of her ! The gentry who are now
resident landlords, maintaining large and
costly establishments, would migrate to other
countries and more genial climes. Servants
would seek in vain for employment. Boot-
makers, clothiers, saddlers, harness-makers,
would find no custom. The farmer would sigh
vainly for a price for his corn. Hay and
straw would be a drug in the market. Hunting-
lodges would remain unlet, growing mouldy
with time and damp. Butchers, bakers,
poulterers, butter-makers would be ahke
involved in one common ruin ; for the houses
of the gentry would be empty, and desolation
would overspread the land ! No buyers then
for high-priced hunters and promising colts,
which now command so high a figure; no
merging of grades and mingling of classes in

178 LADIES ON HOESEBACK.

that happy contact which the hunting-field so
well engenders ; none of that delicious feehng
of equality which the peer and the peasant
seem alike to acknowledge whilst participating
side hy side in the dangers and excitement of
the chase. All would be stillness, solitude,
•and gloom !

Suffer me, then, to Implore my countrymen
and countrywomen to do all in their power to
promote the pleasures of hunting. It must
immensely benefit even those who do not
actually participate in the sport, inasmuch as
it brings rich and poor into happy contact,
and causes a vast amount of money to be
circulated, which enriches the pockets of the
poorer classes, and brings grist to many a
mill which would otherwise stand desolate,
with disused and motionless wheel. To us
who do participate in it, there is no need for
speech. Which of us does not know the
pleasures of preparing for the glorious sport ?
the early rousing up from slothful slumber,
the anxious outward glance at the weather,
that fitful tyrant which makes or mars our
enjoyment ; the donning of hunting garments,

HUNTING IN IRELAND. 179

the packing of sandwich boxes, the filling of
flasks with whisky, or better, far better, with
strong cold tea ; the cheery drive to the meet,
the many happy faces assembled there, the
greetings amongst friends, the praisings of tlie
pack, the trot to the covert, the dashing of
the hounds into the gorse, tlie sweet music
which proclaims that Keynard is at home, the
joyous sound of the *^ Gone away ! " the hurry-
scurry to be first and foremost in their wake,
the anathemas hurled against those who are
over-riding them, the tumbling at the fences,
the picking up again, the drowning in the
rivers, the fishing out by the wreckers, the
maddening excitement of traversing an
intricate country, the wild desire to be in
at the death, the saving of our horses over
holding lands, the riding of them up to their
bridles where the going is good, the last
mighty effort, the final fence cleared, and the
•canter up to where the huntsman is holding
aloft the brush and mask, and the hounds are
breaking up their fox ! Who that has ever
experienced these joys will be hkely to forget
them, or will fail to promote, by every means

12 *

180 LADIES ON HOESEBACK.

in his power, so health-giving and enUvening
a sport ?

We have one very serious drawback to our
hunting in Ireland, and, indeed, in many
other places also — namely, wire fencing. I
saw something of a tragic incident occur last
season whilst hunting with the Meath hounds^
We came up to an impassable fence, and all
made for the gate, which was open ; but the
owner of the land rushed out from his-
dwelhng, shut it in our faces, and insolently
refused to allow us to pass. Threats and
entreaties were alike vain. He called us every
name in the calendar, and consigned us all
to a very ugly place, in language which was
certainly not parliamentary. Many of the
field turned off and sought another way, but
two or three of the bold ones charged the
gate, and got over, clearing man and all ! I
and one other took the fence — a mad pro-
ceeding, which gave us both an ugly fall;
but we scrambled up somehow, and succeeded
in picking up the hounds. Late in the evening,
whilst hunting another fox, he led us over
the same identical ground, and a hard-riding

HUNTING IN IKELAND. 181

gentleman, first at this mighty obstacle,
charged it boldly, but, alas, with what a
result ! The farmer had, during our absence,
run a stiff wire through the fence, which,
catching the horse in the breast, turned him
completely over, breaking the rider's arm, and
otherwise severely injuring him. Some
members of the hunt, seeing what had
occurred, besieged the offender's dwelling,
and he had an extremely uncomfortable ten
minutes. I have heard persons aver that the
man was badly treated, and that he had a
perfect right to wire his fences if he so willed.
Undoubtedly he had, if it were done openly
and in such a way that the wiring could be
discerned, but not, by petty treachery, to
imperil the safety, if not the lives, of a largo
number of persons.

My advice to farmers would be this ; wire
the fences if necessary ; but, at the commence-
ment of the hunting season, cut away, say
twenty yards of the wiring at the poorest
point of the field, and mark the spot with a
pole and flag. Every rider would assuredly
make for it as being the only jumpable place,

182 LADIES ON HOESEBACK.

and at the close of the season a few boys
with five-grained forks would speedily set all
to rights ; nor can there be any doubt that
the best crop in the field would be on that
particular spot. Allowing even for a moment,
for argument's sake, that expense, trouble, or
loss might be thus occasioned, there is not a
master of hounds in all Ireland — neither, I
fancy, in any other country — who would not
willingly and cheerfully indemnify the owner
of the land. But so long as the world lasts,
so long will there be blindness ; and until the
** happy hunting-grounds " are reached, horses
and horsemen will be daily anathematised hy
the seK- willed cultivators of our native soil.

183

PART V.

HUNTING IN AMERICA.

There is a great land across the Atlantic
where they do great things, and utter great
sayings, and patent great inventions, and
erect great buildings — and where, in short,
the inhabitants beat us (as they themselves
say) ^^ all to fits!*'

A mighty nation they are, too — God prosper
them as they deserve ; but there is one thing
at least in which we can say, without boasting,
we are able to beat them, and that is, in our
hunting. A fox-hunt in America is a very
tame and inglorious proceeding, and one which
decidedly would not come under our definition
of '' sport."

American hunting differs in the first instance

184 LADIES ON HORSEBACK.

from ours, inasmuch as it is always a summer
pastime. The extreme severity of the winters
necessitates this, as during the cold season
neither men nor horses can work. i

The disadvantages of summer hunting are
of course numerous. The heat is excessive,
and the crops are in the ground. Most of
the American farmers and graziers own their
land, and the greater number of them will not
suffer hoofs to cross it. This is partly from
a spirit of surly independence — partly from an
ignorant determination to hold with stolid
obstinacy to that most erroneous behef, that
the galloping of horses is injurious to grass-
lands. But, anyhow, the objection exists ; and
as it is vain to attempt to overrule it, a com-
promise is effected between hunting under
difficulties and not hunting at all.

The system pursued is this. A man —
usually a stout-limbed peasant — is sent out,
who drags an aniseeded bag across country, and
over the lands and fences of such as will
permit it, or who are themselves in the habit
of joining in the chase. Then, when the
field has assembled, the hounds are laid rn,

HUNTING IN AMEEICA. 185

and work their way after the drag, a *^ bag-
man " being provided to blood them at the
finish. Sometimes the pack comes too close
upon the dragger, and then a nasty scene
ensues, which is pleasanter not described.

Fortunately for men, horses, and hounds,
liunting is but little indulged in throughout
America. I mean, of course, fox-hunting, for
I cannot attempt to cry down the many
■splendid and manly hunts of other descriptions
in which the Americans carry off the palm.

In many parts of the country — more
especially in the States — the people so affect
trotting-horses, that the matter has become a
craze. It is a fact, which has more than once
been proved, that four legs capable of carrying
any sort of frame a mile in less than two-and-a-
quarter minutes, will easily fetch a thousand
pounds; and if the animal is in condition to
repeat the performance several times in one
day, his price will range^ correspondingly
higher.

The usual arrangement — very seldom varied
— is that the ^* trots " shall be mile heats ; and
as the horses are, generally speaking, pretty

186 LADIES ON HOESEBACK.

well done up at the finish, owing to pace,,
excitement, and temperature, twenty minutes
are allowed between each heat for " cooling
off" purposes.

When a horse is distanced in one of these
trials, he is at once withdrawn ; and the judges
have the privilege, which they use, of dis-
tancing a horse for breaking — or, as we would
say, commencing to run — which is, as may be
supposed, a thing most difficult to prevent.

Sometimes a racehorse is hitched double
with a trotter. This is called, in American
parlance, a running-mate. The runner takes
all the weight and draft of the ** sulky," and
the trotter merely trots alongside of him. It
requires a very level-headed horse to keep
evenly to his trot, with a runner tearing away
at sweeping pace beside him, and the trial is
regarded as simply one of skill, and is rarely
successful. A trotter who can coolly and
evenly maintain his trot when hitched with a
racer, can command for his owner any amount
of money, even though he be in all other
respects comparatively worthless.

Eaces, of which many are held at Khode

HUNTING IN AMEKICA. 187

Island, are as distinct as possible from trots.
The courses are made circular ; as much so,,
at least, as the lie of the land will permit,
and are beautifully constructed, the grading
being especially attended to. They are
generally enclosed by a very high boarded
fence, an admission fee being charged at the
opening. This arrangement is found to
answer admirably, as the amount demanded —
although not an extravagant one — is sufficient
to exclude a goodly number of racing roughs,
whose interest in the sport is not more keen
than their desire to investigate the contents of
their neighbours' pockets.

Trotting-tracks are constructed upon the
same principles as race-courses, but the track
is harder. Sometimes, however, although not
frequently, races and trots are held over the
same course, and when this is done the track
is carefully softened for the races, by a harrow-
ing process, which is most carefully carried
out.

Most of the hacks and hunters in use in
America — a very large portion, at least, of the
saddle-horses — are racers which have been

188 LADIES ON HOESEBACK.

rejected from the racing-stables. This is
particularly the case at East Greenwich, and
throughout the States. Some of these horses
are " weeds," but a few of them are well
worthy of the high prices given for them,
being really splendid animals, in spite of the
crabbing which they receive at the judge's
hands before they are thrown out of the con-
test, and passed over to the proprietorship of
dealers in hacks.

Very fine horses of the hunter class are bred
in Kentucky — the Yorkshire of America — and
are sold at comparatively low rates. I saw a
magnificent chestnut, seventeen two in height,
with grand action, and so superbly ribbed-up
and built as to be capable of carrying twenty
stone, which had been sold there to an enter-
prising Irish speculator for three hundred and
twenty dollars, a good deal less than eighty
pounds of our money. The animal afterwards
fetched upwards of six hundred guineas at
Tattersall's, to carry a top-weight millionaire
with the Whaddon Chase hounds. This
was, however, an exceptional case, for it
is not usually an easy thing, nor even possible,

HUNTING IN AMEKICA. 18^

to ake money by trading in Kentucky
hunters. A few speculative European dealers
have from time to time tried it, but their
efforts have not been crowned with the antici-
pated reward, the reason being, that traveUing
expenses swallow up profits. Seven days and
nights of constant journeying must be gone
through before the animals are brought to the
Atlantic sea-board; and then there is the
crossing to encounter, with its cost and perils.
Altogether, it is scarcely a profitable venture,
and some who have embarked in it will, I
know, be quite ready to endorse my opinions
upon the subject.

Stag-hunting used to be very prevalent in
distant parts of America. Strangers traversing
tracts of country north of the Ohio will be
told this by guides and fellow-travellers, and
will marvel that in such a district it could
ever have been a popular sport. Anything
more perilous it would be impossible to con-
ceive, the *^ going" being principally up and
down precipitous inclines, dotted at frequent
intervals with huge boulders, haK buried in
the reedy grass, over which the horses blunder

190 LADIES ON HOESEBACK.

and stumble at almost every stride, — not
tmfrequently hurling their riders headlong
down some dangerous ravine.

Those who have enjoyed the very doubtful
pleasure of hunting at the Cape, know some-
thing of the perils of the Mimosa tree, which
grows there in such deadly luxuriance. A
similar danger-trap exists in the stag-hunting
districts of America, the long sharp thorns
proving terribly destructive to the flesh of man
and beast.

It is almost impossible to escape these trees.
They grow singly and in groups, with long,
light, swaying branches, treacherously out-
stretched ; and if an excited steed, or an
unwary rider comes too near to one of them,
no close-set company of razors could do more
cruel injury, nor make greater havoc of
saddlery and clothing.

When we come to regard the question of
district hunting in a comparative light, few
will hesitate to admit that in spite of all the
drawbacks consequent upon wire-fencing, fox-
trapping, and hound-poisoning, there are worse
countries to hunt in than dear old England ;

HUNTING IN AMERICA. 191

and we who know the sweet delights of a good
gallop over rich grass-lands, dotted pic-
turesquely with the harmless beech or elm,
and with nothing more dangerous to negotiate
than fair broad fences and five-barred gates,
need never sigh for the yawning ravines of
foreign hunting-grounds, with their trea-
cherous boulders and dangerous Mimosas.

192 LADIES ON HORSEBACK.

CORRESPONDENCE.

Ladies on Horseback.

To the Editor of The Illustrated Sporting and Dramatic

News.

Sir, — I have read with keen interest the
article on '' Ladies on Horseback " in your last
number. I find several things in it which
differ from my preconceived ideas, but it is
impossible not to perceive that the writer,
Mrs. Power O'Donoghue, speaks from an
exnerience which makes her an undoubted
authority. With reference to safety-stirrups,
for instance. I have always seen that the
ladies of my family were provided with them,
and your contributor's objection seems not to
be based upon the mechanism of the stirrup
w^hen in proper order, but on the circumstance
that it is ^' almost invariably stiff," through

CORRESPONDENCE. 193

neglect. I must admit that I have seen a lady
hung up in a safety- stirrup ; but surely it is
possible to see that the stirrup will work before
setting out for a ride or a day's hunting, and
if the iron is large enough, so that '^the
padding over the instep " will not *^ cause the
foot to become firmly embedded," are we to
understand that the safety-stirrup is objection-
able? Mrs. Power O'Donoghue has a poor
opinion of " John the coachman, and Jem the
groom,*' but I am lucky in having trustworthy
people in my stable. What stirrup would
your contributor have instead of the one with
which so large a proportion of ladies ride?
Another thing that I should like to know
more about is the saddle recommended in
the article. " Accustom yourself from the
beginning to the use of a properly constructed
saddle, made as straight as a board, no dip
whatever," this writer says. Now I have never,
so far as my recollection goes,^ even seen such a
saddle, and may I ask what are the advantages
of a thoroughly straight saddle, and what are
the disadvantages of the inevitable slope or
dip ? I ask purely for information, for I am

13

194 LADIES ON HOESEBACK.

perfectly ready to submit my judgment and
hitherto received notions to the dictum of a lady
who is clearly so competent to treat the matter
as your contributor. Would the lady have
straight saddles also for men ? is a question
which incidentally occurs to me. I am far
from supposing that a thing must be right
because it is in general use, but there seem
good reasons for the adoption of the ordinary
shaped saddle, and I should be very glad if
your contributor would let us know her reasons
for departing from custom.

Before concluding, let me thank you for a
series of articles which cannot fail to be of
value to those for whom they are intended.
I am, Sir,

Your obedient servant,

H. DE V. R.

Sib, — I feel bound to answer the letter of
" H. de V. R.'* which appeared in your journal
of last week's issue. With regard to the
** safety-stirrup," there could not be much
objection to it if it were made sufficiently large

CORRESPONDENCE. 195

to prevent the padding over the instep from
causing the foot to become embedded ; and if,
likewise, some careful and competent person
were ready and willing to give the machinery
of it a thorough examination immediately
before entrusting the safety of a lady to such
an imcertain support. But how seldom is this
the case ? Servants — even the most careful —
are, to say the least of it, apt to overlook
these important details ; and when the steed
is led to the door the cavaHer who is to escort
the lady is too much occupied in admiring his
fair charge, talking to her, arranging with her
where they shall ride, fastening her gloves, or
performing a like office for himself, to worry
his head about such an apparently insignificant
thing as her stirrup. Provided he ascertains that
it is the required length, he troubles himself no
further about it, and probably in nine cases out
of ten the dandy youth would not even com-
prehend the meaning of the term ** safety'* as
appHed to the article in question. No doubt
it often happens that an elderly father, a
matter-of-fact husband, a phlegmatic uncle, or
a careful brother may be upon the spot, wifch

13 *

196 LADIES ON HORSEBACK.

wits and hands ready to avert danger ; but
how frequently, also, is it the fashionable
stripling who escorts the lady — a cousin, or a
lover, perhaps — ignorant of all connected with
riding, except the pleasure of it ; or the booted
and belted servant, who touches his hat, and
thinks he has done his duty because the
saddle is clean and the horse sleek and shiny ;
or the riding-master, who has come out in a
hurry, anxious and flurried at the last moment
to see that everything looks right, and who has
had no time to see after such minor accessories
as stirrups, or has left the matter (if he thought
of it at all) in the hands of the groom, wha
has left it alone altogether. This being the
case, I maintain that a stirrup encumbered
with machinery is unsuited to a lady, because,
although she may have an escort who will look
after it, there is the possibihty that she may
not have such good fortune. Moreover, a
stirrup made sufficiently large to bear padding
over the instep, and yet enable the foot to-
slip easily in and out, must of necessity be a
considerable weight, and this alone would be
an objection, especially to a hunting lady^

COBRESPONDENCE. 197

^ho calculates to a nicety every ounce which
her steed has to carry. I have said that a
small racing, or jockey-stirrup, is the nicest in
which a lady can ride, and I am bound to
adhere to my judgment.

