MOUNTING AND DISMOUNTING. 109 



precipitated into the arms of the gentleman 

 who assists, is by no means an easy task, and 

 very few lady riders accomplish it with skill and 

 address. 



When assisting his companion from the sad- 

 dle, the gentleman should stand about a foot 

 from her with his face toward the horse, while 

 she, after taking her foot from the stirrup and 

 disengaging her right leg from the pommel, 

 must turn her body so as to face him. After 

 putting the stirrup over the shield of the saddle, 

 as in mounting, he should then extend his hands 

 so as to support her by the elbows, while she 

 rests a hand upon each of his shoulders. Then, 

 by giving a gentle spring, she will glide lightly 

 to the ground, he meanwhile supporting her 

 with his hands, and, as she descends, bending 

 his body, and moving his right side slightly 

 backward. She can also assist him to lessen 

 the shock as she touches the ground by bending 

 her knees a little, as if courtesying. 



Another way of assisting the lady, especially 

 if she be rather stout and not very active, is 

 for the gentleman to clasp her waist with both 

 hands, instead of holding her by the elbows. 

 He should, in this case, stand as far from her as 

 he can while still supporting her, and, as she 

 descends, should make a step backward with his 



