HORSEMANSHIP. 79 



holding them separated with the little finger of 

 each hand, the end of the reins being thrown, 

 over the fore-fingers, the thumb closed on 

 them, and the finger shut. 



When afterwards further advanced, she 

 holds the reins in the left hand. 



OF DISMOUNTING. 



Ladies dismount their horses with, and oc- 

 casionally without, assistance. 



In either case, they first shift the reins to 

 the right hand, and apply it to the ofi* crutch 

 of the saddle. 



The gentleman officiates, if present, in 

 clearing the lady's clothes from the pommel 

 of the saddle, as the lady raises her knee over. 



Taking the stirrup from the foot, the lady 

 then shifts her right hand to the near crutch 

 of the pommel. 



In whatever manner the lady may choose 

 to dismount, it is necessary to be careful that 

 the clothes are off" the pommel of the saddle, 

 and the stirrup free of any entanglement. 



I. If the lady is alert and active, she may 

 dismount very gracefully, by giving her left 

 hand into the gentleman's left hand; and, 

 springing just sufficiently to clear the saddle, 

 she will alight on the balls of the feet, with 