So much for the first portion of *'H. de
V. K.'s" letter. Now we come to the
second.

My *^ poor opinion of John, the coachman,
and Jem, the groom," is based, not upon their
untrustworthiness, but upon their want of
capacity as teachers of the equine art. I have
never yet, in all my experience, met with any
servant who was capable of instructing a lady
how to ride ; yet I have been fairly astonished
to find the contrary idea quite general amongst
parents in the country, who fondly hope that
their daughters may one day adorn a saddle
and grace a hunting-field. ^* I shall have Mary
and Jenny taught immediately now," said a
lady to me one day in the course of last
summer, — *' They shall have a pony a-piece,
and John (the groom) shall teach them." Of
course, I said nothing, my principle of non-
interference standing me in good stead ; but

198 LADIES ON HORSEBACK.

when, an hour or so later, I beheld the said
John disporting himself, and showing off his
equestrian skill upon one of the carriage-
horses, I really felt pity for the two charming
Httle girls who were so soon to be handed over
to his doubtful tuition.

And now for the third portion of your
correspondent's letter : namely, the question
of the straight saddle. '* H. de V. E. " says
he has never seen any such ; and I consider
this extremely probable, for he will recollect
my saying that a saddle such as I described
should be made to order, as it is certainly not
in general use — but I am not altogether
singular in my advocacy of it. Peat and Co.,.
Piccadilly, or Box and Co., Abbey Street,
Dublin, will manufacture saddles of this
description in excellent style, but only ta
order, for they have not yet found sufficient
favour — or, to express it better, are not
sufficiently known — to have become popular,
and manufacturers therefore will not keep
them in stock. The advantages of a straight
saddle are manifold. Firstly, it is the only
means by which a lady can learn the necessary

CORRESPONDENCE. 199

art of riding from balance. This can be
acquired by sitting on a saddle, but never by
sitting in one. Secondly, she can, when
riding upon a straight saddle, change and
shift her position, which as a necessary con-
sequence changes her weight upon the horse's
back, and saves him from being galled. A
noble lady wrote to me some time since, '^ I
know not how it is ; all my horses are laid up
with sore backs ; and yet my saddle is well
padded." I guessed the secret at once ; she
was riding in a sort of well, or chair, from
which her heavy weight could never for an
instant shift, and hence the trouble of which
she complained. I sent her a sketch of my
saddle, with the address of the man who had
made it, and she has since been a staunch
upholder of my theory. Thirdly, the best
figure in the world would look to disadvantage
if seated in a saddle with a dip or slope ;
whereas a well-made woman, attired in a
habit properly fitted about the waist and hips,
never looks to such complete advantage as
when sitting gracefully and at ease upon
a well constructed straight-made saddle.

200 LADIES ON HORSEBACK.

Fourthly, if in taking an up-jump the horse
misses his footing and struggles in an unsuc-
cessful effort to recover himself, the lady may
— if riding upon a straight saddle — succeed in
slipping from it to a situation of comparative
safety ; but, if she has a high projection of
iron and stiff leather just behind her, it bars her
movement, and as a consequence the horse
falls back upon her, and catching her between
his weight and the edge of the ditch or furrow,
as the case may be, injures her spine, some-
times fatally, and frequently in a serious
manner.

The question, *^ Do I also advocate straight
saddles for men's use ? '* is answered by my
reminding " H. de V. E.'' that there is no
analogy between a gentleman's position upon
horseback and that of a lady. What would
be a necessity, or at least a luxury, for the one
would be eminently unsuited for the other.
A man's superior activity and greater liberty
of motion place him ever at an advantage.
And whilst upon this subject I would strongly
urge upon all humane riders, especially the
male portion of them, to have their saddles

CORKESPONDENCE 201

made high in front, so as not to press "apon the
horse's withers, causing him much needless
suffering. A space capable of accommodating
at least two fingers should be between withers
and saddle, and were this attended to we
should see fewer skin abrasions and unsightly-
lumps upon poor submissive animals, and less
of that stuffing of handkerchiefs between
cruel leather and bleeding flesh which so
frequently pains the sorrowing eyes of sensitive
and pitying persons.

I think I have now dealt fully with
" H. de V. R.'s *' letter, and must thank the
writer of it for his complimentary observa-
tions, and his kindly appreciation of my
labours in a cause which I certainly have very
much at heart.

Apologising for trespassing thus far upon
jour valuable space.

I am. Sir,

Yours obediently,
Nannie Power O'Donoghub.

October 12, 1880.

202 LADIES ON HOKSEBACK*

Sir, — Many readers of The Illustrated Sporting
and Dramatic News hope that Mrs. Power
O'Donoghue, in her very interesting letters
upon ''Ladies on Horseback," will touch fully
on the most important thing, viz. '' the ladies'
horse." One sees ladies riding all sorts ; some
too big, some too small, some good shoulders
and no backs, others just the reverse ; not one
out of twenty what it ought to be. Also, up to
what weight should it be ? What is the average
weight of ladies, and the difference in ordinary
dress to the habit? It is often said that,
owing to the peculiar seat, the weight being
all on one side, a lady tires a horse much more
than a man ; certainly you often see ladies'
horses going short with the near hind leg,
possibly from this cause. Could not the
weight of side-saddles be reduced? Those
used by the Empress of Austria could not
have weighed 81b., and she was herself a light
woman. Anything on this subject will interest

many readers.

I am, &c.

Eques.

CORRESPONDENCE. 203

Sir, — ^There is one point to which I should
like to call the attention of the writer of the
able and interesting articles on "Ladies on
Horseback," which she appears to have
altogether overlooked in her enumeration of
the articles of a lady's riding attire. It is the
use of a spur by lady equestrians. The
recently invented lady's spur consists of one
sharp point so constructed as not to injure
the habit. In hunting, a spur is indispensable,
and in park-riding is very desirable for a lady,
who has so much less control over her horse
than a man. Young girls just beginning to
ride will find the use of a spur most beneficial
in managing their steeds. Hired horses are
never altogether to be trusted, and in the case
of their showing temper or laziness, two or
three pricks with a lady's spur will subdue
them far more quickly than the apphcation of
a whip. I have more than once ridden a horse
that was a confirmed jibber, and have always
found a few determined thrusts with my spur,
combined with an efficiently appHed whip,
never failed to bring him down. I confidently
recommend all ladies, and especially young

204 LADIES ON HORSEBACK.

girls just beginning the art of equitation, to
procure a lady's spur, and never to mount a
horse without it.

I am, &c.

Mabel Florence Eaynb.
The Firs, Cheltenham,
Oct. 18th, 1880.

Sir, — I suppose it would be impossible to
advance any opinions to which there would
not be objections raised, but I write, not in a
cavilling spirit, but as one really anxious for
information, to know whether Mrs. Power
O'Donoghue would seriously advocate striking
a horse between the ears when it rears.
Surely such a thing would be exceedingly
dangerous for any lady to attempt, and, as
your correspondent is writing solely for ladies,
I conclude she refers to them in the present
instance. I feel very strongly upon this point,
because an uncle of mine, some years ago,
when out riding tried this experiment at the
advice of a friend. The horse (not a vicious
one) suddenly reared ; my uncle loosened the

i

COEEESPONDENCE. 205-

reins and urged it forward, but finding this-
ineffectual, struck it violently between the
ears with his hunting-whip. The animal,.
maddened, I presume, by the pain, reared
straight on end and fell backward ; its rider
being a very agile man, slipped off sideways,
and thus escaped nearly certain death ; but
had the rider been a lady instead of a
gentleman the consequences must have been
fatal; and with so light a switch as a lady
usually carries, a blow between the ears could
only serve to irritate without producing any
good effect. I would ask one more question :
Why does your correspondent so strongly
object to the use of the *^ old-fashioned
slipper " stirrup ? I am rather curious on this
point, because I have ever since the tender
age of four, when my riding experiences began,
used the shoe- stirrup, and I have always
thought it so safe, because my foot sHps out in
a second. I am aware that it is extremely
unfashionable, as in Eotton Eow you hardly
see a lady using it ; but I keep to it still, not
so much with the idea of its safety, but for
comfort, especially in trotting. I find it

206 LADIES ON HOKSEBACK.

extremely difficult to keep an iron stirrup
from slipping back into the instep, and, being
used to rise pressing on the toes, I think that
rising from the instep is more difficult and
doubles the exertion of trotting. In conclusion,
I must express a hope that Mrs. Power
O'Donoghue will not give me credit for
writing in a spirit of unfriendly criticism;
but as I am exceedingly fond of riding, I feel
an interest in working out this subject to its
fullest extent. I am sure all lady riders must
feel grateful to Mrs. Power O'Donoghue for
the valuable and useful instructions contained
in her interesting letters, and one has only
to pay a visit to the Kow between 12 and 2
in the season, to see how much they are
needed by the generality of the ** ladies on
horseback."

I am, &c.

Equestrina.
October 13th, 1880.

Sir, — Though not an " aggrieved stirrup-
naaker," it may not be out of place if i, aa a

CORRESPONDENCE. 207

saddler of many years' experience and a great
lover of horses, offer a few comments on the
** hints and instructions" set forth in your
paper for the benefit of ladies on horseback,
written by one of the sex who is evidently an
authority on the subject she treats so ably.
There is no doubt these articles will be read
with great interest by very many ladies who
desire to acquit themselves well on horseback,
and also by their gentlemen friends who are
anxious to conduce to the safety and comfort
of their fair companions in that delightful
exercise, but cannot have the same knowledge
to impart the theoretical instructions now
given by your lady writer, whose criticisms
will therefore be valuable to both. In
following her remarks, it occurs to me that
I may perhaps venture on a httle comment
without being considered too intrusive. The
objection taken to children riding is no doubt
formed on good grounds, but I think that with
care young ladies might be permitted at a
much earHer age than sixteen to acquire some
practice in the saddle ; it is true that young-
girls are Hable to curvature of the spine, when

208 LADIES ON HOESEBACK.

allowed to ride day after day on the same side
of their pony, but I have understood that this
danger is obviated by changing their position
to the other side on alternate days, and I
should be glad to learn what are the objections
to this. It seems to me rather desirable that
ladies should have equal facility in riding on
either side, but there may be reasons against
it of which I am ignorant. This lady says
that the nicest bridle for a beginner is a plain
ring- snaffle, but states further that few horses
will go in it ; the latter remark, if correct,
(which I should venture to doubt), raises a
fatal objection to the ring-snaffle, as I fear
that not one young lady in twenty, under
amateur teaching, would be put upon a
perfectly trained nag, desirable as this must
be ; and thus an ordinary stout mouth plain
snaffle, or plain bar with single rein, would
surely be preferable. I fancy it would be
found of much advantage if riding was taught
in the first instance without the use of reins
at all, the horse simply being led by an
attendant ; the learner thus gets a proper
balance, without depending on the bridle for

CORRESPONDENCE. 209

•support, as many are found to do. For a
young girl I should like to know what is the
objection to a pad, or pilch as they are called,
made for use on either side. These, having
no tree, are nearly level, but there is perhaps
a chance of its ti"'rning round if the rider does
not sit straight ; for a grown girl, the properly
made saddle is better every way. In common
with your correspondent **H. de V. E.," I
fail quite to understand how a side-saddle is
to be made *^ as straight as a board." A
saddle is made on a foundation, or tree, of
wood and iron, which should be shaped for the
back intended to bear it, and must be raised
slightly in front for the wither and behind to
clear the backbone ; but it is right that the
seat should be as level as possible. This is
probably the lady's meaning. It is very
essential that the saddle should fit the horse
correctly and be of suitable size and shape for
the rider ; the former consideration is too
often overlooked and thus entails discomfort
to both. There are saddles, and saddles, as
ladies often find to their cost. A very large
proportion in use here, and more abroad, are

14

210 LADIES ON HOKSEBACK.

put together in Birmingliain and Walsall on
the slop system ; they will please the eyes of
an inexperienced purchaser, but are formed
with little regard to the requirements of the
poor animals who suffer under them, or of
their riders' comfort, and it is probable that
these are the saddles against which ladies are
very properly warned. It is really indis-
pensable for a lady's comfort in riding that
she should have a good saddle, made by a
competent and conscientious saddler, whoso
business it is to see that it is suitable-
Considering the number of years that a good
saddle with care will last, it is inconceivable
Ihat the comparatively small additional price
should be grudged for a perfect and satisfactory
article by a maker of repute, instead of the
machine-made slop rubbish, by which many a
good animal is injured and the temper of his
rider seriously chafed. Enough about saddles
for the present, so I will go to the next point
under discussion — the stirrup. Your lady
rider must have been very unfortunate in her
use of the safety-stirrup, which, in my opinion,
does in practice usually justify its name. I

CORRESPONDENCE. 211

have known very many instances in which
^adies have owed immunity from serious
accident to its use. As '^ H. de V. E." justly
says, the mechanism of the stirrup (which is
very simple) should not be allowed to get out
of order by neglect ; surely the lady or her
friends, particularly if so *' knowledgeable '* as
the writer of the article, might [They " might,"
That they so often do not, and that danger so
frequently results from the neglect, is the
grievance and complaint of our contributor. —
Ed. I,S. d D, N,] take the trouble personally
to see that her stirrup is not out of order from
rast, and in no other way but one can it be so ;
the other way is that if the groom ignoranfcly
or carelessly adjusts the stirrup for use hind
part before, the inner stirrup cannot be
released, and the rider's foot, in case of a fall,
will be helplessly fixed in the stirrup. This
eventuahty, however, does not detract from
the real value of the safety-stirrup, for neglect
and ignorance will entail direful consequences
in all ways. Next to the safety- stirrup, I
quite beheve that a plain steel stirrup of
suitable size, with side pieces at the bottom

14 *

212 LADIES ON HORSEBACK.

to take sharp pressure off the foot, is the most
suitable for ladies' use, and I always condemn
the sinall padded stirrup, which is, indeed, a
fruitful source of danger to lady riders.

With the rest of Mrs. O'Donoghue's
dissertation I cordially agree, and believe it
would be beneficial if both men and ladies
practised riding without the aid of the stirrup ;
and the same rule appHes to and is generally
practised by men, as I saw a few days ago on
a German barrack-ground, where an awkward
squad was being trained in that manner.
The art of putting a lady up is one that should
be practised more than it is by horsemen ;
my first attempt resulted in the lady sHpping
down again, and on my hat, which suffered
^ven more than my self-esteem. On one
occasion in the Crimea, years ago, I was
riding with a lady and her husband, the
former dismounted at Mrs. Seacole's for re-
freshment, and on being put up again by her
husband with more vigour than skill, the poor
lady was sent over her horse's back to the
ground on the other side, and being somewhat
portly, was shaken severely. I fear many

CORRESPONDENCE. 213

ladies have suffered in the same way from the
awkwardness of their attendants, but I have
seen ladies so agile as to mount from the
ground without assistance — rather a difficult
feat, and requiring much practice. Having
trespassed so much on your space I must not
proceed further now, but shall be happy to air
my notions again, if agreeable to your readers
and riders.

Yours, &c.

Jeemyn.

Sir, — My papers entitled ** Ladies on
Horseback " have called forth many letters.
Some of these you have printed, some have
been forwarded to me from your office, and
many have been received at my own house.
I shall regard it as a favour if you will permit
me to reply to a few of them through the
medium of your paper, as in answering one I
shall answer many who have written upon the
same subject.

J. V. — When the horse took head with
me and leaped into the farm-yard (as depicted

214 LADIES ON HORSEBACK.

by Mr. Stnrgess) I had no way of getting out
except by the passage and kitchen of the
farm-house, as the gates of the yard were
locked, and the owner of the place — who was
away at the neighbouring town — had the key
in his pocket.

