MOUNTING. 173 



ference of the circle described by the horse. When the rider 

 has his left foot in the stirrup, his left hand well up on the 

 crest and holding the mane, and his right hand on the cantle; 

 he should be able to get into the saddle if he is at all active, or 

 rest himself, foot in stirrup, even if the horse moves forward, or 

 begins to " dance about." 



Fig. 172. Bringing horse's head round to near side when mounting. 



2. Australian rough-riders, when preparing to mount a 

 difficult horse, as a rule bring the animal's head round by 

 taking (as already described) a short grip of the near rein, 

 which they hold in the left hand, along with a handful of the 

 mane. They then put the left foot in the near stirrup with 

 the aid of the right hand, taking care not to touch the animal's 



