The crying fault with nearly all those who have handled this subject at length has been that of distracting the uninformed reader by the most elaborate dissertation on all points down to the smallest details.
This author, on the contrary, has shorn the instruction of all hazy intricacies, with which the equestrienne has so often been asked to burden herself, and brought out instead only those points essential to safety, skill, and grace in the saddle.
No space has been wasted on unnecessary technicalities which the woman is not likely to either understand or care to digest, but everything has been written with a view of aiding her in obtaining a sound, practical knowledge of the horse, under the saddle and in harness.
CONTENTS
| [CHAPTER I] | |
| A Word to Parents | Page 3 |
| Dangers of Early Riding, 4.—Vanity, 9. | |
| [CHAPTER II] | |
| Girls on Horseback | 13 |
| Hints to Mothers, 13.—The Beginner's Horse,14.—Costuming, 16.—PreparatoryLessons, 16.—Instructors, 20.—Balance, 21.—Hands,23.—Position, 25.—Management, 26. | |
| [CHAPTER III] | |
| Beginning to Ride | 31 |
| Form, 32.—Insufficient Training, 33.—Mounting,34.—Dismounting, 37.—Stirrup, 38. | |
| [CHAPTER IV] | |
| In the Saddle | 43 |
| Below the Waist, 44.—Above the Waist, 48.—Handsand Wrists, 49.—Reins, 53. | |
| [CHAPTER V] | |
| Emergencies | 63 |
| Eagerness to Start, 63.—Shyers, 65.—Stumblers,66.—Rearers, 66.—Plungers, 67.—Buckers,68.—Pullers, 70.—Runaways, 72.—Punishment, 76. | |
| [CHAPTER VI] | |
| Choosing a Mount | 83 |
| An Adviser, 83.—Park Hack, 87.—Measurement,88.—Conformation, 90.—Hunter, 94.—Gaitand Manners, 95. | |
| [CHAPTER VII] | |
| Dress | 99 |
| Skirt, 100.—Safety Skirt, 100.—DividedSkirt, 102.—Bodice, 103.—Waistcoat, 104.—Corsets,105.—Boots, Breeches, Tights, 106.—Collars and Cuffs,110.—Gloves, 111.—Hair and Hat, 112.—Veil,113.—Whip or Crop, 113.—Spur, 114. | |
| [CHAPTER VIII] | |
| Leaping | 121 |
| Requirements, 121.—In the Ring, 122.—ApproachingJump, 122.—Taking off, 124.—Landing, 125.—Lifting,126.—Out-of-Doors,127.—Pilot, 128.—Selecting a Panel,128.—Stone Wall, 130.—In Hand, 131.—TrappyGround and Drops, 131.—In and Out, 133.—Picket andSlat Fences, 134.—Wire, 135.—Combined Obstacles,136.—Refusing, 136.—Timidity, 137.—Temper,138.—Rider at Fault, 139. | |
| [CHAPTER IX] | |
| Leaping (continued) | 145 |
| Rushers, 145.—Balkers, 147.—Sluggards,149.—Falls, 150. | |
| [CHAPTER X] | |
| Riding to Hounds | 159 |
| Courtesy, 159.—The Novice, 161.—HardRiding, 162.—Jealous Riding, 163.—DesirableQualities, 164.—Getting Away, 165.—Indecision,166.—Right of Way, 167.—Funk,168.—Excitable and Sluggish Horses,169.—Proximity to Hounds, 170.—Choosing a Line, 172. | |
| [CHAPTER XI] | |
| Sympathy between Horse and Woman | 179 |
| Talking to Horse, 180.—In the Stall, 183.—Onthe Road, 185.—Cautions, 187. | |
| [CHAPTER XII] | |
| Practical Knowledge of the Stable | 193 |
| Stabling, 193.—Picking up Feet, 194.—Grooming,197.—Bitting, 197.—Clipping, 199.—Bridling,200.—Noseband, 202.—Martingale, 203.—Breast-plate,204.—The Saddle, 205.—Stirrup, 208.—Girths,209.—Saddling, 210. | |
| [CHAPTER XIII] | |
| Something on Driving | 215 |
| Desirability of Instruction, 215.—VulgarDisplay, 218.—Bad Form, 219.—Costume, 220.—Cockade,221.—Confidence, 222.—The Family-Horse Fallacy,222.—On the Box, 223.—Position of Reins, 224.—HandlingReins, 225.—A Pair, 226. | |
| [CHAPTER XIV] | |
| Something more on Driving | 231 |
| Management, 231.—Stumbling, 232.—Backing,232.—Rearing and Kicking, 234.—Rein under Tail,236.—Bolting and Running, 238.—Crowded Driveways,239.—Road Courtesy, 241.—Tandems and Teams,243.—Reins, 244.—Unruly Leader, 245.—Turning, 246. | |
Illustrations
| Correct Position | Facing p. | [24] |
| Incorrect Position | " | [26] |
| Incorrect Left Leg and Heel | [43] | |
| Correct Left Leg and Heel | [44] | |
| Incorrect Right Thigh and Knee | [46] | |
| Correct Right Thigh and Knee | [47] | |
| Correct Knuckles, Side View | [50] | |
| Incorrect Position of Hands | [51] | |
| Hands in Good Form, Front View | [52] | |
| Snaffle Outside, Curb Inside, Front View | [54] | |
| Snaffle Outside, Curb Inside, Side View | [55] | |
| Reins in Two Hands, Snaffle Outside, Curb Inside | Facing p. | [56] |
| Position of Reins and Hands in Jumping, Curb Outside, Snaffle Inside | [57] | |
| Reins in Two Hands, Curb Outside, Snaffle Inside, Side View | [58] | |
| Hands and Seat in Rearing | Facing p. | [66] |
| Crop | [114] | |
| A Good Spur | [115] | |
| Taking Off | Facing p. | [124] |
| About to Land | " | [126] |
| Double Bridle for General Use | " | [202] |
| Correct Saddle | [205] | |
| Undesirable Saddle | [206] | |
| Safety Stirrup, Closed | [209] | |
| Safety Stirrup, Open | [210] | |
| A Well-balanced Cart | Facing p. | [220] |
| Position in Tandem Driving | " | [244] |