Eques. — The reason why ladies ride *' all
sorts of horses " is that comparatively few
keep horses of their own, and those who are
without them and are fond of riding, jump
eagerly at the offer of a friend's mount,
whether it be suitable or otherwise. A nice
horse for a lady may be thus described :
Height about 15-3 ; Colour dark bay or brown,
well-set sloping shoulders, good back, arched
loins, firm and graceful neck, small head and
ears, shapely clean-cut legs, and good firm
feet. A horse of this description will be
well up to 13 or 14 st. For a heavy weight
an animal should be selected with a short
wide back, powerful quarters, big healthy
hocks, and stoutly-built fore-legs. The
average weight of ladies is about 9st. Summer
costume and riding gear would weigh about
equally, but velvet or sealskin would out-

CORRESPONDENCE. 215

weigh a habit. A lady seated upon a properly-
made saddle, if she has been well taught, will
never have her weight '* all on one side."
The reason why horses go short with the
near hind leg is because ladies ride from the
stirrup, leaning their full weight upon it, and
galling the animal's back. The stirrup is
meant to assist, not to support, the rider.
Old-fashioned side-saddles are all too heavy ;
but a well-constructed modern saddle can
scarcely be improved upon. It is a mistake
to ride in too light a saddle, as it brings the
weight of the body too near the horse's back.
That used by the Empress of Austria weighed
12 lbs., which is about a correct standard.

Ladybird. — Nobody who has any regard for
life and limb now rides through Dublin.
All wise persons gave it up when pavement
and tram-Knes made the city what it is.
Consequently the park is deserted, and only a
sohtary horseman is seen in Stephen's Green.

Inquirer. — The shoe should be made to fit
the foot. It is most cruel, and is a fruitful
source of lameness, to pare the foot away to
make it fit a ready-made shoe. If you cannot

216 LADIES ON HORSEBACK,

trust your farrier, change him. This advice
also applies to James E., but I do not under-
take to answer questions respecting the treat-
ment or management of the horse.

Mabel Florence Kayne. — I had not for-
gotten nor overlooked the important uses oi
the spur. You will find the subject treated in
my papers upon hunting and hunting-costume.
I do not, however, at all approve of its use for
beginners, as such are certain, through
nervousness, to press the left heel close to
the horse's side, and, if furnished with a
spur, would cause him much needless pain
and irritation, besides endangering their own
safety.

Robert Keating. — Best thanks for letter and

papers.

G. Elliot. — For riding with a bit and

bridoon, place a rein between each finger of

your left hand, and hold them securely with

your thumb, reserving your right hand for

your whip ; or take your reins in both hands,

and ride your horse upon the curb, or snaffle,

according to his temperament. For riding

with a single rein, place the near leather

CORRESPONDENCE. 217

under your little finger and the off one between
the first and second fingers, which is as good
a way as any ; but I have already said that
there is no fixed rule for holding reins, and a
good rider will constantly change them about,
and move the bridle in her horse's mouth,
which prevents him hanging upon his bit.

Jane Carr. — I scarcely know whether to
regard your letter as a comphment or the
reverse. My labours have been totally
unassisted; nor has my experience of this
world shown me that its occupants are
sufficiently philanthropic to labour that
another may reap the merit and the reward.

L. K. — The subject is not within my pro-
vince. Mayhew's Horse Management, published
by Allen & Co., 13, Waterloo Place, London,
is the best I can recommend.

Huntsman. — It is for ladies I am writing.

Eleanor. — Thanks ; but if I adopted one
half of the suggestions offered, a strange
result would ensue. Happily my papers went
to press without anybody (save the Editor)
havLQg had a glance at them. He generouslj
accepted them upon their merits ; but had I

218 LADIES ON HORSEBACK.

fihown them to others I should either have
altered soniething in every second line or
have given offence to numerous well-meaning
persons. When I was a child I committed to
memory the inimitable fable of ** The Miller,
liis Son, and his Ass," and have taken the
moral of it as a guide through hfe.

GooDALL. — A short hunting-crop without a
lash would do.

Equestrina. — If a horse rears with me in a
Ticious manner I hit him between the ears,
but I do not by any means expect my readers
to coincide in all my views, and those who
know a better plan can, of course, adopt it.
If an animal rears sHghtly I lean forward
against his neck, touch him with my heel, and
speak to him. If he persists, and I see any
danger of his falling back, I hit him between
the ears with the butt-end of my whip, not
sufficiently heavily to ^* madden him," nor even
to cause him the least pain, but to occasion
him to duck his head, which he invariably
does ; and if at that instant I hit him sharply
with my heel, he drops at once and lashes out
hehind. Allowing for a moment that such a

CORRESPONDENCE. 219

mode of action may be open to objection, is it
not better (seeing that it is frequently effica-
cious) than sitting quietly and permitting
one's-self to be fallen back upon, without
making any effort to avert the catastrophe ?
My objection to the shpper-stirrup is founded
on the knowledge that it encourages ladies to
lean their weight upon it. ^* It feels so com-
fortable," I heard a lady say, '^ so like a
resting-board beneath my foot, th^ I cannot
help riding from it." An iron stirrup with the
foot well home is the proper thing to ride in ;
and remember it is from the instep and not
from the toes that you should rise. The iron
should meet the waist of the boot-sole, and a
long flat heel (I do not mean one of those
atrocities known as a high one) should be worn
on the boot.

Jermyn. — Your letter almost answers itself.
The pad or pilch is apt to turn round, for it is
only one little girl in twenty. who sits straight.
You judge my meaning rightly about the
straight saddle, but I opine that it is the
stuffing which should be arranged to guard the
backbone from pressure, and that it is in no

220 LADIES ON HOESEBACK.

way necessary to raise the seat at the back.
I must again say, for the third time, that a
plain ring-snaffle is the nicest for a lady's use,
and also maintain my opinion that few horses
will go in it, according to mij ideas of ^^ gomg."
A horse who goes well in a ring-snaffle must
have a perfect temper and a perfect mouth, a
combination as rare in the equine as in the
human tribe. For ordinary hunters and
roadsters I do not recommend it, simply
because they will not go in such a bridle ; but
I shall ever hold to my opinion that it is the
nicest and the least puzzling for a beginner.

Katie. — Not worth denying. It is one of
those worthless untruths which I have long
since learned to treat with contempt.

LiVEEPUDLiAN. — Your suggcstiou is so good
that I shall certainly adopt it. Nothing could
be better adapted for riding in than a warm
jersey, buttoned in front. Being elastic it
would allow full play for the arms and
shoulders, and would also display a good figure
to advantage. If you, or some other, would
only get up a sufflcient amount of courage to
turn a deaf ear to the hateful and oft-recurring

CORRESPONDENCE. 221

^* What will be said ?" we might have many
useful and elegant innovations of which at
present we know nothing.

Young Wife. — There can be no impropriety
in what you say. ^* Honi soit qui mal y
pense ? '' So long as you have a good con-
science and your husband's approval you need
care little for what the world says.

X. Y. Z., Dashaway, and Countryman. —
I cannot reply to your letters.

Thanking you, Sir, for your kindness in
panting me so much of your valuable space,

I am, &c,
Nannie Power O'Donoghue.

October 25.

Sir, — The ''recently-invented lady's spur,"
mentioned in your last issue by " Mabel
Florence Kayne," was patented towards the
close of the last century, and illustrations of
it, and of other spurs on the same principle,
can be seen at the Patent Ojfice. I quite
concur in the recommendation that a lady
should always wear a spur, and it will be
seen from the last article by Mrs. Power

222 LADIES ON HORSEBACK.

O'Donoghue that a spur forms part of her
hunting equipment ; but I strongly advise
ladies to wear a spur with a rowel having only
five points, which should be long and sharp.
The spur with one point and a spring sheath
is commonly sold by saddlers for ladies' use,
but is liable to break or get out of order, and
is always discarded in favour of the one with
a five-pointed rowel by ladies who have tried
the latter. Mrs. Power O'Donoghue is doing
good service to ladies by protesting against
the stirrups facetiously so-called ^* safety."
I always advise a lady to use a perfectly
plain steel stirrup, but a tolerably heavy one.
Why cannot the stirrup be attached to a lady's
saddle in the same manner as to a gentle-
man's ? Then, in case of accident, the stirrup
and leather would come away together. An
excellent bit for a lady's horse is a curb-bit,
suspended in the horse's mouth by two large
rings, to which the snaffle-reins are also
attached. This bit is very hght or very
severe, at the rider's wish.

I am, &c.
October 26, 1880. Southeen Cross.

CORRESPONDENCE. 223

Sir, — Continuing my remarks on this
subject, I am bound to say that your contri-
butor gives sufficient answer to the question
of the safety-stirrup in explaining that the
objection is removed providing the inner
stirrup is large enough for the foot to be easily
extricated ; the stirrup being made in three
different sizes, this is a matter easily adjusted.
The shoe-stirrup referred to by ** Equestrina"
was in use by ladies for many years, and in
point of safety I think no objection can be
raised to it ; the same shape of stirrup is much
affected by men in South America.

The instructions in Part Second of Mrs.
Power O'Donoghue's writings are very admi-
rable, except that I do not see the utility of
a lady's striking a rearing horse between the
ears, with the few ounces of whip usually carried.
I have known men do so with a loaded whip,
and knocking a horse down to cure him of this
vice, but it would be scarcely advisable for a lady
to try this. I am rather surprised to see it
stated as a fact that both rearing and plunging
maybe entirely prevented by using the so-called
anti-rearing bit martingale. It certainly may

224 LADIES ON HORSEBACK.

prevent rearing on the first attempt if the horse's
head is kept down tightly by this martingale
attached to the breastplate, but as the latter is
seldom worn except for hunting, it cannot be
intended to recommend it for that purpose, for
it would infallibly follow that the fixed martin-
gale would bring both horse and rider to grief at
the very first fence they attempted to clear,
and if the horse had sufficient liberty of action
to jump freely, the martingale would be no
obstruction to his rearing. I know from my
own experience that a horse can be knocked
down by a blow on the head. I was once
doing a little private mounted practice at
sword exercise, preparatory to a prize com-
petition, and grasping my sword with thick
gloves on, the weapon somehow turned in
my hand, caught my mare below the ear on
the bridle-hand, and knocked her completely
off her legs, to our mutual amazement, though
no great harm was done. I do not see what
analogy there can be between the powerful
Chifney bit and a rearing martingale;
the effect of the latter may be secured by
attaching a split martingale, with leather or

COREESPONDENCE. 225

spring billets, to the mouth-rings of any bit
in use, snaJffle or Pelham ; but I believe that a
horse can, if determined, rear all the same,
and it certainly would not prevent plunging or
bucking. For a restive or jibbing horse in
saddle I have always found a short running
martingale very useful; the rider should
shorten and lower the right rein well down the
horse's shoulder, apply the right leg and spur
sharply, and turn the horse round like a
teetotum until he is dizzy, then give him both
spurs when his head is in the right direction.
This will set him going before he knows
where he is, and is a practice I have found
very efficacious, but not easily applicable by
ladies.

On the subject of bits, my own favourite is
the Hanoverian Pelham ; it will generally hold
the strongest puller, and, with a light hand, I
have never met a horse that would not face it.
For show or park riding there is none
better ; it is, however, not suited to those who
trust to the bridle-reins for their balance in
the saddle.

*'Eques" inquires "what is the average

15

226 LADIES ON HOESEBACK.

weight of ladies ? '* This is a difficult query,
but as ladies ride at all weights between six
and eleven stone, with a margin each way, I
should suppose the average would be about
8J stone, exclusive of saddle, &c. A lady who
is an indifferent rider would throw more weight
on one side than the other, one cause of so
many sore backs from side-saddles ; but a
thoroughly good horsewoman would sit with
as level a balance as a man. The weight of
good modern side-saddles is much reduced,
but they cannot well be made under 141b.,
with furniture, and are usually considerably
more. If the Empress of Austria uses a
saddle of 8 lb. only (as some have averred),
she must ride on a man's steeplechase-saddle,
which perhaps would not be a difficult perform-
ance for a lady who is said to be in the habit
of driving four-in-hand.

I am much impressed by the recital of
your contributor's adventures and hair-breadth
escapes on the saddle, particularly on the
occasion she refers to when invited by a
friend to ride the big bay horse. If the
friend was a gentleman, I must repeat the

COPEESPONDENCE. 227

opinion I heard expressed by a lady when
reading the article — that any man who would
wiKully expose a woman to risk her life on
such a brute behaved disgracefally. There
is no object in creation to my mind more
attractive than a graceful woman controlling
with ease a fine and well-trained horse ; but
no one with due respect for the sex would
wish to see her taking the place of a rough
rider.

Yours, &c.

Jeemyn.

Sib, — Although I care nothing for anything
that may be said about myseK, I am ever
loyal to my friends, and it seems to me hard
that one of the truest of them should be
spoken of as having '* behaved disgracefully "
by a writer who, with more impetuosity than
judgment, jumps at conclusions without
waiting to hear the truth. When I was riding
homeward after the leap into the farm-yard, I
met the owner of the horse upon the road,

15 *

228 LADIES ON HOKSEBACK.

driving out with a friend. The moment he
heard what had occurred he took me off the
animal, changed my saddle to the very quiet
horse he was driving, and actually, after nearly
an hour's delay, succeeded in putting the
harness upon the ^* hig hay/* and, having done
so, drove him home regardless of his own safety,
or rather of his danger, which was imminent.
I do not think there are many men at his time
of life, and in his delicate state of health, who
would have done the same thing rather than
chance a second runaway. He had no reason
to suppose that any such thing would, in the
first instance, have happened, and I believe it
was attributable to the fact that the horse had
I )een ridden a daj^ or two previously by a very
udld rider, who had spoilt his mouth and
manners, and who subsequently apologised to
me for having been the cause of what
Dccurred. I might have mentioned all thi&
before, and certainly should have done so had
i thought that such necessity should have
arisen. I would remind " Jermyn " that my
observations respecting the martingale were
confined to my papers on road-riding, not on

COERESPONDENCE. 229

hunting, and would also thank him, with
my hest oheisance, for calling me a rough-
rider.

I am. Sir,

Yours obediently,
Nannie Power O'Donoghub.
October 31, 1880.

Sir, — I must, in justice to myself, ask you
io he so kind as to grant me space in your
influential journal to reply to the very serious
charge ^* Jermyn " brought against me in your
issue of the 30th of the past month. I am
the friend who asked Mrs. Power O'Donoghue
to ride ** the big bay," and yet I believe that
nobody in all the world has a higher esteem
for that lady, nor a truer regard for her safety
han I have. Indeed there are few men in
Ireland (if one) worth being called the name,
who would not willingly lay down their own
lives rather than imperil the life of one so
universally beloved. The horse up to the
day of the runaway had been perfectly quiet
;and most easily managed. He carried me

280 iiADIES ON HOESEBACK.

two seasons to hounds, never making a mistake
nor pulling in the least. Not being able to ride,
having shortly before met with a very serious
accident, I lent " the big bay " to a hard-
riding young officer for a day's hunting. He
unfortunately must have made too free use of
his long-necked spurs, and, totally unknown
to me, ruffled the horse's temper ; the animal
remembering the treatment he received, and
finding but a feather on his back, when excited
by the music of the hounds, overpowered his
rider ; but, thank Heaven, no serious accident
occurred. I was unutterably shocked and
distressed on hearing of the occurrence, and
may state that on the day in question I was
driving in my dog-cart, accompanied by a
gentleman (late an officer in Her Majesty's
service) who can vouch for the truth of my
statement, when Mrs. O'Donoghue came up
to me and told me of her very narrow escape.
I did not hesitate an instant to say, " I will
take out the horse I am driving. You know
him to be a perfect mount, and I will put
* the big bay ' in my trap." The lady did not
wish me to do so, knowing the risk I ran in

CORRESPONDENCE. 231

putting a horse in harness that had never
been in such before. I at last succeeded in
prevailing on her not to lose the day's sport,
changed the saddle with great difficulty, and
attached " the big bay " to my dog-cart ; after a
few plunges and an endeavour to get away, he
settled down, and has since gone grandly.
My friend, though a very bold man, would
not get in with me for some time. I hope
after this explanation your correspondent will
be sufficiently generous to allow that I did all
in my power to insure the safety of a most
precious life. With regard to the term
"rough-rider," as applied by "Jermyn" to
Mrs. O'Donoghue, I feel assured if he knew
the lady he would not for worlds have used
such an expression.
I am, Sir,

Your most obedient servant,
One Who has Bidden to Hounds for
OvEB Sixty Years.

Sir, — ^I should by no means recommend a
young lady to wear a spur when learning in a

232 LADIES ON HOESEBACK.

riding-school, but from my own experience I
strongly advise all girls beginning to ride
on the road never to mount their steeds
without a sharp spur on their left boot. The
second time I went out riding, when I was
fourteen, my cob, startled by some noise,
suddenly began to rear and pitch vigorously.
I appHed my whip sharply across his flank,
but without effect. I then gave him a series
of sharp pricks with my spur, which com-
pletely subdued him. Had I been without a
spur I should probably have been thrown and
severely injured. I should certainly prefer a
spur with a rowel as ** Southern Cross "
recommends, but would it not be apt to tear
the habit ?

I am, &c.

Mabel Florence Eaynb.
The Firs, Cheltenham,
November 1, 1880.

