The book provides an exhaustive manual for female equestrians, addressing the specific challenges of sidesaddle riding, equipment safety, and horse management. The author begins by examining the physical disadvantages of the sidesaddle compared to the cross-saddle, emphasizing the necessity of correct balance, proper saddle fitting, and a secure grip using the leaping head. Detailed attention is given to the selection and training of suitable horses, highlighting the importance of a calm temperament, solid conformation, and proper bitting. The text systematically breaks down technical aspects such as holding the reins, executing transitions, mastering the trot and canter, and safely negotiating natural and artificial fences across country.
Further chapters offer practical advice on riding dress, safety skirts, grooming, health care for horses, and handling difficult animals. The argument develops from fundamental anatomy and basic lessons into advanced hunting tactics, stressing that a true horsewoman relies on sympathetic handling rather than brute force. Throughout the work, the author advocates for kindness to animals, condemns cruel practices such as docking, and underscores the vital importance of safety appliances to prevent fatal accidents. The discussion ultimately conveys a philosophy of horsemanship rooted in anatomical precision, mutual trust between rider and mount, and unyielding adherence to safety.
