THE PRIMER. I 7 



from a halt. In mounting the moving horse in 

 this manner, the rider should be careful not to 

 spring with too much vigour, or to throw his 

 body too much over the horse, as the movement 

 of the animal aids him in rising, and the more 

 rapidly the animal goes the less of a spring will 

 be required. 



To dismount without stirrups, the rider will take 

 the holds upon the mane and the pommel, as in 

 mounting ; then, leaning forward, he will take his 

 weight upon his arms, throw the right leg over the 

 back of the horse, and gently let himself down to 

 the ground, releasing the holds upon the mane and 

 the pommel when he is assured of his footing. To 

 dismount from the moving horse, he will reach the 

 ground prepared to take a few steps in the direction 

 the horse is going, just as he would leave a tram- 

 car in motion. In dismounting without stirrups it 

 is necessary to keep the reins in the right hand, so 

 that there may be no danger of being thrown 

 under the feet of the horse in the effort to stop 

 it, as might happen should the reins be held in the 

 left hand. 



The rider should practise mounting and dis- 

 mounting upon the right or off side of the horse, as 

 well as upon the usual side. Some men who have 



been accustomed to ride for years would find it 



c 



