42 HOW TO BIDE. 



Take the centre of both reins in the right hand, the snaffle rein being on 

 the top of the curb ; then pLace a finger of tlie left hand between each rein, 

 beginning witli the little finger, so that the left snaffle is outside the little 

 finger, the next finger being between the curb reins, and the right snaffle 

 rein between the forefinger and the middle finger, the whole being brought 

 over the forefinger, and the thumb closed firmly on the top of the reins. 

 Thus the curb reins are the two centre ones, and the snaffle reins on the 

 outside. 



DISMOUNTING. 



In "preparing to dismount," the right hand takes hold of the reins above 

 the left, and the right foot is taken out of the stirrup, the left hand then 

 slides forward on the reins which are still held in the right hand about 

 twelve inches from the saddle ; then drop the spare part of the reins out of 

 the right hand to the off side, take the lock of the mane as in mounting, 

 and place the right hand on the pommel of the saddle. In doing this the 

 body should be kept upright. In "■ dismounting," the body is to be sup- 

 ported by the right hand and left foot, and the right leg brought clear over 

 the horse's croup to the near side ; heels close. (It should be explained to 

 the pupil that a pause is always to be made here both in mounting and 

 dismounting ; in case the horse is not steady or anything wrong, he can 

 from this position come down or not as may be best.) 



The body is not to be lowered till the right foot is on the ground. Then, 

 keeping the hands in the same position, take the left foot out of the stirrup 

 and place it in line with the horse's fore feet. The pupil is then to quit 

 his hold with both hands and turn to his left, as he turns taking hold of 

 the rein about six inches from the ring of the snaffle and raising the horse's 

 head. 



