MOUNTING AND DISMOUNTING. 107 



enable her to put her left foot upon them, and, 

 in raising them as she springs, he must grad- 

 ually assume the erect posture. When the lady 

 is seated, he should return the stirrup to its 

 proper position and place her foot in it, after 

 first, with his left hand, adjusting her skirt so 

 that it will fall evenly ; he should then place 

 the curb-reins in her left hand, with the others. 

 No gentleman is a finished equestrian, nor a de- 

 sirable companion for a lady on horseback, who 

 does not know how to assist her dexterously 

 and gracefully to mount and dismount. 



A lady who is not very nimble in her move- 

 ments, or who is very heavy, should be ex- 

 tremely careful in mounting not to accept as- 

 sistance from a gentleman who is not strong 

 enough to support her weight easily and firmly. 

 It will be much better for her to use a horse- 

 block or something of the kind. But if she does 

 accept the aid of a gentleman, the following 

 changes in the methods described above have 

 been recommended : instead of facing her, he 

 should stand close to her side, with his face 

 turned in the same direction as hers : she should 

 then place her left foot in his united hands, and 

 in order to do so must pass her left leg between 

 his right arm and his body. He will thus be 

 enabled to support and lift her with greater 



