Mounting 107 



securely. Have an assistant hold the horse's head 

 while you mount. To steady the animal, some recom- 

 mend the use of the noose- or rope- twitch (p. 197). 

 The horse may rear, bound forward, buck or lie down. 

 In any event, the rider must stay on, remembering 

 that the horse is already tired and on soft ground. 

 It is often an endurance trial, and this is the reason 

 why one must have the horse tired to begin with, for 

 otherwise he may be able to bound and buck till 

 the rider is so exhausted that he can no longer main- 

 tain his position on the saddle. When the horse 

 calms, caress him and repeat until he stands quietly 

 while you mount. 



