MOUNTIXG. 167 



and finally at a trot. In cantering it cannot be done " 

 ( Vieille Moustache). The habit being settled, the rider 

 takes up the reins with the left hand, or with both. 



If the horse be very steady, the lady may mount in 

 the foregoing manner, even without the help of a groom. 



2. If there be no groom present, and the horse re- 

 quires to be held, the gentleman may do it with the 

 left hand, while he places his right, palm up, on his knee, 

 for the lady to put her foot on. Or he may steady him- 

 self and the horse, by holding the reins and the mane in 

 the same manner as if he were going to mount. 



3. If the horse be fractious and the gentleman be 

 unaided, or if the lady is quite alone with a steady 

 horse, she may mount from a low wall, chair, etc. If a 

 gentleman be present, he may stand in front of the horse 

 and hold him in the way already described for the groom 

 to do ; or, if the horse shows unwillingness to approach 

 the mounting block, the gentleman may hold the off 

 cheekpiece of the headstall of the bridle with his right 

 hand, and, with the flat of his left hand, prevent the 

 horse from swinging his hind quarters out. When the 

 horse is sufficiently close, the lady should take the whip 

 and reins in her left hand and " feel " the horse's mouth. 

 She should put the left foot in the stirrup, take the 



