Chapter I: Preface

The first edition of this book was the result of seven years' experience of riding hundreds of horses in India, Ceylon, Egypt, China and South Africa; the most trying animals being those of which I was the rough-rider at my husband's horse-breaking classes. Since that edition came out, I have hunted a good deal, chiefly, in Leicestershire and Cheshire, and have taught many pupils, both of which experiences were of special advantage to me in preparing this new edition; because English ladies regard riding, principally, from a hunting point of view, and the best way to supplement one's education, is to try to teach.

The directions about side-saddles and seat are the outcome of practical work and fortunate opportunities; and I hope they will be as useful to my readers as they have been to my pupils. Although I have ridden, when abroad, some of the worst buckjumpers that could be found in any country, I have never "cut a voluntary," thanks to the adoption of a seat and saddle which gave the necessary grip. Of course I have had "purls," when horses have "come down" with me out hunting; and on one occasion in China, when a horse which I mounted for the first time, reared and came over.

I have taken Figs. 32 to 51, 71 to 78 and Fig. 90 from _Riding and Hunting_, and Figs. 147 and 148 from _Points of the Horse_. My husband has written Chapter XXII.

I have omitted the chapter on my _Riding Experiences_, as I thought it out of place in a purely teaching book.

Knowing the immense value of photographs in explaining technical subjects, I have gladly availed myself of the expert help of my husband and son in that form of illustration.

I am greatly obliged to Miss Harding, Miss Burnaby, Miss Neil, the Rev. G. Broke, the Rev. R. J. Gornall, Mr. Clarence Hailey of Newmarket, the Editor of _Country Life_ and the Editor of _The Queen_, for the admirable photographs and blocks they most kindly lent me. I regret that I inadvertently omitted to place the names of Mr. Clarence Hailey and the Gresham Studio, Adelaide, South Australia, under the excellent photographs which are respectively reproduced in Figs. 2 and 3.

This edition is practically a new book.

_Yew Tree House,
Crick, Rugby,
25th March, 1903._

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER I.
BEGINNING TO RIDE 1 to 7

CHAPTER II.
HORSES FOR LADIES 8 to 24

CHAPTER III.
SIDE-SADDLES 25 to 69

CHAPTER IV.
BRIDLES 70 to 88

CHAPTER V.
RIDING DRESS 89 to 124

CHAPTER VI.
MOUNTING AND DISMOUNTING 125 to 135

CHAPTER VII.
HOW TO HOLD THE REINS 136 to 144

CHAPTER VIII.
THE SEAT 145 to 159

CHAPTER IX.
HANDS, VOICE, WHIP AND SPUR 160 to 184

CHAPTER X.
FIRST LESSONS IN RIDING 185 to 218

CHAPTER XI.
RIDING ACROSS COUNTRY 219 to 226

CHAPTER XII.
HACKING 227 to 232

CHAPTER XIII.
RIDING WITHOUT REINS 233 to 243

CHAPTER XIV.
NERVE 244 to 247

CHAPTER XV.
FENCES, COUNTRY AND GATES 248 to 303

CHAPTER XVI.
HUNTING 304 to 380

CHAPTER XVII.
RIDING AND HUNTING ABROAD 381 to 393

CHAPTER XVIII.
WALKING FOXHOUND PUPPIES 394 to 413

CHAPTER XIX.
KINDNESS TO HORSES 414 to 425

CHAPTER XX.
CROSS-SADDLE RIDING FOR LADIES 426 to 430

CHAPTER XXI.
RIDING DIFFICULT HORSES 431 to 464