88 RIDING FOR LADIES, 



legs and by the sudden throw-up of their necks to send me into 

 the saddle face to the tail. On no account hurry this mounting 

 practice, do not let him be flustered or fatigued, and see that 

 the rider's foot deftly clears him without once touching or kick- 

 ing him ; much depends on the clean manner in which the 

 various mountings and dismountings are performed. 



The mounting block will be dispensed with so soon as the rider 

 is permitted to throw his right leg over his back and to straddle 

 him without starting. It is essential that he should stand stock 

 still and that he should not move forward without the usual 

 " klick." When quite patient and steady in being mounted with 

 the rug or fleece, a nice light 5 lb. polo or racing saddle with a 

 " Humane " numnah under it should be substituted, and if the 

 pony's shoulders are low and upright a crupper will be necessary. 

 Care must be taken that the crupper strap is not too tight, also 

 that the crupper itself does not produce a scald under the dock 

 of the tail ; a strip of lamb-skin, the wool next the dock, will en- 

 sure that. After being led about in the saddle for a time, he is 

 brought into the box or yard and there mounted by the lad, the 

 trainer having hold of the leading rein, the rider of the bridle. 



Now a word as to the said lad. All he has to do is to preserve 

 the hghtest possible touch of the mouth, and to sit firm and 

 sit quiet. I would rather prefer that he did not hail from a 

 racing stable, for these imps — the most mischievous of their race 

 — are up to all sorts of tricks and are accustomed to ride trust- 

 ing almost entirely to the support gained from their knotted 

 bridle and the steady pressure against the stirrup somewhat 

 after the principle of the coachman and his foot-board. He 

 must be forced to keep his heels and his ashplant quiet. I am 

 averse to much lounging and am confident it is overdone. On 

 carrying the lad quietly led by hand, the following lessons 

 should be in company with some staid old stager. Markedly 

 gregarious in his habits, the horse never feels so happy or con- 

 tended as when in company ; in the society of a well-behaved 

 tractable member of his family he will do all that is required of 

 him. Soon the leading rein will be superfluous and the pony 

 and his rider will be able to go anywhere at any pace. It is es- 

 pecialy advisable that when his first rides lie away from home 

 he should be ridden in company with some other horse, or he 

 may turn restive. Be very careful not to attempt anything with 

 him that may lead up to a fight in which he may remain master. 

 Any disposition on his part to " reest " or to break out into re- 

 bellion is proof of his not having learnt his first lessons pro- 

 perly. Far better to lead him away from home for a mile or 