Sir, — ^A correspondent in your last number
advises ladies to use a rowel spur, with five

COERESPONDENCE. 233

prongs, long and sharp, so, as a friend of
horses, I am inclined to write an objection
to their taking this advice. In the first place,
from the nature of a lady's seat, her armed
heel would often unintentionally irritate and
annoy the. horse ; and in the second place
many would probably use this instrument of
torture too severely, and therefore cruelly. A
rowel spur, with five long and sharp prongs —
in fact, a jockey's spur — is a much more
severe instrument than is required for ordi-
nary riding, either by man or woman, and
the advantage of the ladies' bore spur is,
that it can only be applied when intended,
and then is quite sufficiently severe. I
have no objection to ladies, who are good
horsewomen, wearing a spur, and using it, too,
as severely as necessary, but I have great
objections to any unnecessary pain or annoy-
ance being given to my friends, the horses.
Another lady correspondent of yours says
that a spur is quite indispensable for hunting.
If she means that it should always be worn
in case it is required, I agree ; but I have
ridden a courageous high-tempered horse for

234 LADIES ON HORSEBACK.

years with hounds without ever using the

spur.

I am, &c.

Fair Play.

Glasgow, 1st November 1880.

Sir, — As the subject of spurs and other
riding equipment for ladies seems at the
present time to occupy and interest many oi
your fair readers, permit me, on behaK of
my sisters, who are horsewomen of some
experience, both at home and in the colonies,
and who have practically tried most known
riding-costumes, to recommend, through the
medium of your columns, the following as a
comfortable and serviceable riding-dress for
a lady, for long country rides, picnics, &c. ; of
course not for the Park, or a lawn meet.
Habit — a short, strong hunting- skirt, short
enough to walk in with comfort, with jacket
of same cloth as skirt, made loose enough to
admit of a jersey being worn under it if
required; a wide leather belt for the waist,
fastening with a buckle. This belt will be
found a great comfort and support when on

CORRESPONDENCE. 235

horseback for many hours. Hat of soft felt,
or a melon-shaped hat. Pantaloons of chamois
leather, buttoning close at the ankles. Hussar
or Wellington boots, reaching to about four
inches of the knee, to be worn over the
pantaloons, made of Peel leather with moderate-
sized heels, tipped with brass, and soles strong
but not thick. A leather stud should be sewn
on the left boot, about 2J inches above the
heel, on which stud the spur should rest, and
thus be kept in its place without tight
buckling. The spur found to be the most
useful after the trial of many is a rowel spur
of plated steel, about two inches to two and-a-
half inches long, strong and light, hunting
shape, and fastened with a strap and buckle,
the foot-strap of plated steel chain. This
chain foot-strap looks neater than a leathei
one, and does not become cut or worn out
when on foot on rough or rocky ground. The
rowel pin is a screw pin ; thus the rowel can
be changed at pleasure, and a sharp or a blunt
one fitted as is required by the horse one
rides. The spur I mention can be obtained
of Messrs. Maxwell & Co., Piccadilly,

236 LADIES ON HORSEBACK.

London ; or of Mr. Thompson, saddler,
Dawson street, Dublin.

Some ladies afiect two spurs — one, the
right, being fitted mth a blank rowel; this
is, of course, for appearance sake when dis-
mounted. I have not often seen two spurs
worn. I am not alluding to Miss Bird's
riding- costume, as described in her books,
Life in the Sandwich Islands and The Bocky
Mountains. She rode a la cavaliere, in a
Mexican saddle, and wearing big rowel
Mexican spurs, and appears from her account
to have preferred this style of riding to the
modern style and side-saddle. Some years
ago I saw a photograph of the Queen of
Naples (I think in 1860), representing the
queen mounted a la cavaliere, wearing a high
felt hat, a long white cloak, patent-leather
jack-boots, and gilt spurs. Can any of your
readers inform me if this style of riding for
ladies is a custom of Southern Italy as well
is Mexico and the Sandwich Islands ?

I am, &c.

Jack Spur.

COERESPONDENCE. 237

Sir, — I cannot regret that my letter has
given the authoress of this work, and also
the owner of the "big bay'' horse, an
opportunity of explaining the circumstances
attending her mount on that puissant but
headstrong animal, and of repudiating the
erroneous construction put upon it, as probably
the same idea may have occurred to many
other readers of the anecdote, who may not
have cared to express their sentiments. I
must say, however, that I am very sorry if
my remarks occasioned pain to either of your
correspondents. The explanation given
shows clearly that no blame was really
attributable to the gentleman who offered the
mount, and I can well believe he never
dreamt of danger with the horse in sucli
skilful hands. No one would doubt the
sincerity of the statement given, that the
horse was put in harness for the first time and
driven away, after such an experience of his
temper; but it speaks more highly for the
courage than discretion of his owner, and I
can well understand the friend's hesitation to
share the driving-seat, for there are few

238 LADIES ON HOESEBACK.

things more trying to the nerves than to sit
behind a determined bolter. Perhaps I write
feeHngly, having been in that predicament
myself three years ago, resulting in a fractured
hip and permanent lameness. I will most
certainly admit that the chivalrous gentleman
did all, and more than was necessary, to avert
further peril to the lady who had so narrow an
escape. As for the obnoxious term " rough
rider," to which exception is taken, it was
intended to be used generally and not
individually ; if it has unfortunately happened
that Mrs. Power O'Donoghue, whom I have
never had the pleasure of seeing, took it in a
personal sense, I most sincerely beg her
forgiveness, and will ask her rather to accept,
as appHcable to herself, the earher remarks
about ladies on horseback at the conclusion of
my letter, and the assurance of my belief that
such a gentlewoman as she is described could
never be a rough rider in any way.

I am, &c,

Jeemyn.

CORRESPONDENCE. 239

Sir, — The spur with a five-pointed rowel
was strongly recommended for ladies' use
many years ago in the Queen, and is worn by
many : it does not tear the habit, and is not
more severe than the spring-sheath spur with
a point of the same length, as only one point
of the rowel can prick the horse at a time ;
indeed, it is not so severe, as it can be apphed
with a very shght touch, which generally is
all that is required, whilst the spring-sheath
spur must be appHed with sufficient force to
overcome the resistance of the spring, with
the result that the horse is often more sharply
pricked than the rider intends. The points
of a lady's spur should be long enough to be
effective if the skirt of the habit intervenes,
as, with any arrangement, it sometimes
will do, when, if the points are too short,
the horse does not feel it. I dissent from the
statement of "Fairplay'* that, "from the
nature of a lady's seat, her armed heel would
often unintentionally irritate^ and annoy her
horse.'' If apphed to a clumsy rider the
statement is accurate, but a lady who is a
moderately good rider has no difficulty in

240 LADIES ON HORSEBACK.

keeping her foot in the proper position, and a
lady's left foot should be in the same position
as a man's ; whilst, as a lady has the third
crutch to steady her left leg, she has less
excuse than a man would have for the unin-
tentional use of the spur ; but this evil carries
its own antidote, for the lady would soon
perceive the result of the irritation, and
become more careful. The best way to cure
a boy of turning out his toes and holding on
with his heels is to give him a pair of long-
necked spurs, and then put him on a fidgetty
horse ; a few minutes' experience teaches him
more than a month of lecturing. I never
knew of a mishap occurring to a lady through
accidentally spurring her horse, but I have
known many instances of ladies being put to
great inconvenience and annoyance through
not wearing a spur, and I do not understand
why a lady should be more hkely than a man
fco use it with undue severity. That it is an
advantage to a lady is clearly shown by the
fact that a lady who once tries one always
continues its use. " Fairplay " is also
mistaken about the spring-sheath spur, for it

COKKESPONDENCE. 241

is as readily applied as any other, though,
more force is required, which is objectionable,
and especially so in park riding, when the
spring of the horse to an unintentionally
sharp appHcation betrays the action of the
rider. I claim to be as good a friend of
horses as ^'Fairplay," but I have some regard
for the rider as well as for the horse, and I
consider that, whilst we are justified in riding
horses, we are justified in using such reason-
able aids as we find most satisfactory to our-
selves ; and I have no sympathy with anyone
who objects to a lady avaihng herself of the
convenience and assistance so readily sup-
pHed by a judiciously-used spur, which every
horseman knows cannot, in very many cases,
be obtained by any other means, and which
he never hesitates to avail himself of. In
these days of locomotion a lady loses a great
deal of the pleasures of traveUing, and of the
opportunities of seeing the countries she may
visit, unless she can and will ride such horses.
as she may meet with in those countries ;
and even in the rural districts of England
there is many an old nag of the " Proputty

16

242 LADIES ON HOESEBACK.

Proputty " type, which (though not possessed
of the special points of a lady's horse — ** Oh !
such a lovely mane and tail") will carry a lady
tolerably well if he feels the spur occasionally.
If ** Mabel Florence Kayne" tries the rowel
spur and the bit I mentioned in my former
letter, I am sure she will be satisfied with
them, and perhaps she will write her opinion
for the benefit of others. The excellent and
sensible letters of Mrs. Power O'Donoghue
will probably convince people that a horse,
when he has a lady on his back, is very much
the same kind of animal, and requires very
much the same kind of management, as when
he is ridden by a man. If Mrs. Power
O'Donoghue can obtain this result, she wiU
sweep away many of the peculiar prejudices
and ideas that now prevail as to all matters
appertaining to ladies on horseback.

I am, &c.

SouTHEBN Cross.

Sir, — In the article under the above-
mentioned heading, pubHshed in your issue of

CORRESPONDENCE. 243

ihe 6th November, Mrs. Power 0*Donoghiie
recommends that horses' tails should not be
docked. Dealers, when offering horses for
sale, do not usually volunteer any information
as to whether the horses have been docked.
I wish, therefore, to inform any intending
purchasers who may not know how to ascer-
tain whether a horse has been docked, and
who may wish to obtain some which have
not been disfigured in this manner, that if the
dock (that is, the portion of the tail which
consists of bones and muscles, &c.) is in its
natural state, the hair grows thickly at the
end or tip of it, and there is no bare space
there ; but if it has been shortened by a
portion of it being cut off (or docked), there
is at the end or tip of it a circular space of
about an inch in diameter, entirely bare of
hair. When a horse has been docked, the
hair of the tail scarcely grows after it has
reached to within six or seven inches above
the hocks. The hocks of a large horse are
about twenty-five inches above the ground.
It is a general custom with London dealers
to cut the hair of the tail very short before

16 *

244 LADIES ON HORSEBACK.

offering a horse for sale, so that it does not
come down lower than to a distance of about
nine inches above the hocks. The buyer
cannot then tell to what length the tail is
likely to grow. If customers would refuse
to buy horses with the hair of the tail cut
short, perhaps the practice in question would
be discontinued by the dealers.

I am, Sir, &c

X. Y. Z.
London, November 10, 1880.

Sir, — In your paper of last week I notice a
letter on the advisability of ladies on horse-
back adopting the cross-saddle in place of
the side, that is to say, in plain Enghsh, ride
astride. This I have done abroad when far
beyond conventional bondage, and it is
incomparably better. Your correspondent
points out the evils resulting from the one-sided
twisted seat, which a lady now has, and also,
in the same paper, the authoress of Ladies on
Horseback says how impossible it is with only
one foot in the stirrup to rise comfortably to a

CORRESPONDENCE. 245

liigh trotter. Now I should never have dared
to name such a change had it not been thus
mooted. Society will shriek out and say,
*' Woman would be indeed out of place thus."
Why ? I am sure with a proper dress there
is nothing to hurt the extremely proper feelings
of the most modest. All who have hunted
know that the very short skirted habits at
times display, well, say the leg of the fair
equestrienne most liberally. Now the dress for
the cross-horse style is much the same as a
bathing suit, loose Zouave drawers drawn close
below the knee, and fastened tightly over the
boot at the ankle ; a loose tunic, long enough
to come almost to the knee when mounted,
lightly belted at the waist, a cape falHng over
the shoulders, not quite to the elbows. This
is my attire when free to ride in the only
really comfortable way, a foot in each stirrup.
Oh, no woman would ever be twisted and
packed on to a side saddle again if she could
help it, after once enjoying the ease and free-
dom, as well as complete control of her horse
which a man's seat gives.

So far as exhibitions of limbs go, it is much

2^6 LADIES ON HORSEBACK.

more delicate, and there is nothing to offend
tiie most sensitive lady in this style. Only
it is not fashionable. When shall we cease to
prostrate ourselves before that Juggernaut of
fashion ? For all paces and in every instance
it is better, and the risk of accidents is reduced
at least one half. It is a wonderful ease in long
rides to vary the stirrup length. The mihtary,
almost straight-leg, trot, J think the easiest,
but, on the other hand, some of the best
riders I have ever seen abroad ride with a
very short stirrup ; it is a matter of habit and
custom. But if the fashion were once intro-
duced here, I know it would prove a priceless
boon to ladies who love riding. Let some
lady who has the opportunity once try it in
her own private grounds (at first) or in soma
quiet, out-of-the-way country lane or moorland,
and she will be surprised. It is a new existence
on horseback, and nothing indehcate about it, clad
as I have named. Oh, what a difference it
does make. It is twenty-three years now since
I first took the idea from a book published by
a lady, entitled. Unprotected Females in Norway,
and whenever I can, I always ride so, of

CORRESPONDENCE. 247

course abroad or even in the far nortli of
Scotland. What a sensation in the Kow
would a party of ladies make thus mounted !
Again, it is much easier for the horse, having
your weight fairly distributed, not all perched
on one side. Your seat is much firmer;
leaping is, oh, so easy ; in fact, your power
seems doubled in every way. In case of con-
flict with your horse, you feel a veritable
centaur compared with the side seat, where
you have no grip, only the aid of the saddle,
but with the aid of your own knees and a foot
on each side of the horse I think I could not be
thrown. Oh, I wish it could be initiated, dear
Mr. Editor. Do use your influence in this
direction. And it really looks well when the
dress is well-made and tasty, and you feel so
very free and at ease, can turn about any
way, not pinned on to your horse, or rather on
to your saddle, as ladies are. I could give
full directions to make an^ outfit for going
abroad in this style ; you would smile at my
saddle I know, but it is so comfortable. I can
hardly bear to ride on an orthodox one now.
That is the worst of it. I have been mounted

24b LADIES ON HORSEBACK.

(

on mnles in this manner in Honduras, and
ridden immense distances without being stiff
or tired unduly. Some of these are the
animals to try your mettle and seat, and I was
only once thrown, owing to a stirrup-leather
breaking. Then a lady is able to use spurs
as easily as possible, no trouble about habit
skirts tearing or getting in the way of the
spur. With a sharp spur on each foot you
can do anything with your horse, so very
different from the wretched box spurs, eternally
entangled in your habit or out of order. I
do wish an association could be formed to
carry out the idea ; one or two could not do
it, it must be simultaneous. For httle girls
it would be simply invaluable as an improve-
ment on the present style, which really does
cause distortion of the spine and a one-sided
carriage when girls ride much. Do please
ventilate this question, and oblige very

much,

Yours, &c,

Heesilie.

P.S. — I have taken your paper ever since
October 2nd, when I first saw Ladies on Horse-

CORRESPONDENCE. 249

bach in it, and have been mucli pleased with it,
and also much amused with the correspondence
thereon, but I never expected to see ladies'
change of seat advocated, and am so glad
to-day to find that it is.

SiE, — Permit me to state that the object
in having the screw rowel-pin in the spur,
recommended by me for the use of ladies in
your number of November 13th, is in order to
enable the wearers to use a mild or a severe
rowel, according to the requirements of the
horses they ride. I am very much against
sharp spurs for ladies (or gentlemen either),
unless they are absolutely required ; but
from some experience, both at home and
abroad, I am quite convinced that the wearing
of a spur should be the rule and not the
exception. If the rowel is moderately sharp
only, no cruelty can arise, less I maintain than
in the use of a whip. I strongly object to the
use of the sheath spur because of its severity ;
it must be applied with a hick to be of any
use, and the effect is usually much more

250 LADIES ON HORSEBACK.

punishing than there is any necessity for. If
ladies will use rowel spurs with moderately
sharp rowels, such as are usual in gentlemen's
park spurs, they will find that they are in
possession of a very useful aid (certainly not a
cruel one), and if fitted on a neat patent
leather hussar or Wellington boot, a very
ornamental one as well.

I am, &G.

Jack Spur.

December, 1880.

