The Seat. 



assistant a groom who has his wits about him, 

 but over whom you have complete authority. 

 Have your mount led into a field or paddock, 

 if you have not access to a riding-house ; and 

 there, forgetting all other cares and consider- 

 ations whatever, fix your whole attention upon 

 the single object of keeping steadily and com- 

 fortably astride upon your saddle. 



I say keeping astride your saddle, because 

 I intend to let you get into it and out of it as 

 you can. You are probably acquainted with 

 the ordinary method of mounting and dis- 

 mounting ; and if you are not, you can easily 

 find it out for yourself. The only advice 

 I have to give you is to acquire the habit 

 of getting on and off your horse as smoothly 

 and quietly as possible. I ought, however, to 

 mention, that M. Baucher recommends the 

 horseman to seize the pommel of the saddle 

 before he springs from the ground, instead of 

 laying his hand upon the cantle and shifting 

 his grasp as he throws his leg over. The 

 suggestion, so far as I can venture to judge 

 of it by my own experience, is one of little 

 importance. 



