GIIACEFUL RIDING. -21 



having an even pressure on the Jiorse's mouth, must 

 be hii J over each other, being held firmly in the hand, 

 tlie thumb pressing hard upon them to prevent them 

 slipping through the fingers. Be particuhir that the 

 reins are not taken up too short, for fear it might 

 cause the horse to rear or run back ; they must he 

 held neither too tight nor too slack, but having an 

 equal feeling of the horse s mouth. Next take up a 

 handful of the mane with the right hand, bring it 

 through the full of the left hand (otherwise tlie 

 palm), and twist it round the thumb. Take hold of 

 the stirrup with the right hand, the thumb in front. 

 Place the left foot in the stirrup as far as the ball of 

 it, placing tlie right hand on the cantle (or back part 

 of the saddle), and, by a spring of the right foot from 

 the instep, the rider should raise himself up in the 

 stirrup, then move the hand from the cantle to the 

 pummel, to support the body while the right leg 

 passes clearly over the horse's quarters ; the rider's 

 right knee closes on the saddle and the body falls 

 gently into it. The left hand now quits the mane, 

 and the second stirrup must be taken without the 

 help of eye or hand. 



The left hand (the bridle hand) must be placed 

 with the wrist rounded outwards, opposite the centre 

 of the body, and about three inches from it, letting the 

 right arm drop unconstrained by the side of the thigh. 



