The ladies' horse.
--
Col. Harris, of the
Ohio Field Notes, an acknowledged authority on the subject, writes as follows in regard to the best kind of a horse for a lady, his management.
etc.:
The bridle of a lady's horse should be a single rein curb — never a snaffle to be pulled upon — requiring the strength of a thread only to guide and direct the animal, and drawn only when the horse is required to be stopped; at all times to be kept slightly in hand, or be permitted to lie gently on the arched neck of the beautiful creature, permitting him to look abroad upon things, and see the road he is traveling; starting with a bound into a graceful canter at the leaning forward of the rider without the use of the whip or other incentive.
We had supposed a double bridle was preferable — that is, a curb and snaffle, either of which could be used as occasion required.--The majority of English ladies use such a bridle.
The paces of a lady's horse should be long rather than short, that the rider may bend gracefully forward, and not be jerked backward at every step in the most vulgar manner imaginable.
A lady-equestrian must never appear in a hurry; it is unbecoming and ungenteel, and many instances are on record showing that a horse knows a gentleman or a lady at sight, as well as most of us.
An English lady of rank and wealth, now in
Egypt, writes home as follows:
‘
I fear you may deem me rather boastful of my horsemanship when I tell you that two Arab horses which threw their cavaliers did not throw me. The same, however, was not in my skill, but in the very remarkable predilection which these intelligent animals feel towards the weaker sex. Let the wildest and fiercest Arabian be mounted by a woman, and you will see him suddenly grow mild and gentle as a lamb.
’
I have had plenty of opportunities to make the experiment, and in my own stable there is a beautiful gray Arab, which nobody but myself dares ride.
He knows me, anticipates my wishes, and judiciously calculates the degree of fatigue I can bear without inconvenience.
It is curious to see how he manages to quicken his pace without shaking me, and the different sorts of steps he has invented to remedy contradictory purposes.
Horses being as liable to forgetfulness as other organized beings, my incomparable gray would allow his natural ambition to overcome his gallantry, and if another horse happened to pass him, would start off with the speed of a whirlwind.
Woe to me, if under such circumstances, I were to trust to the strength of my arm, or the power of the bridle ! I know the gallant charger better.
Leaving my hand loose, and abandoning all thoughts of compulsion, I would take to persuasion — pat him on the neck, call him by his name, beg him to be quiet and deserve the piece of sugar waiting for him at home.
Never did these gentle means fail.
Instantly would he slacken his neck, prick up his ears as if fully comprehending his error, and come back to a soft amble, gently neighing, as if to crave pardon for his momentary offence.
