EAEEY AND ROCKWELL's TRAINING METHODS. 103 



the weight of the rider, is to mount from a block of 

 one to one-and-a-half feet high. As the horse is 

 watching every change in the position of his master 

 and is very apt to get alarmed by his suddenly 

 jumping on the block, get on the block very slowly, 

 allowing the horse to see you in the position of first 

 having only one foot on the block, being the same 

 position as when mounting the horse. If the horse 

 does not show any fear, let the stirrups down gently, 

 put the left foot in the stirrup, taking care not to 

 touch the horse with the toes under the shoulder. 

 The knee should be close to the saddle, the left hand 

 taking hold of a lock of the mane, the right hand 

 placed on the cantle of the saddle. Lifting yourself 

 up a little from the block, let the horse gradually 

 feel the whole weight of your body, first on the stir- 

 rup, then in the saddle. Be very careful in doing 

 that, for it is the critical moment, and if done too 

 rashly, it may spoil the animal for a long time. Re- 

 peat this exercise several times, each time liftiag 

 yourself a little higher. 



The reason, for mounting from a block, is that the 

 horse will not feel the weight of the rider at once, 

 but gradually, and, besides, the rider is not com- 

 pelled to spring, to get into the saddle, and lastly, 

 the horse will gradually become accustomed to the 

 high position, in which he will afterward see his rider. 



