DISMOUNTING. 173 



right hand, catches hold of the mane with it, takes her 

 foot out of the stirrup, clears her right leg of the 

 pommel, and places her left hand on the raised arm 

 or hand of the gentleman, who, shifting his hold of the 

 horse, catches the near cheekpiece of the headstall with 

 his left hand, while he extends his hand to help the 

 lady. She, steadying herself with both hands, slips 

 down well to the front. If the horse is very unsteady, 

 she may, before dismounting, draw the reins through 

 the right hand while it is on the mane, taking care to 

 have the off rein tighter than the near one, so as to 

 prevent the horse from whipping round to the right 

 when she is descending. A lady cannot get off in this 

 manner, if the horse is, comparatively, a very high one. 



3. When the rider has to dismount without any 

 assistance whatsoever, she should take her foot out of 

 the stirrup, remove her right leg from the pommel, place 

 her right hand on the third crutch — which she should 

 turn round if it be movable — and the left hand, which 

 holds the reins, on the pommel. She can now swing 

 herself down, and alight a little to the left front of the 

 horse's near fore leg, while retaining her grip on the 

 reins. 



The Rider's Dress. — I am indebted to a few lady 



