CHAPTER VI. 

 MOUNTING AND DISMOUNTING, 



MOUNTING. 



SUPPOSING, as is usually the case, that there is a groom 

 to hold the horse, and a gentleman to put the lady 

 up ; the groom, after the reins are placed on the 

 animal's neck just in front of the withers, should stand 

 in front of the horse, and should keep the animal's 

 head up by holding the snaffle reins, one in each hand, 

 close to the rings. If a double bridle be employed, as 

 is usually the case, he should on no account hold the 

 bit reins, lest an accident may happen from the curb 

 hurting the horse's mouth. If there be no snaffle, the 

 cheek-pieces of the headstall of the curb or Pelham 

 should be held. With a strange or uncertain tempered 

 animal, it is best for the lady to approach him from his 

 " left front," and she will do well to speak kindly to 

 him and pat him on the neck, for these two forms of 

 conciliation are greatly appreciated by horses. Having 

 arrived alongside her mount, she should stand just 

 behind his near foreleg, close to, but not touching him, 

 and facing to the front, with her shoulders at right 



