CHAPTEE rV. 

 THE MOUNT, EEINS, ETC. 



We have now given our learner a preliminary shaking 

 into a smooth and secure seat by mounting him on a 

 horse whose management is intrusted to a friend, have 

 taught hina the use of the stirrups, and have shown him 

 what sort of saddle and bridle he needs for his outfit. 

 He is now ready to begin to learn to be a horseman, and 

 he may next be taught to mount properly. 



He should first learn, if young enough for such 

 efforts, to vault into the saddle. We now and then hear 

 of Princes, and the like, who lay one hand on the pom- 

 mel and ^'gracefully vault into the saddle," but we do 

 not see the feat performed except by skillful acrobats, and 

 it is not very gracefully performed even by them. The 

 following method, however, demands but little skill or 

 strength, and, while always a good way to mount, is 

 sometimes the only way it is practicable to mount a 

 restive horse. 



1, Stand facing the horse's left shoulder ; 2, adjust 

 the reins in the left hand, and take a lock of the mane 

 in it ; 3, lay the right hand on the pommel of the saddle, 

 with the fingers inside and the thumb outside of it ; 4, 

 spring upward and throw the whole weight on the hands, 

 with the crotch at the hight of the saddle, figure 14 ; 5, 

 (42) 



