How TO Mount Easily. 



263 



invented by White* which is more convenient to alter, although it only allows d variation of 

 three holes, and wears out fast when used for hunting. 



Having the horse, the bridle, and the saddle, next comes the operation of mounting. How 

 this should be done, according to the best examples, will presently be explained with several 

 illustrations, but the adult need not trouble himself with the niceties of the art, so long as 

 he takes care to stand near enough to his nag's shoulder not to get kicked. In reality, one 

 side is as good as the other for mounting, often better, although according to military school 

 rule the left, or "near," is the right side, and the right or "off" the wrong side. To avoid 

 all unnecessary exertion, let the pupil use a horse-block, if there is such a thing left in his 

 county. They were universal when demi-pique saddles were the rule, and when the wives 

 of farmers and doctors rode to market or visiting on pillions ; but of late years they have 



AUSTRALIAN SADDLE. 



WHrrF.'s STIRRUr-LEATHER. 



generally been pulled down, and used for building piggeries or dog-kennels. If the hack 

 selected is not more than fourteen hands high, the pupil will be able to mount from the ground ; 

 but if some artificial aid is required, and if there is no place for the purpose — no bucket 

 without a handle — the Charles Simmonds horse-step is the best ; any carpenter's apprentice 

 can make it in half an hour. It consists of a square box, to which is attached the handle of 

 a hay-rake. It is light, and may be moved anywhere at a moment's notice.f 



The best place for an adult to take his first ride in is a riding-school ; and the best instructor 

 is a riding master, if that master has the common sense to know that such a pupil is not to 

 be treated like a raw cavalry recruit. The great point is that the adult pupil should be made 

 as comfortable as possible under the circum.stances. The idea of tormenting him in order 

 that he may at once acquire the regulation seat of, say a sergeant of police in training previous 

 to promotion to an inspectorship, must be dismissed. 



The length of the stirrups can be settled by no fixed rule, they should be adjusted to 

 that length that will give the pupil the most confidence, and that will vary according to the 



* Sold by While and Coleman, Bishopsgate Street. 



t 111 use at the st.ibles of Mr. Charles Simmonds, Tlnlywell, Oxford. 



