Although the lady usually has a horse selected for her, by some
gentleman, either of her own family or her acquaintance, it may not be
inexpedient to inform the fair reader of those qualities which, combined
in the same animal, may be said to constitute a complete lady's horse.
Such a creature, however, we must observe, is exceedingly difficult to
be procured, even by those possessed of the nicest judgment on the
subject; and, to whom, the usually important question of price is not an
object of consideration.
The beau ideal of this kind of horse is superlatively elegant in form,
exquisitely fine in coat, and unexceptionably beautiful in colour; of a
height, in the nicest degree appropriate to the figure of the rider;
graceful, accurate, well-united, and thoroughly safe in every pace;
"light as a feather" in the hand, though not at all painfully sensitive
to a proper action of the bit; bold in the extreme, yet superlatively
docile; free, in every respect, from what is technically denominated
"vice;" excellent in temper, but still "though gentle, yet not dull;"
rarely, if ever, requiring the stimulus of the whip, yet submitting
temperately to its occasional suggestions.
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In some, though not in all respects, the form should approach closely to
that of a thorough-bred animal. The head should be small, neat,
"well-set" on the neck, and gracefully "carried." The nostrils should be
wide; the eyes large, rather protruding, dark, yet brilliant; the ears
erect, and delicately tapering towards their tips. The expression of the
countenance should be lively, animated, noble, and most highly
intelligent; the neck rather arched and muscular; the ridge of the
shoulders narrow and elevated; the chest full and fleshy; the back
broad; the body, round or barrel-like; the space between the hips and
tail, long, and very gradually depressed towards the latter organ,
which, it is essential, should be based high on the croup. The fore and
hind limbs should be distant, the one pair from the other; the "arms"
muscular; the knees broad, the hocks (laterally) wide; the legs flat
and sinewy; the pasterns rather long; and the hoofs large, and nearly
round.
A rough, or, what is technically termed, a "staring" coat, considerably
deteriorates the appearance of a horse, however perfect in other
conditions. Its surface, on a well-bred, healthy, and properly groomed
animal, is not only smooth, but brilliantly polished. The mane, if too
long and thick, will interfere with that delicate management of the
reins so desirable to a lady on horseback; and the tail, if of
immoderate length, will, by the animal's whisking it towards his sides,
prove inconvenient, to the fair rider, at all times; but, especially so,
in dirty weather. Neither of these appendages, however, on the other
hand, should be ungracefully brief or scanty.
Of all colours presented by the horse, none is so rich, and, at the same
time, so elegant and chaste, as a bright bay; provided the mane, tail,
and lower parts of the legs, be black. A small white star on the
forehead, and a white speck on one of the heels, are to be considered,
rather, as beauties, than defects: but much white, either on the face or
legs, whatever be the general hue, is quite the reverse of desirable.
After bright bay, chestnut, perhaps, deserves to rank next in the scale
of taste; provided it be not, as is very frequently the case,
accompanied with white legs. Some of the various shades of grey,
however, are, in the opinion of many, entitled to be placed above it:
of these, the silver grey, with black mane and tail, claims the highest
place. Brown is rather exceptionable, on account of its dulness. Black
is not much admired; though, as we think, when of a deep jet, remarkably
elegant. Roan, sorrel, dun, piebald, mouse, and even cream colour
(however appropriate the latter may be for a state-carriage-horse) are
all to be eschewed.
The height of her horse should be in harmonious proportion with that of
the rider. A very young or short lady is in no less false a position, as
regards grace, on a lofty steed, than a tall, full-grown woman, on a
diminutive pony. For ladies of the general stature, a horse measuring
from fifteen to fifteen and a half hands, at the point of the shoulder,
is usually considered, as regards height, more desirable than any other.
In paces, the lady's horse should be perfect; or, at all events, so far
as regards the walk and canter. The former should be fast, bold, firm,
and lively, without being unsteady; and, the latter, light, easy,
well-combined, and graceful: so, too, should the hand-gallop; although,
it is true, a lady's horse is rarely put to this pace, unless used for
the field. The trot, again, is but little practised: still the complete
lady's horse is expected to be capable of performing it with great
precision of step, and but little concussion to the rider:--many ladies
regarding it,--however discountenanced by the majority, perhaps,--as
preferable, from its vigour, liveliness, and dash, to any other pace.
To expatiate on the absolute necessity of the lady's horse being safe on
his limbs, would be needless.
The mouth should be sensible of the most delicate hint of the rider's
will, communicated to it by means of the bit. A horse that pulls hard,
or hangs heavily upon the reins, is very unsuitable for a lady's use:
so, again, is one having the mouth so tender as to suffer from moderate
pressure, either by the snaffle or the curb. The former is no less
fatiguing to, than the latter is distressed by, the bridle hand.
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