Sir, — The correspondence on Mrs. Power
O'Donoghue's articles has contained many
remarks on ladies' spurs, but I have noticed
scarcely any reference to one point which I
think is worth consideration — nanjely, the
mode of fastening. I think ladies would find
it an advantage to wear what are known as
^^ spring" or ''box" spurs, instead of those
fastening with the usual straps, or strap and
chain. I have never seen a lady's spur of
this description, but possibly they are made —
if not, they easily could be. They are much

CORRESPONDENCE. 251

the most easy to attach or remove, and there
is no chance of a strap being cut in walking
or otherwise, or of an over-tight buckle
hurting the foot. Their principal advantage,
however, is not one of mere convenience, but
of safety ; the absence of strap and buckle
removes one element in a great danger — that
of the foot sticking in the stirrup in a fall.
Captain Why te- Melville speaks from observa-
tion of the risk of the buckle catching in the
angle of the stirrup-iron, and says he has
never seen a spurless boot so entangled. He
is arguing against the wearing of spurs at all ;
but the risk is avoided if box spurs be worn.
Since I became convinced that the strap and
buckle were a quite possible, though perhaps
unhkely, source of danger, I have altogether
discarded them, and have felt my feet more
free in the stirrups in consequence. Box
spurs are certainly not fashionable in the
hunting-field, and I have often seen people
looking askance at them ; I suppose a par-
ticular man misses the finish that the strap
gives to the boot. But I don't think that
matters much, and to ladies it would not

:Z52 LADIES ON HOESEBACK.

matter at all, as the difference could very
seldom be detected. In getting spurs or boxes,
I find it convenient to adhere always to the
regulation cavalry size, because then one's old
spurs fit one's new boots, and vice versa. It
would be well to have a uniform standard for
ladies' spurs also. I have not ventured to
say anything on the subject of spurs generally
— my own opinion is that legitimate occasion
for their use is excessively rare — and I dare
say my suggestion may seem very trivial.
But I do not think any precaution is trivial
which lessens, however slightly, the risk of
that most disagreeable and dangerous of
accidents — getting '* hung up.*'
I am, Sir,

Your obedient servant,

Oxonian.
BaU. Col., Oxon., December, 1880.

Sib, — I cannot but feel flattered that my
Ladies on Horseback papers should have called
forth so large a correspondence. I have read
every letter most carefully, and on perusing that

CORRESPONDENCE. 258

of *' Hersilie/' wliicli appeared in last week's
issue, it struck me, from two of her observa-
tions, that persons might suppose I had said
something to advocate the style of riding of
which she approves. Permit me to say,
emphatically, that I have never done so, and
that I fervently hope, in the interests of my
sex, that such a practice may never be intro-
duced. Modesty is, in my opinion, a woman's
most exquisite attribute ; once this, or the
semblance of it, is lost, her fairest charm is
gone. Nothing could be more ungraceful or
more unwomanly than for women to ride like
men; and for short women or '* little girls,"
it would be most objectionable. I maintain
that a lady who knows how to sit has a far
safer and surer seat on a side-saddle than a
man can ever have, and that her grip of the
pommels affords her infinitely greater security
than a man's '' grip of the knees." '' Hersihe"
is correct in saying that short-skirted hunting-
habits frequently ride up, but she might just
as well say that hunting-hats frequently fall
off, and that ladies' back hair frequently comes
down - giving these facts as a reason for

254 LADIES ON HORSEBACK.

discarding head-gear, whether natural or artifi-
cial. As a rule, nothing that is properly made
and properly adjusted ever comes to grief. It
is by going to cheap and incompetent habit-
makers, neglecting to stitch elastics to their
hats, and plaiting the hair too loosely (being
also too sparing of hair-pins), that ladies are
inconvenienced and made to blush. Two
yards wide round the hem is ample for a
hunting-habit, which should fit like a glove
about the hips. First-class tailors always have
a model horse, upon which they mount their
lady customers, and thus secure the right
position for the slope at the knee, upon which
so much of the ^^ set " of the skirt depends.
A well-dressed woman, sitting properly upon a
well- constructed saddle, cannot, in my opinion,
be improved upon for style and comfort, and
I hope it will be long indeed before ladies
strive to follow in any way the customs or
calhngs of the sterner sex. I may add that
one of the chief recommendations of a box
spur is that it does not get out of order, nor
can it possibly become entangled, unless the
habit-skirt be one of those which some ladies

CORRESPONDENCE. 255

still persist in wearing — nearly twice too long,
and quite three times too wide. I earnestly
hope ** HersiKe " will take these observations
in good part. I make them in a perfectly
friendly spirit. I feel kindly towards all ladies,
especially those who love horses ; and so I
offer ^'Hersilie '* a warm shake-hands, and
hope she will fight me as much as ever she
likes — in a friendly way, of course !

Now, a word to " Jack Spur." I think he is
under a mistake in averring that there is any
severity in the sheath spur. He says it must
be appUed with a kick. As I always ride with
one, and never with any other description, I
must entirely differ from him in this opinion.
A shght pressure is alone necessary. No
gentlewoman would be guilty of kicking her
horse. I strongly object to rowels, as I hold to
the beUef that almost anybody — except a really
first-class equestrienne — would be likely to hurt or
worry the horse in an unnecessary manner.

Strange to say, I had only got thus far in
my letter when the post brought me a com-
munication from Stirling, signed **Eeform,"
begging of me to advocate ladies riding upon

256 LADIES ON HORSEBACK.

the cross-saddle. Were it not that the writer
says so many nice, kind things of myself (for
which I heg to thank her) I should be really
angry at the tremendous display of zeal thus
wasted upon so unworthy a subject. It is true
that a lady's seat on horseback prevents her
pressing her horse up to his bridle as a
man can, unless — but there is the unless — she
knows how to do it. A good stout hunting-
crop, properly used, will admirably fulfil the
duties of the second leg ; but in all my
experience, and it is a pretty wide one, I have
never seen more than two lady riders who
had any idea of making a horse gallop or
sending him up to his bit. I do not mean
riding his head off — we unfortunately see too
much of that ; but pressing him up to his
work, and riding him with firm, accomplished
hands, such as are only to be obtained by
good teaching, long and constant practice,
and real love of the art. To give some idea
of the hazy notion which most persons have
about riding, a lady who came to call upon
me in London, and who certainly meant to be
most kind and pohte, said, as we sat at our

CORRESPONDENCE. 257

afternoon tea, ^^ I am looking at your hands ;
how well-developed they are, from pulling your
horses, I suppose ! " She thought I was offended
when I told her that my riding gloves were
No. 6, and that I never pulled my horses ;
but I am not captious, nor would it ba
possible to take offence with one who so little
intended to cause it.

The offer which I made at the conclusion
of my Ladies on Horsehach, to answer private
inquiries, has led to such a host of letters^
that, although I regularly devote one hour
every morning to the task of replying to each
in turn, I find it impossible to keep pace with
the work. Will you, therefore, sir, with the
kindness extended to me upon a former
occasion, suffer me to answer a few of my
correspondents through the medium of your
columns.

EiCHARD R. — One measure three times daily,,
with a good double-handful of Indian corn
mixed through it.

Captain Swordarm. — The oats will require
two waters. The grains should swell and
separate, like rice boiled for curries.

17

:258 LADIES ON HOESEBACK.

Evelyn Haekess. — Your parcel has not
reached me. My tailor will endeavour to
please you.

Jane Y. — A very cruel practice.

Eefoem. — ^You will see that I have acknow-
ledged your letter. Judging hy the post-
mark it should have come to hand three
days ago, but you gave the wrong address,
and it went on a seeking expedition.
" Dublin " will at any time find me. This
is also for "Quilp," ^'B. Max," and ^'Violet
Grey."

Ella. — ^Your horse is evidently a rough
trotter, and can never be pleasant to ride. Try
to exchange or sell him.

Maey Peeplexed. — The pommels of your
saddle are most likely too far apart ; that is,
the leaping head is placed too low. If you
cannot change it, ride with a longer stirrup-
leather. I have been lately shown the
preparation for an improved side-saddle, by
Messrs. F. V. Nicholls & Co., of 2 Jermyn
Street, comprising a patented arrangement
for the third crutch or leaping-head. I think
that this will be a great boon to those ladies

COBRESPONDENCE. 259

who, like myseK, have suffered inconvenience
and accident from the leaping-head heing a
fixture, and not in the position required to
afford a proper degree of support, and at the
same time to admit of the stirrup-leather
being used of correct length for an easy,
secure, and graceful seat. The improvement
of the new saddle consists in a sliding socket
or apparatus, by which the leaping-head can
l)e moved freely backward or forward to any
position, and instantly fixed firmly by the rider
herseK, thus f ^bhng a lady to alter at any
time the lengtJi of her stirrup, and yet gain
every requisite "'irport from the third crutch.
Another little innovation by the same ex-
perienced saddlers in riding bridles, an
adaptation of my favourite double-ring snaffle.
The loose rings of the snaffle have some extra
loops, appended to which is a short noseband,
acted upon by one rein, giving a powerful
effect in stopping a runaway horse, whilst the
use of the other rein singly has the pleasant
and easy nature of the ordinary snaffle-bridle.
The principle of this bridle, which is called
^^the improved Newmarket snaffle," is, of

17 *

260 LADIES ON HORSEBACK.

course, equally applicable to the use of persons
of either sex.

Giles. — Have the shoe taken off and give
him rest.

Ursa Major. — There is no real cure for
ringbone. Do not waste your money.

Claude, Emma Vane^ N. Parkes, Henry B.^
Ehoda, Nellie K., and thirty-one others^
write to me for — photographs ! I am sorry
that "for lack of gold" I cannot supply a
kindly public with my pictures, and I am not
vain enough to state pubhcly where they may
be had.

NiMROD. — Pleader was purchased from me
last week by the Earl of Eghnton. It will,
therefore, be unnecessary for me to reply to
any further inquiries respecting him. I named
his price and made no change, nor was I
asked to do so.

Cropper. — ^You were evidently sitting loosely^
and thus suffered for your carelessness. You
will not be caught napping the next time.

Anxious, Martha, and a host of others
have asked me a very famihar question, *^ How
I learned to ride ? I have hitherto avoided

- COERESPONDENC^E. 261

answering, rather than introduce a name
whose owner did not wish me to do so. But
I think I may hope to win his pardon. Most,
if not all, my skill in the saddle is mainly due
to the kind and untiring patience of my dear
old friend and teacher, Mr. Allan McDonogh,
who — despite his threescore years and ten —
was, up to the time of his lamentable accident,
ever ready to act as my pilot and instructor.

Enquirer. — Eide a steady horse, and your
nerve will come back again. Mine did, after
a much more terrible mischance.

CoRsicAN Brother. — It is not true.

Critic. — You only discovered one mistake,
but there are really three in my story, ^* In
Search of a Wonder," which appeared in the
Christmas Number of this journal. In place
of '* hustled me out of a sort of enclosure,"
read ** to a sort of enclosure." Also, ^^ sudden-
ness " requires two n's, and ** carrattella " is
the correct way to spell a word which signifies
a small cart or rough carriage peculiar to the
Piedmontese. These are all printer's errors,
and should have been corrected by me, but I
revised my proof in a crowded coffee-room of

262 LADIES ON HOKSEBACK.

a London hotel, with at least a dozen persons
talking to me as I did so, and thus, being
also pressed for time, a few mistakes escaped
my notice.

To you, sir, and to all my friends, best
wishes for the New Year, and many grateful
thanks for more kindness than I can deem
myself worthy of.

Yours obediently,

Nannie Power O'Donoghue.

Dubhn, December 1880.

Sib, — In case no one more able than myself
answers " Hersilie's " letter in this week's
number of your valuable paper, will you allow
me, in the name of many lady riders who
** can " use the side-saddle, to write and
protest against the idea cropping up of our
riding hke men ? I cannot help feeling justly
indignant with those who try to introduce
such a radical change, for, surely, we are
already too much inclined to follow all the
ways and pursuits of the opposite sex
without so far forgetting ourselves as to
wish to ride as they do. I do not want to-

COBRESPONDENCE. 263

criticise what one is often obliged to do in
foreign lands ; there it may prove a necessity,
for the riding is not simply for pleasure, but
often the only means, of transport, and the
horses may not be fitted for our saddles, nor
we accustomed to their paces ; but, in England,
the idea of a number of ladies fantastically
dressed and mounted Hke men must shock
many of your readers. I hope *^X. Y. Z,"
who first wrote in favour of this change some
weeks ago, may pardon me if I say that the
ladies of his or her acquaintance who, in con-
sequence of only one stirrup, cannot avoid
inclining the head and shoulders too much to
the left, &c., and in addition gall their horses'
backs, had better not attempt to ride at all.
What is a prettier sight than a neatly-dressed
Enghshwoman riding a horse, '^ as a lady,"
and should we retain the same respect we now
get if we gave up, in this particular, the few
feminine tokens left to us. Why not let us
accept the male attire altogether ? It would
be far more to our comfort in getting about on
foot, and if one change is so advisable, surely
the other is quite as sensible. I agree with

^64 LADIES ON HOESEBACK.

** Hersilie " in thinking that the habits of the
present day are indelicately short, and I cannot
see that ladies ride s>ny better showing their
boots and with their arms akimbo than they
did a year or so ago, when their feet were
covered and no daylight showed between their
arms. I come of as ** horsey" a family as
any in England, and have ridden ever since I
•could sit upright ; but I never experienced, or
knew that my sisters experienced, any of the
troubles ''X. Y. Z. " and ^* Hersilie " com-
plain of. My father, who was our sole
instructor, put us on any animal that he
thought likely to suit his own riding, and no
matter where we were, in the hunting-field or
elsewhere, the least deviation from sitting
square would bring from him the sharp repri-
mand of, '' What are you doing ? Bring that
left shoulder up, and don't let me see any
daylight between your arms ! " He also
insisted that our stirrups should be short, even
to discomfort, until we got used to it ; but this
prevented any chance of our hurting the
horse's back, which most frequently comes
from a lady riding with a long stirrup, and

COBEESPONDENCE. 265

i;vhen she trots having to seek her stirrup,
which constantly moves her saddle, and makes
her as well look most awkward and one-
sided.

If not trespassing too much, may I say one
other little word in the interest of the horses I
love so well ? Over and over again, lately,
have I seen the advice given in your paper
that we should never be without a spur. Now,
sir, if my experience can have any weight, I
will say that I have hunted and ridden across
country in all parts of Gloucestershire all my
young days, that I was put on horses whether
they or I liked it or not, both kind, unkind, or
violent ones, and I am thankful to say that
the idea of my wearing a spur never entered
my father's head nor mine. It seems to me
such an underhand way of punishing one's
horse — a real feminine species of torture, for
no one sees the dig, dig, dig, but there it is all
the time; and many a horse, I firmly believe,
comes to grief with its rider simply because,
not understanding its power, she taxes it
beyond its strength. Not one horse in twenty
will refuse, or need either whip or spur if he

266 LADIES ON HORSEBACK.

knows his mistress, and if he does he is not
fit for inexperienced riders.

I wish every girl was taught as I have been^
*' that a horse can do no wrong." This made
me study the pecuHarities of every animal I
was put upon, and I have never had an accident
of any kind. Every horsewoman who loves
riding must be proud of the feats accomphshed
by Mrs. Power O'Donoghue in the side-saddle,
but would she be admired or respected as she
is if she turned out as a man and rode as men
do ? It is being able to sit square and ride
straight on a side-saddle, that we should be
vain of, and not wish to make^a change, which
could only bring EngHshwomen down in the
estimation of all those who are now so justly
proud of them on horseback.

I am. Sir,

Yours, &G.

The Ladybird.

December 18, 1880.

Sir, — Will you allow me to make one or
two remarks upon a letter I read last night in

CORRESPONDENCE. 267

your valuable paper ? It is from a correspon-
dent speaking of the ill effects produced by
the use of side-saddles.

In the first place your correspondent should
remember that the back of the horse, as well
as the shoulder, is soft and tender when not
in condition, that is, in constant work, and
not fit for either riding or driving long
distances at once, without damage. Get the
back carefully and well seasoned, or accustomed
to the side-saddle, during the time the horse
is getting into condition for the hunting-field,
and use a leather saddle-cloth under the
saddle ; let it be long enough, and not the
shape of the saddle, and have all properly put
on the horse, and you will not come to grief
with six or seven hours' work, or before the
lady is tired ; that is, provided the lady will
sit well down and steady in her saddle, and
keep her horse as much from trotting as
possible. Her horse must learn to canter
slowly both to cover and home, it will be
much better for the horse and much easier for
the lady when she is accustomed to it ; she
will not be troubled any more with horses witk

26S LADIES ON HORSEBACK.

sore backs. Another remark from " X. Y. Z."
is, it is said that curvature of the spine some-
times ensues from children being taught at
too early an age to ride on side-saddles. I fear
the mistake is by the said children not having
been taught how to sit or to put themselves
in form for their own comfort, but left to
sit as they like on horseback and get bad
habits they cannot get rid of, never throw-
ing the weight of the body in its proper
place. Then, as to the remark about the
riding-habit on the pommels, that disadvantage
either has, or ought to have, passed away a
long time ago ; for I am well satisfied that a
lady can so dress herself for the hunting-field
in boots, Bedfords, and plenty of flannel that
she can keep herself warm and comfortable
without a great, strong, heavy, long riding-
habit. Let the habit be short and very hght,
and by no means bound round the bottom
part with anything strong, but left so that it
will give way either in a fall or in leaping
through a high fence. I wonder if Mr. Lovell
had his knife in his pocket when he saw his
daughter suspended by the habit, which would

CORRESPONDENCE. 269'

neither tear nor be removed ; had it been of
light, thin material, and short, the sad accident
wonld not have occurred. I am satisfied a
little care and proper attention will put all
things right of which your correspondent

complains.

