Evening star., 1880-02-14
RIDING HABITS.
The Dangers and IncOnveniences to
which Ladies are Subjected In the
H8dtIe.
.Tha 0llaen. !

1.-THE Queen.1
There has lately been much discussion In
contemporary as to the risks run by ladies when
riding and hunting, and also as to the part
played by the present style of riding habit in
producing accidents such as were described in
letter written by Mr.. Lowell. That gentleman,
after detailing some terrible cataStrOpheS pro-
duced by the enlargement OF the habit In the
pommels of the saddle, proposed that the habit
hem, just like man'sl frock coat. and that the
seams at the bottom should only be
buttoned together, the buttons being very
the slightest strain. few moments
consideration must show, however, that such
course is impracticable, for the least touch
wind, would be certain to cause anything 50
slightly attached to come apart and the Lady
would be left in very unpleasant position, her
ea see a
impossible to improve the habits of the day
when made by first-rate artists. Formerly there
OF cloth, not only floating beneath the foot and
exposing the wearer to numoerless dangers
from catching in gate-posts, branches or any of
the many obstacles to be encountered in riding
across country, but also in the upper portion of
the skirt, and requiring to be arranged among
the pommels. Now the habits are very closely
there Is mot mot sf Inch OF
clement is thereby very materially lessened
The old flowing skirt has also entirely dis
appeared. Even for Park riding, the habit
hardly reaches more than two inches below the
foot, while for hunting it is cut even shorter,
ther.by greatly lessen1ng the danger of catch
ing in any passing obstacle. Nothing can be
present day, fitting its wearer like a glove, Ut
terly destitute Of braid or trimming of any
kind, and depending for its beauty entirely on
the perfection of its cut and its thoroughly use
full and workmanlike appearance. Some ladies,
anxious to avoid the Possibility OF wrinkle,
have elastic straps sewn into the skirt to slip
over the foot; but these, with Well-cut habit
and a good seal 0llfte unnecessary and thpy
certainly constitute an element of danger. A
lady'S seat can never, in the nature Of things
ENLARGEMENT does not reside In the habit 50
much as In the st1rrup. Even those with the
safety spring do not Invariably release the
foot Tsn Many Of .nS the :, pss best
practice of dispensing with the stirrup is
begun early, it is quite as easy to ride without
ia far PETER seat Is insured as the balance Is
to point out how Infinitely less is the danger OF
the rider being dragged In case of an accident.
One or two writer's regard the off-pommel as
1t Is useless. In this we cannot agree. We know
a lady who has twice owed her nfe-or, at any
rate, Immunity from severe accident-to the
off-pommel. On one occasion the powerful hun
ter she was riding, after several plungeS, began
to wriggle in an endeavor to rid himself OF his
burden, and she was thrown over on the of side,
with her head as low as his knee; had there been
no or-pommel it would have been utterly
impossible for her to orecover her balance. On
the other occasion careless groom rode at full
gallop against the flank Of her horse in Rotten
Row as she was turning, again throwing her
over on the of side. On each occasion the Of
pommel saved fearful accident, and Its use
was proved by the black bruise left above the
knee, where the riders weight had for moment
hurg on it. 1t is also Of infinite service in the
event of horse stumbling going down hill or
cushion between the other two pommels is, we
think, an excellent one, and could ct least be
productive Of neither danger nor inconveni-
lie In well-made habits which really at the pres
ent moment seem as near perfection as possible.