38 



HORSEMANSHIP. 



satisfy yourself that he has been carefully groomed, and 

 that he is properly bridled and saddled, the orthodox 

 manner of placing yourself on his back is as follows. 

 Stand opposite his near fore foot, place the left hand open 

 on the neck, just in front of the withers, the back of the 



hand to the horse's head (position No. i). Take up the 

 reins with the right hand, separate them by placing the 

 third finger of the left hand between them, then draw 

 them through the still open hand until you feel the horse's 

 mouth; turn the slack of the reins over the fore-linger to 

 the off side, the mane side, of the neck ; twist a lock of 

 the mane round the forefinsjer and thumb, and close the 



hand firmly, the thumb acting as a stopper on the reins. 

 The right hand, now free, takes the stirrup by the eye, or 

 the stirrup leather immediately above the eye, and turns 

 the stirrup so that its sides are at right angles to the 

 horse's body. Place the left foot in it as far as the ball. 



