go HORSEMANSHIP. 



Dismounting. 



When the horse has come to the full stop, or halt, transfer 

 the whip to the left hand, slide the left hand down the rein 

 till it meets the horse's neck, and twist a lock of the mane 

 round the thumb or forefinger. Disengage the right foot from 

 the stirrup ; place the heel of the right hand upon the off 

 side of the pommel-flap ; and, supporting the weight of the 

 body upon the right hand and left foot in the stirrup, bring 

 the right leg gently backwards over the hind quarters, being 

 careful to clear the hip and croup, the right hand gripping 

 the cantle as the body descends on the near side. When 

 the descent is to be on the off-side these positions are reversed, 

 the right hand having hold of the mane, the right foot in the 

 stirrup, and so on. 



There are more expeditious methods of dismounting than 

 the above, all requiring more or less agility, which may be 

 practised with advantage. When the horse is at a halt, or 

 walking slowly, the rider, leaning a little back, may disengage 

 both feet from the stirrups and throw his right or left leg, 

 according to which side he desires to alight^ over the horse's 

 neck, sliding down with his hip next the horse's shoulder. 

 If he means to come down on the near side, the reins will 

 be in his right hand, and vice versa. This will land him with 

 his face to his proper front. When throwing the leg over the 

 horse's neck he must be careful that its head is not suddenly 

 thrown up. 



Another speedy way in which to leave the saddle is to 

 draw both feet from the irons, to place the heels of both 

 hands on either side of the pommel, and, taking the spring 

 from the hands, elbows, and shoulder, to vault off the horse's 

 back, landing in a forward direction level with his fore-feet 



