i68 LADIES' RIDING. 



pommel with her left hand, the cantle with the right, and 

 spring lightly between both hands into the saddle. The 

 right leg is then put over the pommel, left foot put into 

 the stirrup, and habit arranged. 



4. To get into the saddle from the ground, without the 

 assistance of a gentleman or mounting block, the lady 

 should " let out " the stirrup, as few can reach it without 

 doing so, with an ordinary sized horse. When the 

 stirrup leather buckles on the off side, within reach of 

 the lady's hand, she can readily shorten it when mounted, 

 though she will have difficulty to do so when it is 

 attached to the near side. 



A lady friend and accomplished rider writes to me as 

 follows : — '' All ladies who hunt ought to be able to 

 mount unassisted, as they are liable to get a fall when 

 no one is close at hand to help them up. It may 

 happen also that from being thrown out, or from some 

 other cause, a lady may have to ride home quite alone 

 after a tiring day. How many ladies I have heard say 

 that they would gladly rest from their one unalterable 

 position in the saddle by walking a mile or so on the 

 way home, were it not for the difficulty of remounting." 



The Seat. — The left foot should be placed in the stirrup 

 as far as the ball of the foot, and not ''home." The 



