1 6 MODERN HORSEMANSHIP. 



hand upon the pommel, his left hand grasping a 

 lock of the mane. The attendant, opposite the 

 shoulder of the horse, holds the snaffle reins in his 

 left hand under the animal's chin, and with his 

 riofht hand takes hold of the rider's left lee near the 

 ankle. Between the assistance of the attendant and 

 his own efforts, the rider rises and takes his weight 

 upon his straightened arms, and then carries his 

 rioht lepf over the back of the horse. 



But a rider of ordinary strength and agility should 

 not require the stirrup, or any other assistance, in 

 mounting, for there is really no great difficulty in 

 vaulting into the saddle. To mount without stirrups, 

 the rider should stand facing the near shoulder of 

 the horse : with the left hand he will seize a lock 

 of the mane, half-way between the withers and the 

 ears ; and with the right hand, in which are held 

 the reins, he will grasp the pommel : springing from 

 both feet he will take his weight upon the 

 straightened arms, and from this position he will 

 carry his right leg over the back of the horse, and 

 sink gently into the saddle. In this manner he can 

 mount the most restless horse, for, after he has 

 taken the grasp upon the mane and upon the 

 pommel, the horse cannot prevent him reaching the 

 saddle ; and it is easier to mount the horse by 

 taking advantage of its motions when in action than 



