1 84 SADDLING AND MOUNTING 



swifter than his fellows. Pet him a httle and 

 he will insist upon being fussed with. Give 

 such dainties as sugar, apples or carrots, and 

 he will ever be nuzzling at your pockets. His 

 low, soft love call for greeting of a morning is 

 well worth while for any man to earn. This is 

 not given to the man who thinks of a horse as 

 " it." 



The Saddling. After throwing the saddle 

 on, pass the hands all over the blanket under 

 the flaps to see there is no rucking. Lift the 

 blanket into the arch of the saddle to be sure 

 that no pressure will rest upon the withers. 

 Shift the saddle aft until quite sure it is free of 

 the shoulder blades. Girth up, and be sure 

 the horse is not holding his w^ind. If there is 

 doubt the off knee in his stomach will make 

 him relax his lungs. 



Mounting. The weapon, be it spear or 

 rifle, must be wielded with the right arm, so 

 the rein is held by the left hand. To secure 

 the rein with the left hand involves mounting 

 on the near side of the horse. There is an 

 advantage, however, in departing from uni- 

 versal practice and training the horse to be 

 mounted from either side. One may be hurt 

 and unable to mount on the near side when 

 there is peril in being left afoot. 