I am, &c.

0. P.

December, 1880.

giB, — In your issue of the 4th December,
" Farmer " writes that his horses are fed upon
oats which have been soaked in cold water,
and that he has the corn thus prepared because
he could not easily manage to have a steaming
apparatus for cooking the food in the way that
is recommended by Mr. Edward Mayhew
M.R.C.Y.S., in his Illustrated Horse Management,
The plan that I have adopted during the last
two months has been to have the oats put in
a pail (made of oakwood) in th« evening, and
to pour upon them from a kettle a sufficient
quantity of boiling water to rise a little above
the oats ; a sack is placed over it to keep in
the heat, and the oats are then left to soak

•270 LADIES ON HOESEBACK.

during the niglat; on the following morning
the husk is so much softened that it will yield
to the pressure of the thumh and finger. In
this state the oats are more easily digested by
the horse, and it is better for his teeth than to
have to bite a hard substance. A wooden pail
is preferable to a zinc one, because it does not
conduct the heat from the oats so much as
one of the latter description does. A lid
would be, perhaps, better than a sack. The
pail should not be filled with the oats, because
the latter will swell when soaked. In the
stall in our stable there is no water-trough at
the side of the manger, and in order that the
horse may have water within reach during the
day and night, a zinc pail is placed in and at
the end of the manger, and the handle of it
is secured by a chain to the iron bars forming
the upper part of the partition between the
two stalls. In the loose-box, a pail containing
water is suspended by a chain to some iron
bars placed inside the window.

I am, &c.

X. Y. Z.
London, December, 1880.

COEKESPONDENCE. 271

Sib, — I cannot but feel flattered that Mrs.
O'Donoghue has so frankly and kindly invited
me to ^' break a lance " with her. I do, with
l^oth my hands and with all my heart, recipro-
cate her *^warm shake-hands," and, vizor
down and spear in rest, ride full tilt at her in
fair and open fight to do my poor devoirs^ if
you will allow me once again to enter the
lists in your paper. If Mrs. O'Donoghue will
read her paper in your number for November
27th she will find these words: *^My com-
panion was in ease while I was in torture.'*
Why was this? '^Because he had a leg on
either side of his mount, his weight equally
distributed, and an equal support upon both
sides ; in fact, he had, as all male riders have,
the advantage of a double support in the rise ;
consequently, at the moment when his weight
was removed from the saddle, it was thrown
upon both sides, and this equal distribution
enabled him to accomphsh without fatigue that
slow rise and fall which is so tiring to a lady
whose weight, when she is out of the saddle, is
thrown entirely upon one dehcate limb, thus
inducing her to fall again as soon as possible,"

272 LADIES ON HORSEBACK.

Again, in the very next paragraph, Mrs,
O'Donoghue says, " A man will be able ta
stand in his stirrups for a considerable time,
even to ride at a gallop, so doing because he
transfers his weight equally to his feet ; but
how rarely do we see a lady balanced upon
one leg ! The sensation is not agreeable, and
would, moreover, be unpleasantly productive
of wrung backs." These are verbatim extracts
from ** Part Three continued." I think my
preference for a leg on each side of my horse,
and a distribution of my weight equally on
to each foot, is most eloquently and forcibly
justified by Mrs. O'Donoghue when she wrote
the above. I did not suggest, or at any rate
did not mean to suggest, that she advocated
a cross-seat for ladies, but that she unmistak-
ably pointed out the great advantages of such
a seat her own words abundantly testify.
Again, some of the healthiest children I have
ever seen are poor little gipsy girls, who,
from being able to mount a donkey, have
always ridden astride when once past the
pannier period of their nomadic life. Also,
some of the short, stout peasant women of

CORRESPONDENCE. 273

Normandy ride thus, as well as the Indian
squaws, and certainly these will compare
favourably as to robust health with their side-
saddle sisters of civilisation; to say nothing
of the South American ladies. We have alsa
the testimony of many lady travellers as to
the superiority of a cross-seat when horseback
is the only mode of transit. I cannot admit
that in any case, even for *^ short women *' or
" little girls," it would be *' most objection-
able," that is, from a hygienic point of view.
On the score of modesty, de gustihus, &c. &c.
But then I allow a great latitude on such a
point (our highest order carries the truest
motto, Ifioni soit qui mal y pense). In fact, I do
not regard it as a question of modesty at all ;
simply of convenience, efficiency, and com-
fort. Mrs. O'Donoghue also says how rare it
is to meet with a perfect lady's horse. *^ In
all my wide experience I have met but two."
Why ? because a lady (and mainly on account
of her side-seat, as I beheve) is heavily
handicapped as compared with a man in her
choice of a horse, or, I should say, in her
requirements from her horse. Every remark

18

^74 LADIES ON HORSEBACK.

in the whole of the papers, " Ladies on Horse-
back," as to kindness, temper, and gentleness
in the treatment of a horse I most cordially
endorse, and I have to thank the fair authoress
for the pleasure I have had in their perusal.

A word or two in answer to " The Lady-
l)ird." In reply to her opening remarks, I
merely observe, " use is second nature," and
had she happened to have lived before '* Anne
of Bohemia " introduced side-saddles she
would have had no room for " indignation ";
possibly in that case she would have always
Tidden pillion. Oh ! if we could only once
realise how much we are the slaves of fashion,
how soon would the yoke be broken ! Con-
trast the crinoline of 1857 and the umbrella-
case attire of 1877 ; put a fashionable belle of
the latter alongside her sister of only twenty
years earlier mode. What a satire on taste,
•on modesty so called ! But I would also ask
** Ladybird " (if it be worth her while) to read
a,gain my letter of the 18th, and she will find
I did not complain of the side-saddle, which I
liave an idea I can use, but pointed out its
great inferiority (which I maintain) to the

COEBESPONDENCE. 275

<jross-saddle. The best test perhaps is the
foreign one. Mount a horse without a saddle,
but properly bitted, and then decide which is
the more natural and easier seat; in one
case you feel an appendage ; in the other
almost part of the horse. In the name of
womanhood I repudiate the suggestion of an
*' underhand way of punishment," being ^^ a
real feminine species of torture.'' Perhaps it
is, under the skirts of a habit, possible to
** dig, dig, dig," for no one sees, truly; but
surely no lady could, or would, spur her horse
for the sake of tormenting him ; in my attire
at any rate it would not be unseen. The
extraordinary teaching that a " horse can do
no wrong" is an axiom with which I cannot
agree. I have been mounted on horses that
*^ could do no right," or if they could do it
would not. And it has taken me all my time
and taxed all my energies to prevent them
from doing the things which they ought not
to do ; for I do object to a horse attempting
to erect himseK in a perpendicular attitude,
either from a fore or aft basis, when I am on
Ms back, and I rejoice to know that I have

18 *

276 LADIES ON HORSEBACK.

(in such cases) on each foot a sharp spur to
use with him as a cogent argument in con-
vincing him that ordinary progression on four
legs is infinitely better than saltimbantique
performance on two — at least from my, his
rider's, point of view. On a well-bred^
highly-trained animal a spur is scarce ever
required to be used, but even then the emer-
gency may arise. I really laughed outright
when I read what you, Sir, said of the
"shoals of letters" arriving from fair corres-
pondents " desiring to ride " as '* Hersihe "
suggested, but this only convinces me that
there are many ladies who feel that it
would be — just exactly' as I described it —
" a new Hfe on horseback." I could add
much more on the subject, but have already
trespassed too long on your space. I only
repeat, let any lady once fairly try it, and she
will always prefer it. I do not for a moment
imagine she will always do it. I admit we
must conform to custom, and I strongly
deprecate individual eccentricity, especially in
a lady. I shall continue to read all that
appears in yom' paper on this and kindred

COEEESPONDENCE. 277

topics with deep interest. Again, I specially

thank Mrs. Power O'Donoghue for her genial

and kindly expression of goodwill, and again

heartily shake the shadowy hand she offers.

I quite believe a No. 6 gloved hand can

control a horse as weU as any 7, 7J, or 8, if

it only be possessed of the cunning. And

thanking you, sir, for your kindness, allow

me as a woman to have the last word, and

again assert, " the cross seat is much the

hetter."

Yours, &c.

Heesilie.
Ambleside (pro tem.)^ Dec. 1880.

SiE, — Kindly permit me to say a few words
in reply to ^' Hersihe's " letter, which appeared
in your issue of last week. I am referred to
my own paper in your number for November
27, but '^ Hersilie " does not quote correctly,
•or perhaps the error is the printer's. I think
I said ^' My companion was at ease, whilst I
was in torture." Now, I merely related the
incident with which these words were asso-
ciated in order to instruct ladies how to avoid

278 LADIES ON HOKSEBACK.

the double rise — not to advocate for a single
instant their riding upon a cross-saddle. I
am quite ready to reiterate my statement that
the position of a man enables him to ride a
rough or clumsy trotter with infinitely greater
ease than can a woman ; but women should
not, in my opinion, ride such at all, nor should
I have done so, as related in your paper of
November 27, were it not that my host, an
immensely heavy man, had none but big rough
horses in his stable, and I was obhged either
to accept a mount upon one of them, for at
least once, or give offence to a dear kind friend,
which I would not do to avoid even a greater
amount of inconvenience than I experienced
upon the occasion in question.

The cross-seat is not the only thing which
ladies may envy the sterner sex, without at
the same time advocating the propriety of
encroaching upon their privileges. For my
own part I never yet set out to walk on a wet
or muddy day without sincerely envying every
man who passed me, his big boots, tucked-up
trousers, and freedom from the petticoats and
furbelows which encumber us and make us.

COERESPONDENCE. 279

feel miserable in the rain; yet I certainly
never felt the smallest desire to adopt his
costume. Nor have I ever seen two persons^
or two big dogs, engaged in fighting, that I
did not envy the man who rushed between the
combatants and stopped the unseemly exhibi-
tion ; yet I decidedly experienced no wish to
do it myself. It would not be my place.
Men have their costume, their avocations,
their sayings and doings, their varied callings
in the world, and women have theirs. Each
should be separate and distinct from the other.
A manly woman, or a womanly man, is, in the
eyes of all rightly-judging persons, a most
objectionable creature. There are many
things which a woman may legitimately
admire, and, in a certain sense, envy, yet with
which she should never desire to meddle^
unless she is ambitious to merge her woman-
hood in the semblance of man. The cross-
skddle is one of these. It may do very weU
in. the wild^ of a country whose inhabitants
are froin' childhood accustomed to it, and
where aU ride alike, but not in civilised
England. As weU seek to advocate the dres&

280 LADIES ON HOESEBACK.

(or undress) of the Indian squaws, as to
endeavour to introduce their style of riding
into a land whose daughters are as modest as
they are fair.

" Hersilie " says : — '* I do not regard it as a
question of modesty at all, simply of con-
venience, efficiency, and comfort.*' The
suhject is one upon which a woman can touch
but very lightly, yet may I affirm that if all
women were to lay aside their chief charm,
and simply go in for " convenience, efficiency,
and comfort,'' society would present fewer
attractions than it at present does ? I shall
leave ** The Ladybird" to answer for herself,
but I cannot help saying that I think *' Hersi-
lie " is hard upon her. She and I have met
but once, yet I know that she is gentle and
highborn, and worthy of nothing but the
love of which her own Christian heart is
composed.

You, sir, must also fight your own little
battle, and tell *^ Hersihe " she is not to
^* laugh outright" at any of your ^* Circular
Notes." She may laugh, of course, at small
fry like myself, but I really canH have my

COKKESPONDENCE. 281

Editor laughed at ! nor my sweet " Ladybird ''
<5rushed !

And now, having said so much, I once
ugain offer a shadowy hand to my adversary,
and hope that though at present we see one
another but darkly, we may yet do so *^ face
to face," and meet as friends.

A word, with your permission, to corres-
pondents : —

Evelyn Haekess. — I have discovered your
parcel. I thought you were sending it
addressed to me. You shall have the contents
in a few days.

Flink. — There is never one worth buying,
•although unwise persons bid fast and high.
Try a private source, and beware of imposition.

E. King. — The horse is sold.

H. DuNBAB, Shamus O'Bkien, W. Hatfield,
and Eose Maeie. — Your questions are of too
personal a nature. If time permits I will
answer privately.

Ignokamus. — Dose him with aloes until he
is dead sick ; then put a saddle on him, with
ft sand-bag at either side, and ring him for an
hour. I warrant he will allow a man upon

282 LADIES ON HOKSEBACK.

Ms back after tMs, nor will he seek to dislodge
Mm either. It is much better and more
humane than the whipping and spurring which
is so grievous to a sensitive looker-on.

jjuGH. — Apply to Mr. Chapman, Oaklands,
Cheltenham.

I. Stake. — How shall I thank you ? but I
know not when I can ride again. Your recipe,
if effectual, would be indeed invaluable. I
shall look for a purchaser for your cob.

May-blossom. — The nicest modern saddles
have no stitching about them. Call at 2,
Jermyn Street.

NiMKOD II. — I have nothing that would suit
you, nor do I ever seU my horses, unless
under exceptional circumstances. I am, of
course, flattered that so many are desirous of
possessing what I have ridden, but my stable
is extremely hmited. See my reply to Hugh.

Hannah Powell. — I shaU answer by letter.

Synnobix. — I said in a former letter that
there was no cure for ringbone ; I have since
heard of one which I consider invaluable, and
the lady who possesses it would seU it for a
trifling sum. Apply to Mrs. Slark, Eose

COEKESPONDENCE. 283

Cottage, BletcUey. I hope Ursa Major will
see this reply to Synnorix, and will profit by my
advice, whicli is to apply at once for the cure.

K. C, Eedcar.— I am pleased you found
my system effectual, but are you sure you did
not carry it out to rigorously? Few would
have such courage.

Jockey. — An authority says Fairyhouse, and
1 dare say he is right, although there is a
double at Punchestown — a big one — at which
many a good man and true has come to signal
grief. I saw a fine young racer killed there

last year.

To Edith, Paul Pry, Jane Burkitt, Con-
stance Haye, and Mousquetaire, many thanks.
If you write to the Editor he may perhaps
give you information as to the possibiHty of

what you ask.

Yours obediently,
Nannie Power O'Donoghue.

giR^ — As I learned from a recent letter from
that most amiable and talented lady, Mrs.
Power O'Donoghue, that her teacher has been

*284 LADIES ON HOESEBACK.

iihe fine old sportsman, Allen McDonogh,
I need wonder no longer at her having
become the very brilliant horsewoman which
undoubtedly she is. A finer or more grace-
ful horseman than her teacher was, has
never lived. Since growing years and in-
creasing weight prevented him from riding
his own horses he has brought out very
many crack gentlemen riders within the past
twenty years, some of them quite shining
hghts. Amongst some may be enumerated
his great friend, Captain Tempest, 11th Hus-
sars ; Captain Prichard Eayner, 5th Dragoon
•Guards ; Mr. Laurence, 4th Hussars ; Captain,
now Major, Hutton, 1st Eoyal Dragoons;
Captain Brown, of the Eoyal Horse Artillery,
who unfortunately was killed a few years since
crossing the railway returning from a steeple-
chase meeting held near London ; Captain
Eicardo, 15th Hussars; Lieutenant-Colonel
McCalmont, 7th Hussars ; Captain Soames,
4th Hussars ; and the ever-to-be-regretted
Captain the Hon. Greville Nugent ; and last,
but by no means least, Mr. Thomas Beasley,
besides many others, all these gentlemen,

COKRESPONDENCE. 285

excepting Mr. Laurence, having their first
winning mount on Mr. McDonogh's horses.
As professionals, he brought out Paddy Gavin
and George Gray, the former of whom, when
scarcely more than a child, and weighing but
4st. 71b., rode and won the Prince of Wales'
Steeplechase, at Punchestown, on Blush Eose.
I think I may be permitted to mention two of
Mr. McDonogh's daring feats. When riding
Sailor in a steeplechase, over an awfully severe
country, close to the town of Bandon, Co.
Cork (where started, amongst nine others, the
celebrated horses Monarch and Valentine, the
latter running second, two years later, for
the Liverpool Grand National, and the former
sold soon afterwards to the great Marquis of
Waterford for a large sum, showing that the
company at Bandon was by no means a
contemptible lot), in this race, the distance of
which was 4J miles. Sailor fell four times,
each time unseating his rider ; yet so active
was his pilot in those days that he was as
quickly in the saddle as out of it. At his
fourth and last fall, the horse chested the
bank, flung his rider some distance from him,

286 LADIES ON HOESEBACK.

and having a tight hold of the bridle reins,
the throat-lash gave way, and the bridle came
off the horse's head. As Sailor was getting
on his legs, Mr. McDonogh jumped into the
saddle, and setting his horse going was soon
in pursuit of the leaders. There were in the
IJ miles that had yet to be travelled nearly
ten awkward double-posted fences. The third
last impediment was a narrow lanC' — called in
Irish a ^' boreen " — with an intricate bank
into and out of it. The riders of Valentine
and Monarch had bridles ; consequently they
could steady their horses and jump in and out
" clever." Not so Mr. McDonogh, who had
nothing to guide his horse but his whip.
Steeringthe animal, however, for the ^^boreen,"
he put him at his best pace, and without ever
laying an iron on it, he went from field to
field and landed alongside the leaders. The
riders of the other horses, seeing he had no
power to guide his mount, endeavoured to put
him outside a post that had to be gone round
to make the turn into the straight line for
home; but the young jockey, stretching his
arms almost round his horse's nose, by some

CORRESPONDENCE.

