PREPAllATORY LESSON. 19 



last, consequently he could not execute it. Here one 

 word replaces all those sentences; but we previously go 

 through a course of supplings. This course will make 

 the rider expert, and consequently intelligent. One 

 month will not elapse without the most stupid and awk- 

 ward recruit being able to seat himself properly without 

 the aid of the word of command. 



Preparatory lesson {the lesson to last an hour, tioo 

 lessons a day for a month). — The horse is led upon the 

 ground, saddled and bridled. The instructor must take 

 two pupils ; one will hold the horse by the bridle, all the 

 while watching what the other does, that he may be able 

 to perform in his turn. The pupil will approach the 

 horse's shoulder and prepare to mount ; for this purpose 

 he will lay hold of and separate, with the right hand, a 

 handful of mane, and pass it into the left hand, taking 

 hold as near the roots as possible, without twisting 

 them ; he will seize the pommel of the saddle with the 

 right hand, the four fingers in, and the thumb outside; 

 then springing lightly, will raise himself upon his wrists. 

 As soon as his middle is the height of the horse's with- 

 ers, he will pass the right leg over the croup, without 

 touching it, and place himself lightly in the saddle. This 

 vaulting being very useful in making the man active, he 

 should be made to repeat it eight or ten times, before 

 letting him finally seat himself. The repetition of this 

 will soon teach him what he is able to do, using the 

 powers of his arms and loins. 



Exercise iyi the saddle. — (This is a stationary exercise 

 on horseback ; an old, quiet horse to be chosen in pref- 

 erence ; the reins are knotted, and hang on his neck.) 

 The pupil being on horseback, the instructor will exam- 

 ine his natural position, in order to exercise more fre- 

 quently those parts which have a tendency to give way 



