IN THE SADDLE. 47 



mount in this way, and the only objection that can be made 

 to it, is that by a '^ cow-kick" the man standing at the 

 girth may receive an injury. But this is a rare vice, and 

 a horse that kicks is dangerous to approach, for mount- 

 ing or for any other purpose ; so that it is hardly worth 

 while to abandon a system that is otherwise excellent, 

 because it does not apply to a very small class of vicious 

 brutes, that should not be used for saddle under any cir- 

 cumstances. 



On the other hand, nearly every horse will paw with a 

 fore-foot, if at all impatient, and he who stands in front 

 of the shoulder of a horse is not secure from injury. 

 Among the other disadvantages of the generally adopted 

 method, mention may be made of the following : 



1. The rider, standing in front of the shoulder of the 

 horse, may be upset by a forward movement ; and this 

 danger is greatly mcreased after the foot is put into the 

 stirrup. 



2. The left hand, entangled and held in the hairs of 

 the mane, cannot use the reins. 



3. The drag upon the cantle of the saddle must, in all 

 cases, disturb its position, and may cause it to turn. 



4. The right arm fastened to the cantle of the saddle 

 prevents the right leg passing over the back of the horse. 



5. To pass the right leg over the horse, the right arm 

 must be removed ; thus taking away the principal brace 

 ot the body at the most critical time, and allowing the 

 body, in case of any movement, to fall backwards towards 

 the shoulder of the horse. 



6. The absence of a reason for any one motion in the 

 method. 