287

means got him straight, and, making the
remainder of the running, won easily. Valen-
tine's rider at the scales ohjected to Sailor for
not having carried a bridle, but Mr. McDonogh
was able to draw the weight, and was declared
the winner amidst the wildest enthusiasm.
The other extraordinary performance occurred
one day on his pet mount, the celebrated
Brunette, at Cashel. When riding Mountain
Hare the previous day over the same course
he was crossed by an old woman at an ugly up
bank. The horse struck the woman in the
chest and very nearly put an end to his rider
also, who, in the fall', got his collar-bone and
six ribs broken. The late Dr. Kussell, of
Cashel, was quickly by his side, and telling the
Marquis of Waterford of the serious injuries
Mr. McDonogh had received, that most noble-
hearted man instantly sent for his carriage,
which, with two post-horses, speedily took the
invahd to the hotel in Cashel. The collar-
bone being set and ribs bandaged, he passed a
miserable night. Brunette was in a race the
next day, and as he would allow no man to
sit on her back, he got out of his bed, mounted

288 LADIES ON HOESEBACK.

the mare, and, bandaged as he was and in
great pain, won the race. Lord Waterford'&
Begalia was second, his lordship jestingly
remarking that if he had known Brunette's
master would have ridden her he would have
left him lying at the bank. In conclusion^
Mr. Editor, permit me to say that we Irish
are charmed with Mrs. O'Donoghue's writings^
as also with your most interesting and beauti-
fully got-up paper.

Yours, &c.

Maurice Lawlob.
Battlemount, Ballytore,
Co. Kildare.

Sir, — Notwithstanding the enterprise of the
large number of ladies who, you say, desire to
ride after the fashion of the Mexican senoras,
I venture to hope that the present custom of
riding in a side-saddle will not be departed
from by ladies, except in case of necessity ;
and I point out that in India, South Africa,
and all the Australian colonies the side-saddle
is always used, though there can be no doubt

COEKESPONDENCE. 239

that if there was any real advantage in the
Mexican style it would be readily adopted in
new countries. Many persons appear to be
quite unaware of what the lady's seat in the
side-saddle should be. I describe it thus :
let a man seat himseK properly in his saddle,
shorten the left stirrup two or three holes,
and then, without moving his body or his left
leg, put his right leg over the horse's wither ;
the man will then be seated on his horse
precisely as a lady should be seated in her
side-saddle. A lady's seat in a side-saddle, of
the size suited to her, is extremely firm ; any
one who has not tried a side-saddle with the
third crutch has no idea of the firm seat that
a lady has. I was quite astonished when I
tried it, and I believe that, after practising
for a day or two to get the balance, I could
ride any horse in a side-saddle that I could
ride at all ; whilst the exploits of ladies
show clearly that a change- of style is not
required for the purpose of obtaining a
more secure seat. One of the greatest diffi-
culties that ladies have to contend with in
this country in learning to ride is that they

19

290 LADIES ON HORSEBACK.

often get such poor instructors. Many oi
those who call themselves riding masters are
little Letter than grooms, and the people who
offer to turn out accomplished horsewomen in
twelve easy lessons for £2 2s. must know that,
except in a few cases of natural special aptitude,
they cannot do much more than teach a lady
how to avoid tumbling too quickly out of the
saddle. On the other hand, a lady who has
heen through a full course of instruction from
a good master, has little to learn except those
matters of detail which experience alone can
teach ; but far better than any professional
instruction is that constant and careful super-
vision from a good horseman, such as Mrs.
Power O'Donoghue and '* The Ladybird"
]nentioned in a late issue, one who will not
be afraid of being called a '' bother " when he
points out and corrects every fault, however
small. I consider, sir, that you have given
good advice to ladies when you say, ** I think
a lady should wear a spur," though she may
not often find it necessary to use it. In your
last issue two experienced ladies give their
opinions on this subject; one disapproves oi

COBEESPONDENCE. 291

the spur, the other says she always wears
one. Everyone will agree with '' The Lady-
bird " that when it is '' dig, dig, dig " all the
time, such use of a spur is improper; for
though a sharp stroke is required sometimes
— ^for instance, Mrs. Power O'Donoghue, when
describing her flight into the farmyard, says :
*' I dug him with my spur " — the proper way
to apply a spur is, in general, as described by
Mrs. Power O'Donoghue in your last issue, by
pressure. The term ^^ box spur " is usually
apphed to spurs that fit into spring boxes or
sockets in the heels of the boots ; a spur with
a spring sheath over the point is. usually
called a ^' sheath spur"; for hunting, any-
thing that will act as a goad will answer the
desired purpose, but for park or road riding
the spur should be one with which a very
slight touch or a sharp stroke can be given,
as may be required. I know that the spur
with a five-pointed rowel is preferred by
ladies who have tried it to any other ; but,
whatever spur is selected, a lady should take
care that the points are long enough to be
effective when the habit intervenes. I think,

19 *

292 LADi::s on hoiiseback.

sir, with yon, that a lady should always wear a
spur ; and I notice in this corres23ondence,
the ladies who denounce the use of a spur
almost invariably say that they have never
tried one ; whilst ladies who have once ex-
perienced the advantage and convenience of
it, never willingly mount a horse without one.
There is not any real mystery about ladies'
riding or ladies' horses ; almost any horse that
will carry a man will carry a woman, and the
latter, when on horseback, ought to be pro-
vided, as nearly as possible, with the same
aids and appliances as are required by the
former. It is not every lady who can indulge
in the luxmy of a three-hundred-guinea saddle-
horse, and the treatment that may answer
with such a horse is not necessarily suited to
an ordinary hack ; yet some of the hand-
somest and most highly- trained ladies' horses
in the Eow are ridden with a spur, and it is
only proper that they should be ; they have
been trained by the professional lady riders
with a spur, and they are accustomed to
receive from a sHght touch of the spur the
indications of the rider's wish ; whilst as to

COERESPONDENCE. 293

the common livery-stable hacks, it is often
painful to ride them until they feel that you
;are provided with spurs, when their whole
nature appears to change, and you can enjoy
a tolerably pleasant ride. '' The Ladybird "
;says she was taught '^that a horse can do
no wrong." As a matter of theory the idea
is a very pretty one, but I can only say, as a
simple matter of fact, that I have often
known a horse exhibit a very large amount of
what the late Mr. Artemus Ward called
^' cussedness " ; and I know of nothing that,
when a horse is in that frame of mind, will
bring him to his senses so quickly, so effec-
tually, and with so much convenience to the
rider, as a sharp spur. In far-off lands, I was
once nearly two hours doing a distance of
some seven miles on a new purchase. I was
then without spurs ; but the next day, when
I was provided with them, the same animal
did the same distance easily and pleasantly in
about forty minutes. I very much dishke to
see a lady use a whip to her horse : and, as I
have always proved spurs to be a great con-
venience, I recommeud a lady to wear one,

294 LADIES ON HORSEBACK.

and to use it when necessary in preference to

the whip.

I am, &G.

SouTHEEN Cross.
December, 1880.

Sir, — Since I have come to London I have
been asked so many questions respecting the
reason why ladies so offcen *'pull their horses,"
that I feel I may accomphsh some good by
answering, or may at least assist in doing
away with a very crying evil. My opinion is
that there is usually but one reason, viz.
because the horses pull them ; but for a
woman to pull against a pulling horse only
increases the evil. It is a fallacy, and can
never accomplish the desired end. A deter-
mined puller cannot, under any circumstances^
be suitable to a lady, and should never be
ridden by one, unless she be a sufficiently
good rider and have sufficiently good hands
to make the horse's mouth, which is not the
case with one woman in five hundred, or, I
might almost say, one man either. Horses
that pull have been almost invariably spoilt

CORRESPONDENCE. 295

in the training. Occasionally a line-mouthed
aniraal will be ruined by an ingnorant or cruel
rider, but I must say, in justice to my sex,
that they are seldom guilty of doing it. The
fault lies amongst men. Many women are
mnorant riders : but, thank God ! the blot of
cruelty rarely defaces their name. Women
are naturally gentle, kindly, and — covanlhj ;
three things calculated not to injure a horse,
ex'-ept it be the latter, which enables him to
discover that he can be master if he p]o:ise.
Doubtless there are cruel women, also, who
cut and lash, and tug and spur, and treat
heaven's noble gifts as though they were mere
machinery, and not flesh and blood like our-
selves; but how often shall I say, in answer
to the numerous cases cited to me, that in
writing upon this or any other subject I speak
of the rule, not of the isolated exceptions.
When a man begins to break a horse he
regularly prepares for combat. He sets him-
self to work with a resolute determination
to fight and be fought, as though he had a
strong rebellious spirit to deal with and
conquer, instead of a loving, kindly, timid

296 LADIES ON HOnSEBACK.

nature, whicli needs nought save gentleness
to make it amenable to even the rudest hand.
The man begins by pulHng ; the horse, on
the schoolboy ^' tit for tat " principle, pulls
against him in return; is sold before his
education (bad as it has been) is haK com-
pleted ; is ridden out to exercise by grooms
with heavy iron hands ; is handed over to the
riding-school and to carry young ladies when
every bit of spirit has been knocked out of
him, except the determined one of pulling —
pulls resolutely against the feeble hands
striving to control him ; is pulled and
strained at in return, and becomes in time
a confirmed and unmanageable brute. I wish
1 could persuade ladies not to pull their horses.
In a former number I endeavoured to tell
them the proper method of managing or
dealing with a pulling animal : neither to
drop their hands to him, nor to pull one
ounce against him. He will be certain after
a few strides to yield a bit, w^ien the hands —
hitherto firm, should immediately yield to
him, thus estabhshing a sort of give and take
principle, which will soon be perfectly under-

COERESPONDENCE. 297

stood by the intelligent creature under control.
We do not half appreciate our horses. Every
touch of our fingers, every word we utter,
every glance from our eye is noted by the
horse, and is valued or resented as it deserves.
So many animals are made unruly by the
undue use of a severe curb that I strongly
advise a trial of the snafide only, holding the
curb-rein loosely over the httle finger, so that
it may be in an instant taken up in case it
prove necessary, which, in my opinion, it
rarely will. To illustrate my meaning, on
Monday last I rode a mare for a lady, who
was very desirous of ascertaining whether
the animal was capable of carrying a lady
with safety. The groom, who was to accom-
pany me, was evidently extremely nervous.
He told me, as we started, that the mare
had never done any saddle work, except with
a very wild young gentleman-rider, who Lad
bitted her severely, and yet found her diffi-
cult to manage ; and he implored me earnestly
to keep a good hold of the curb. I found
that she hung desperately upon her bridle,
kept her head between her knees with a

298 LADIES ON HOESEBACK,

strong, determined, heavy pull upon the bit^
and rough, jerky action, which was most
unpleasant. When I got her into the Eow
she nearly pulled my arms out in her canter
— the tug she had upon the bridle was quite
terrific ; and, evidently prepared for the ac-
customed fight, she put back her ears and
shook her wicked head angrily. I rode her
from Palace Gate to Hyde Park Corner in
the same manner as I have sought to impress
upon my lady readers — namely, not pulling
one atom against her, but keeping my hands
low and firm, and yielding slightly to her in
her stride. By the time we had turned at
the Corner she had quite given up fighting,
I then dropped the curb, and rode her en-
tirely upon the snaffle. The effect was
magical. She lifted her head, ceased pulling
altogether, and went along in a pleasant
joyous canter, going well up to her bridle,
but not attempting any liberties whatever.
In an hour's time, as you, sir, who were
riding with me will bear testimony, I was
holding her with one hand, stooping forward,
and making much of her with the other,.

COEEESPONDENCE. 299

an attention wMcti she evidently regarded as
a pleasing novelty, and highly appreciated.
Finding her shghtly untractable during the ride
homeward I once more lightly took up the curb.
It maddened her in a moment. She turned
round and round, ran me against a cart, and
behaved so excitedly that it required my best
skill, confidence, and temper to restore her
equanimity and steer her safely (using the
snaffle only) to her destination. On dis-
mounting I observed to the groom that
considering the amount of exercise and ex-
citement through which she had passed, it
was wonderful she had not sweated. His
answer was that she was always fed upon
cooked food, and that the chief sustenance of
the horse which he himself was riding — a
remarkably fine three-year-old — was boiled bar-
ley. I have never, myself, tried this feeding,
but if looks and condition may be regarded
as recommendation, it must be most excellent.
I am. Sir,

Yours obediently,

Nannie Powee O'Donoghue

300

LADIES ON HORSEBACK.

Sir, — I have been very greatly interested by
the remarks on saddles, spurs, &c., made by

your lady correspondents. My husband is a
large ranchero, or cattle-farmer, on the Rio

COREESPONDENCE. 301

Grande, between Mexico and Texas, and
naturally I have had much experience of hard
as well as long-distance riding. Having been
accustomed to hunting when I was a girl, I
came out here with an exaggerated idea of my
skill in horsemanship. My first ride in Mexico
"was one of three hundred miles, which we did
in seven days ; I rode on an Enghsh hunting-
saddle almost, if not quite, as '' straight as a
board." After the second day I found it as
uncomfortable a seat as could be desired, and
was glad to change it for the peon's ordinary
Mexican saddle, which I found perfectly easy
and comparatively comfortable to my English
one. This last I have found exceedingly
fatiguing and ill-adapted to a long journey,
although very good for a few hours' ride after
wild cattle, which is a certain approach to
hunting, although the jumping is not stiff.
Lately I had another saddle sent out fi'om
England, which was a little deeper, and I
find it much more useful for long distances.
As ladies are not in the habit of riding
steeplechases, I would venture to suggest that,
for hard riding, such as hunting, the saddle

302 LAMES ON HORSEBACK.

might rather be heavier than lighter, as I am
sure that this must give more relief to the
horse's back. In fact, I believe that the sore
backs so often produced by ladies' saddles are
more frequently caused by the saddle being too
light than too heavy. I quite agree with
some of your correspondents that the padded
stirrup is most dangerous, as it is not easy to
get the foot out quickly if anything should
happen.

The principle, as stated by the Mexicans,
of striking a horse between the ears is not to
bring him down by fright, but to bring him
down by force, so as to ^^stun" him. Now,
do you think that any of your fair correspon-
dents could accomplish this with a light park
or hunting-whip ? I may be very bold to
offer any suggestions, but the lady's side-
saddle of the nineteenth century is very far
from being pleasant. Why should not ladies
in this age of progression begin to ride on
saddles shaped hke a man's, with the same seat
a man uses ? It would be much more comfort-
able, as even a stout lady could not look
much more ungraceful than she does now,

COEEESPONDENCE. 303

besides materially lessening the danger. 1
send you a sketch of a Mexican saddle.

I am, &c.
Campesina.
San Antonio de Bexar, Texas, U.S.A.

P.S. — I would not like you to imagine that

I intend to slight such an admirable authority

as Mrs. Power O'Donoghue, but I should be

much obHged to any of your correspondents

for the design of an improved saddle, suitable

alike for riding a young nervous horse and for

journey purposes. I have a design for such a

saddle, but I do not know how far it may be

practicable. I think if ladies would give their

ideas upon this subject through the medium

of your columns, some real improvement

might be arrived at.

C.

Sir, — ^In your issue of the 27th November
my letter appeared, recommending that the
use of side-saddles should be discontinued.
Your correspondent, *^ Jack Spur," mentions,

304 LADIES ON HORSEBACK.

in a letter published on the 13th November^
that in some works concerning the Sandwich
Islands, in the Northern Pacific Ocean, and
the Eocky Mountains, North America, the
authoress, Miss Isabella L. Bird, states that
she was acc.^jtomed, while there, to ride on
horseback astride.

