PART XV. 



HELPING LADIES ON HORSEBACK 



Note. — These suggestions are given as an addendum, that they 

 may, if required, he removed from the rest of the work, ivhich is ne- 

 cessarily unsuited, from its medical details, for the perusal of 

 ladies. 



LADY MOUNTING. Groom should face horse's head, one 

 hand on either side, holding bridle close to bit to keep horse 

 steady. 



Gentleman inspects saddle, bridle, girths, &c., to see all cor- 

 rect and then puts stirrup over horse's neck to be out of lady's 

 way. 



Lady stands quite close to horse's left side, facing same way 

 as horse, right hand on the left pommel, left on gentleman's 

 right shoulder. 



Gentleman faces the lady, stooping with his fingers interlock- 

 ed to form a rest for the lady's left foot. 



Gentleman says " one, two, three," and at the word 

 " three," the lady springs up from right instep, straightening 

 left leg as she rises, he raising his hands till she has reached the 

 saddle. He then gives her the stirrup and her whip. 



Another plan, if the lady be very heavy, is for the gentleman 

 to stand close alongside her, with his face towards the horse's 

 head to receive her foot, in his hands as before described, only 

 under his right arm. This gives him great power. 



LADY DISMOUNTING. Gentleman with left hand holds 

 reins as near as possible to horse's mouth, his left arm extended. 



Lady takes her foot out of the stirrup, which is then placed 

 over horse's neck by the gentleman. {N.B. — Don't forget 

 this as many do.) She then lifts her right knee over the pommel, 

 places her right hand on pommel and her left on gentleman's 

 right shoulder or in his risflit hand, and slides (not jumps) down. 



LADY IN DIFFICULTIES. Always ride on lady's right 

 side, to shield her from any collision with passing carriages, 

 besides keeping clear of her habit. If she gets frightened, and 

 cannot control her horse, take one of your reins off and put it as 

 a leading-rein to her bridle. If her horse bolts, on no account 

 gallop after her, as it would make matters worse. If possible, 

 by some short cut get ahead of her, and as she passes lay hold 

 of her reins and riding by her side, gradually pull in her horse. 

 The only other effective plan is for the lady to steer her horse 

 straight up against any wall ; even though she cannot pull him 

 in, she mav be able to do this. 



