372 RIDING 



right hand and place the little finger of the left hand between 

 them, the left hand being about twelve inches from the saddle, 

 on the horse's neck. He should next draw the reins through 

 the left hand and shorten them so as to feel the horse's mouth 

 lightly and evenly ; then drop the end of the reins out of the 

 right hand to the off side, and with the right hand take a lock of 

 the mane, bring it through the full of the left hand, and twist 

 it round the thumb, the fingers of the left hand closing firmly 

 on the mane and reins. He is next to take hold of the stirrup 

 with the right hand, raise the left foot and place it in the stirrup 

 as far as the ball of the foot ; the knee is to be in the middle 

 of the flap of the saddle ; the right hand is now to be placed 

 on the cantle of the saddle. Care should be taken that the 

 left heel is drawn back so as to keep the toe away from the 

 horse's side. 



This is the position of 'Prepare to mount.' In 'Mounting' 

 the man should be taught to spring from the right instep 

 {not to drag himself up by his hands), bringing both heels 

 together, the body upright and slightly leaning over the saddle, 

 both knees firm against the flap of the saddle. The right leg 

 should now be passed clear over the horse's quarters to the off 

 side, and the right hand moved at the same time from the cantle 

 to the pommel of the saddle to support the body. The knee 

 should be closed to the saddle first, and in passing the right leg 

 over the horse's croup the toe should be down. He should 

 next be shown how to take a rein in each hand, and be placed 

 in the saddle. In taking the reins they should be through the 

 full of the hand and over the fore-finger, with the thumb closed 

 firmly on the top, and the little finger should be outside the rein. 



He must now be instructed that he is to sit in the middle of 

 the saddle, with the body upright but easy ; the head raised 

 and the weight of the upper part of the body over the hips ; 

 the shoulders square and thrown back ; the small part of the 

 back slightly bent forward ; the elbows under the shoulders, and 

 to touch the hips lightly. The hands should be in front of the 

 elbows, which will bring them about six inches apart, and the 



