332 The Book of the Horse. 



horse has been attained ; but with a woman, whose seat is purely artificial, it is of great 

 importance that the first step should be the right step. It is literally " le premier pas que 

 coiite" 



Men and boys are presumed to know something about horses in stables and the field, 



MOUNTING— FIRST POSITION. 



even if they have never ridden one ; but it is often decided that young girls shall learn to 

 ride who have no more personal familiarity with" the equine race than with the tame beasts 

 of the Zoological Gardens. Hence they are not unnaturally very much alarmed when first, 

 without pre\-i()iis introduction, put on the back of a groat and powerful beast, whose good- 

 tempered snorts and sneezes carry terror into their souls. 



