MOUNTING AND DISMOUNTING. 103 



point down, so tliat it may not hit the horse, 

 and the latter grasped just tightly enough to 

 feel the horse's mouth without pulling on it. 

 In order to arrano-e the folds of the ridinir skirt 

 after mounting, the reins and whip must be 

 transferred to the right hand ; then, resting 

 this hand upon the off-pommel, the rider should 

 raise herself free from the saddle by straighten- 

 ing her left knee and standing on the stirrup, 

 also aiding herself by means of the right hand 

 on the pommel. While thus standing she can 

 quickly arrange the skirt with her left hand. 



None of the methods of mounting just de- 

 scribed — with the exception of the first one — 

 are at all graceful, and they should never be 

 used except in case of absolute necessity. The 

 most graceful way for a lady to reach the sad- 

 dle, and the one that is taught in the best riding 

 schools, is by the assistance of a gentleman. 

 The rider's education will not be complete until 

 she has learned this method of mounting, which, 

 when accomplished easily and gracefully, is de- 

 lio:htful to witness. It should be learned after 

 the preliminary lessons at the ^horse-block have 

 been taken. In using this simple manner of 

 reaching the saddle, the rider will have three 

 distinct points of support, namely, the shoulder 

 of the gentleman who assists her, the united 



