A perfect ladies' horse is of all descriptions the most difficult to find. So many good qualities, which, though desirable in all riding horses, may be overlooked in those for men, are here absolutely essential. Fine temper and courage, a light level mouth, and fine manners, are indispensable. He should be from 15hds. to I5hds. 3m. high, with a good head and neck, fine oblique shoulders, rather long in the body, with a good back and loin, deep strong quarters, firm sound legs and feet. If the hind legs are rather bent, so much the better; he will get them more finder him, and consequently his paces will be easier - horses with straight hind legs invariably pitching most unpleasantly in the canter, which must be easy and elegant. As few ladies ride more than from ten to eleven stone, including a nineteen or twenty-pound saddle, and ease and lightness in action are indispensable, the ladies' horse should be very nearly thorough-bred, if not quite so. He must walk well and freely, step lightly but sharply in the trot, with a rather long easy canter. He must be high couraged and free, but at the same time docile and temperate. A slow, lazy horse is as objectionable and disagreeable to ride as a hot, irritable one.

The latter will sometimes go quietly and temperately in the hands of a lady, though irritable and fidgety when ridden by men, owing to the easier, lighter pull on their mouths. From the position of the ladies' seat and from the great length and incumbrance of the habit, it follows they cannot have the same power and control over the horse that men have, and accidents to them are more likely to be attended with dangerous results; hence greater care is necessary in selecting a horse for their use free from all tricks, nervousness, and vice.

Many are called good ladies' horses that have no other recommendation than their being very quiet, which with very many will cover a multitude of faults.

A few years since ladies rode no pace but the walk and canter, but lately the trot has become a favourite and fashionable pace; consequently a safe, sharp, easy trot is now essential in all horses to carry a lady.

The ladies' hunter differs in some respects from the riding horse for the road or park; he may be less showy and stronger. He must be eight or nine years old, have been well and regularly ridden to hounds for at least two or three seasons, and thoroughly understand his business; not less than I5hds. 2in. or more than 16hds. high, well above the weight he has to carry, well-bred and fast, but thoroughly quiet and temperate among other horses, and at his fences, which he should take freely and cleverly, go well into the bridle without pulling, and turn readily with a motion of the hand.

A hot, irritable, fretful brute, or one with a weak, loose neck is uncomfortable enough for a man to ride, but it is absolutely dangerous to allow any lady to ride such a one on the road - to say nothing of riding him to hounds - however good he may be represented to be.

The best colours for ladies' horses are bay, brown, dark chestnut, or black. There is an old saying, that "A good horse cannot be a bad colour;" and though no purchaser should decline to buy one that is likely to suit him on account of colour, those I have named are to be preferred.

The price of horses differs so greatly, and depends so much on their make, style, and qualifications, that it is difficult to name an average one; but a good ladies' horse, either for the road or the field, is always worth from 100l. to 150l.