92 ILLUSTRATED GUIDE. 



it fall over tlie fore-finger on the off side, and pkce the 

 thumb upon the reins. Twist a lock of the mane round 

 the thumb or fore-finger, and close the hand firmly upon 

 the reins. Take the stirrup in the right hand and place 

 the left toe in it as far as the ball ; let the knee press 

 ao-ainst the flap of the saddle to prevent the point of the 

 toe from irritating the. side of the horse ; seize the cantle 

 of the saddle with the right hand, and springing from the 

 right toe, throw the right leg clear over the horse, com- 

 ing gently into the saddle by staying the weight of the 

 body with the right hand resting on the right side of the 

 pommel of the saddle; put the right toe in the stirrup." 

 Now, this is, in the main, applicable to a man of five feet 

 ten inches or six feet ; but to a shorter individnal, at- 

 tempting to mount a horse of fifteen hands, it is an im- 

 possibility, simply because he cannot reach the cantle 

 from the same position which enables him to hold the 

 stirrup in his left hand. The Captain is also wrong, in 

 my opinion, in directing that the body should be raised 

 into the saddle directly from the ground, with one move- 

 ment. This will always bring the rider down into the 

 saddle wath a very awkward jerk; and the proper direc- 

 tion is to raise the body straight up, till both feet are on 

 a level with the stirrup iron, and then, with the left leg. 

 held against the flap of the saddle by the left hand on the 

 pommel, the right leg is easily thrown over the cantle, 

 and the body may be kept in the first position until the 

 horse is quiet, if he is plunging or rearing. A short man 

 can generally place his foot in the stirrup while in his 

 hand, but it should be known that all cannot do this, 

 because I have seen young* riders much vexed at finding 

 that they could not possibly do what is directed. 



