30 HORSE AND MAN. 



raised up, ought to carry her seat from front to rear, and from 

 left to right, while the man at the same time makes a 

 movement from rear to front and from right to left. 

 Here we have a double displacement. If, on the contrary, 

 the lady gives her right foot, which is nearer to the 

 horse than the left, she need make only a very slight spring 

 with her left foot and to straighten the right knee, to come 

 naturally on the middle line of the saddle, and to sit down 

 without the slightest displacement. I do not claim the merit 

 of having discovered this simple method, which has long been 

 practised by many of the best horsewomen. I have had the 

 honour of putting into the saddle sovereign ladies who always 

 mounted in this manner. Ladies, without having previously 

 made up your mind, please try for a week this method of 

 being put up on the saddle, and I am certain you will 

 adopt it. 



As soon as the lady is in the saddle she ought to place her 

 right leg over the upper crutch without waiting to settle her 

 skirt, so that she may avoid falling off in the event of the 

 horse starting to one side. I ma\' add that the hands of the 

 man ought not to quit the foot of the lad\' until her right leg 

 is in its right place. To dismount, the lady takes her foot 

 out of the stirrup and gives her left wrist to the attendant. 

 She thereupon removes her right leg from the upper crutch, 

 gives him the right wrist, and lets herself slip down to the 

 ground, while supporting herself a little with her arms. She 

 ought to alight on her toes, and should bend her knees, so as 

 to avoid any concussion, which, without this precaution, she 

 is apt to receive after a long ride, on account of her legs 

 being stiff and numbed. I repeat that the lady ought to give 

 her wrists, and instead of jumping ought to slide down. It 

 often happens that the lady throws herself from the saddle 

 and the cavalier takes hold of her by the waist. Not being 

 able to hold her up with his outstretched arms,^hc lets her 