A few extracts from her above-mentioned
writings will probably interest your readers.
When in Hawaii, or Owyhee, one of the Sand-
wich Islands, the authoress referred to accom-
panied some friends on horseback to the
Anuenue FaUs on the Wailuku river (a
river which forms a boundary between two
great volcanoes), and on that occasion used
a side-saddle, but was afterwards advised by
one of the party to follow the native fashion
of riding astride. Having acted upon this
advice, she was well satisfied with the result
of the trial, and continued to adopt that
style while in the Sandwich Islands, and
also in the Eocky Mountains, where she
remained nearly four months. The following
extract from a letter written by her about
the 28th of January, from Hilo, Hawaii, and

CORRESPONDENCE. 305

pablished in The Hawaiian Archipelago : Six
Months in the Sandwich Islands, 1875, page 66,
gives further particulars of her visit to the
Anuenue Falls, above referred to : —

*' Everything was new and interesting, but
the ride was spoiled by my insecure seat in
my saddle, and the increased pain in my spine
which riding produced. Once, in crossing a
stream, the horses had to make a sort of
downward jump from a rock, and I shpped
round my horse's neck ; indeed, on the way
back I felt that on the ground of health I
must give up the volcano, as I would never
consent to be carried to it, like Lady Franklin,
in a htter. When we returned, Mr. Severance
suggested that it would be much better for
me to follow the Hawaiian fashion, and ride
astride, and put his saddle on the horse. It
was only my strong desire to see the volcano
which made me consent to a mode of riding
against which I have so strong a prejudice ;
but the result of the experiment is that I shall
visit Kilanea thus or not at aU. The native
women all ride astride on ordinary occasions
in the full sacks, or holukus, and on gala days

20

306 LADIES ON HORSEBACK.

in the pan, the gay winged dress which I
described in writing from Honolulu. A great
many of the foreign ladies in Hawaii have
adopted the Mexican saddle also " (this means
that they ride astride) ^* for greater security
to themselves and ease to their horses on
the steep and perilous bridle-tracks, but they
wear full Turkish trousers, and jauntily-made
dresses reaching to the ankles."

After leaving the Sandwich Islands she
went to the Eocky Mountains, and in a letter
dated the 23rd of October, and published in
A Lady's Life in the Rochy Mountains, 1879, she
writes from the Colorado District, North
America : —

** I rode sidewise till I was well through
the town, long enough to produce a severe
pain in my spine, which was not relieved for
some time even after I had changed my
position. It was a lovely Indian summer day,
so warm that the snow on the ground looked
an incongruity."

From the fact that many ladies, when in
tne Sandwich Islands, ride astride, and that
Miss Bird found this position preferable in

COKRESPONDENCE. 307

many respects to that which a side-saddle
obliges the rider to take, I infer that ladies in
England would be pleased if a change in the
mode of riding were introduced.

Proprietors of circuses will perhaps permit
me to offer for their consideration that by
allowing this mode of riding to form a part of
some of the circus performances, they might
do a great deal towards causing it to be
recognised by the public as the correct style,
and that one great obstacle in the way of its
being generally adopted by horsewomen would
then be removed.

I wish also to suggest that it should be

taught at several riding-schools, so that a

large number of pupils may commence at the

same time.

I am, Sir,

Your obedient servant,

X. Y. Z

20

808 LADIES ON HORSEBACK.

Sir, — The letters of your correspondent, Mrs.
Power O'Donoghue, are very instructive and
trustworthy, because founded upon practical
experience. In her letter of last week she
recommends the feeding of hunters upon
cooked food. This to many sportsmen will be
a new theory ; not so to me, and I wish to
confirm her views, but I carry them out in a
more economical way. My establishment is
but a small one. I cannot afford space or
attendance for a cooking-house, but I beheve
I arrive at the same results as she does, by
steeping my oats in cold water for a given
number of hours, and adding a pound of
Indian meal, with a handful of chopped hay
and oaten straw to each feed three times a
day. My horses have a constant supply of
water in a manger in a convenient corner of
their stables. I believe horses fed upon dry
oats and hay suffer much from thirst. I
observe my horses take many sups of water
through the day, but take much less on the
whole than when watered upon the old practice
twice daily. Practically, I find my horses
very healthy, strong, and endming, and I

CORRESPONDENCE. 809

would freely recommend the adoption of this
mode of feeding hunters to my sporting
friends.

Farmer.

Sir, — I am still so inundated with corres-
pondence— many writers asking me precisely
the same questions — that I shall regard it as a
favour if you will again allow me to answer a
few of them through the medium of your paper.

Conn. Dashpur. — You and your horse were
immersed in the river, simply because you did
not give him sufficient head-room to enable
him to take the jump with safety. In coming
up to a wide stretch of water you should
always leave your mount abundant oppor-
tunity to extend his head and neck, nor should
you wait to do this until you are just on the
brink, — it will then, most likely, be too late
to save you and him a wetting. A horse
stretches his neck coming up to a water-jump,
partly that he may see well what is before
him, and partly because his iutelhgence tells
him that he cannot compass it if tightly
Teined in. Leave him his head, and if he ic a

310 LADIES ON HORSEBACK.

hunter worth riding he will calculate his dis^
tance and bear you safely over. At the same
time you must remember to give him suffi-
cient support when he lands, or he may peck,,
or roll, and give you an ugly fall. A horse is
much more liable to come down over a water-
jump than at a fence, for the swinging pace at
which you must necessarily send him at it
— combined with the absolute necessity for
leaving him complete freedom of his head —
forbids that ** steadying " process, which, at
the hands of an accomplished rider, usually
ensures safety over wall or ditch. Questions
similar to yours have been asked me by H.
Cadlicott, Maukice Hone, and Guy. In
answering one, therefore, I reply to each.

Ellice Geeenway. — Your MS. never reached
me ; you must have misdirected it, — but in
any case I could not have been of service to
you, as I have no time for revising other
people's work, nor would my recommenda-
tion carry any weight. Pubhshers judge for
themselves. Your papers must go in on their
merits, and be accepted or rejected accordingly.
I quite agree with you that declined MSS^

CORRESPONDENCE. 311

should — when accompanied by a stamped
and addressed envelope — be returned to the
sender with the least possible delay. No
matter how great or hurried may be the
business of an office, there is in reality no
excuse for inattention to this rule. The very
best and busiest of the weekly journals comply
with it, and persons who do not want to be
treated with snobbish indifference had better
not write for any other. Perhaps if you call^
or send a line privately to the Editor, you
may succeed in getting back your work ; but
do not be expectant.

King Lear. — The horse you name attained
his victory in 1878. He carried 12 st. 7 lbs.

G. Hunt. — Beauparc ; but he did not win.

P. Eyall.— At Thirsk. He feU at the
second obstacle, and although speedily re-
mounted, his chance was extinguished. Pin-
nace ran well, and was in great form. His
defeat was a surprise, but your informant has
not given you rehable details.

James. — Read Silk and Scarlet, one of the
" Druid '* series. Thanks for too flattering
opinion.

312 LADIES ON HOESEBACK.

FoEDHAM. — The course is a most trying one,
and the feat was one never before atteiTiptedj
by a lady. I did it to show that my horse was!
capable of accomplishing the task, and the
risk was not what you describe it, for he was
too clever to put a foot astray. Major Stone
of the 80th accompanied me, and gave me a
good lead. The only time I passed him was
when his horse refused at an ugly post and
rail. It is not true that he was thrown. He
rode splendidly, managing a difficult horse.
There was no ** crowd," and in short it is
evident that you have received an exaggerated
account of the affair.

J. Dunne. — He won at Newcastle in 1879.

Collins W. — She was, in my opinion,
unfairly handicapped, and the verdict was
general respecting the matter.

Douglas. — The horse was not shot for
five hours after, and lay quivering all that
time. The owner was absent, and four of
us galloped in search of him. Nobody was
to blame. Mr. W. B. Morris, 7th Hussars,
was the rider, and no better ever wore
silk.

COREESPONDENCE. 313

MoNTAUBAN. — I havG already detailed at
some length my objections to children riding
before they have strength and judgment suffi-
ficient to enable them to manage a horse.
Moreover, if a child — say a little girl — gets a
severe fall, the shock to her nervous system
is most likely to be a lasting one, and in some
cases is never got over ; whereas grown girls
are less hable to fall, if they have any sort of
fair teaching, and certainly have stronger
nerves and firmer resolution to enable them
to bear the casualties attendant upon the
practice of the art.

Curious. — Griffin and Hawkes, of Birming-
ham, by the burning of whose premises some
of my most valued MSS. were lost.

Jessica. — It is quite untrue. Her Imperial
Majesty dresses and mounts in ordinary
fashion. There is not one word of truth in
the widely-circulated statement that her habit
is buttoned on after she has mounted, nor is
her jacket ever made '' tight." It is close-
fitting and beautifully adapted to her figure,
but sufficiently large to leave her abundant
room to move in. The Empress despises

314 LADIES ON HOESEBACK.

tight stays, gloves, and boots. Her waist is^
small, but not wasp-like. The absurd an-
nouncement that it measured but twelve
inches (recently pubhshed in one of the
weekly journals) is as false as it is foolish.
Nobody could exist with such a deformity.
The Empress takes morning exercise upon a
trapeze. Her hair is dark, shaded to gold-
colour, like a wood in autumn. The report
that she dyes it is one of the many calumnies
of which she is the subject, but which happily
cannot harm her. She is not affable; her
manner is stately in the extreme, to all except
thobe with whom she desires to converse.
She speaks fair but not fluent English. This
reply to Jessica is also for Feank Kuetz, Amy
EoBSAET, and Alicia Bond.

Julius. — It was not I who wrote it. I got
the credit of it, but did not covet the dis-
tinction.

Geoege K. — Nobody assists me. Of course
you mean as an amanuensis : otherwise your
question would be an offence. I write my
thoughts in short-hand, and copy at leisure
for the press. My time for writing is when.

CORRESPONDENCE. 315-

the honse is quiet,— generaUy from 10 p.m. to
2 or 3 in the morning. I have answered
you— but against my will, as I much dishke
personal questions. Were I to reply to such
in general, my entire life would be laid bare
to the eyes of a disinterested pubhc, in order
to gratify a few persons, who have no motive
save one of idle curiosity.

T. Ckmo^.— Grandfathers Hunter is sold out.
Horses and Horsemen is to be had, but its price
puts it beyond the pale of ordinary purchasers.
Try Bumpus, or Mudie.

Oxonian.— Yon are wrong,— nor have I
asked your opinion. It is easier to criticise
than to write. Having done the former, pray
do the latter, and submit to others' criticism.
Marcia Flood.— Two yards round the hem
is amply sufficient width. I consider the
price you name quite exorbitant. Try one
of those mentioned by me in my chapter
upon riding-gear.

Thanking you, Sir, for your kindness m
granting me so much of your valuable space.
I am, yours obediently,

Nannie Power O'Donoghue.

316 LADIES ON HORSEBACK.

Sir, — In a recent edition "Jack Spur"
Rsks if it is usual in any country for ladies to
ride a la Duchess de Berri, ix. as a gentleman,
astride. In Mexico and the States of the
River Plate this is the usual mount of the
fair ones of the district, and, clad in loose
Turkish pantalettes tucked into the riding-
boots of soft yellow leather, a loose sort of
'tunic secured by a belt, and wearing the ladies^
** sombrero," very charming these fair eques-
triennes look, and splendid horsewomen they
are. Talk of ladies, your ** Fair Play " should
see the long, sharp, Mexican spurs attached to
the heels of these fair prairie -rangers, and
witness how unsparingly they are used.
Sometimes I, who am no namby-pamby rider,
and have seen my share of rough work, have
ventured to remonstrate in a half-jocular
manner (as became a stranger and foreigner)
when riding along with a Mexican lady, who
generally keeps her steed at a full gallop by
the remorseless application of these instru-
ments of punishment. But the reply was
merely a silvery laugh, and ** Ah, senor, here
horses are cheap, and when one is finished we

CORRESPONDENCE. 317

have plenty more for the catching. Come
along!" My experience of ladies on horse-
back as a rule is that they are more severe
than men ; perhaps it is thoughtlessness, but
certainly for hard riding and severe spurring I
have never seen any to surpass a Mexican
senora, whose favourite pace is a stretching
gallop without cessation, until her steed is
perfectly pumped out, and as horsellesh is of no
value whatever, and no Society for the Preven-
tion of Cruelty to Animals exists, I am afraid
I must record a verdict of cruelty against some
of the most charming women I ever met.
To their fellow mortals all kindness and good-
ness, but when mounted on their mustang
they seem to forget that he can feel either
fatigue or pain. Certainly the temptation is
great. A horse is of no value ; you seldom
mount the same twice on a journey, and across
the beautiful prairies a wild gallop is the pace.
But I should be sorry to see an English lady
dismount from her steed, leaving him utterly
exhausted and pumped out, and his flanks
streaming with blood from deep spur-strokes.
This I have too often seen in South America.

318 LADIES ON HOBSEBACK.

Everyone does it, and it is little thonght of ;
but by all means let us cherish a better feeling,
and not give any needless pain to that noble
animal, the horse. Let the ladies avoid the
use of sharp spurs; most horses ridden by
ladies here are perfectly amenable to the whip
and rein, and the use of the spur is somewhat
inharmonious with the gentle character of our
Enghsh women.

GUACHO.

St. Leonards, 1880.

" The correspondence upon this subject, called forth by
Mrs. Power O'Donogliue's admirable papers 'Ladies on
Horseback,' has been so voluminous, and appears likely to
go on for such a lengthened period, that I am reluctantly
obliged to bring it to a close, in order to make space for
other matter." — Ed. lUustrated ^Sporting and Dramatic Xews.

London : Printed by W. H. AUen & Co., 13, Waterloo Place, S.W

WOKKS PUBLISHED

BZ

W. H. ALLEN & CO.

HOW TO EIDE AND SCHOOL A HORSE,

With a System of Horse Gymnastics. By Edwabd L.
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MAYHEW (EDWAED) ILLUSTEATED

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Contents. — The Brain and Nervous System. — The
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Field.

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the drawings show the horse not only suffering from every kind of
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MAYHEW (EDWAKD) ILLUSTRATED-

HOESE MANAGEMENT. — Containing descriptive
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engravings from original designs made expressly for this
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Contents. — The body of the horse anatomically
considered. Physic. — The mode of administering it,
and minor operations. Shoeing. — Its origin, its uses,
and its varieties. The Teeth. — Their natural growth,
and the abuses to which they are liable. Food. — The
fittest time for feeding, and the kind of food which the
horse naturally consumes. The evils which are
occasioned by modern stables. The faults inseparable
from stables. The so-called " incapacitating vices,"
which are the results of injury or of disease. Stables
as they should be. Grooms. — Their prejudices, their
injuries, and their duties. Points. — Their relative im-
portance, and where to look for their development.
Breeding. — Its inconsistencies and its disappointments.
Breaking and Training. — Their errors and their results.

DAUMAS (E.) HORSES OF THE

SAHARA, AND THE MANNERS OF THE DESERT.
By E. Daumas, General of the Division Commanding
at Bordeaux, Senator, &c. &c. With Commentsjies by
the Emir Abd-el-Kadir (Authorized Edition). 8vo. 6s.

" We have rarely read a work giving a more picturesque
and, at the same time, practical account of the manners and
customs of a people, than this bookonthe Arabs and their horses."
— Edinburgh C our ant.

THURSTON & CO.

BILLIARD
TABLE

MANUFACTUREBS.

LAMP MAKERS AMD CAS FITTERS.

BY APPOINTMENT TO HER 2IAJE8TY THE QUEEN, AND HER
ROYAL HIGHNESS THE PRINCESS OF WALES.

ESTABLISHED A.D. 1814.

16, CATHERINE STREET, STRAND, LONDON.

PRIZE MEDAL, SYDNEY, 1879, FIRST AWARD.

S.& H.HARRIS'S

57, MANSELL STREET, E.,

Ebonite Waterproof Blacking

FOE HUNTING OR WALKING BOOTS.

REaUIEES NO BRUSHING.

HARNESS COMPOSITION

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SADDLE PASTE

(Waterproof).

JET BLACK OIL,

For Harness.

BLACK DYE, FOR STAINING HARNESS,

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WATERPROOF DUBBIN,

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BREECHES POWDER,

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POLISHING PASTE,

For Cleaning Metals and Glass.

S. & H. HARRIS,

57, MANSELL STREET, E.

KJ •-» v^ y.t ■' ' y

H. PEAT & CO.,

173, PICCADILLY,

r.o^jDo^, "vv..

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MAKERS

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W^t Prmcr of 25a^alcs5, X\^t Outtc of iEtrmtJuvsJ),

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for the Colonies,