HOW TO RIDE. 



BY THOMAS CLARK. 



LEARNING TO MOUNT. 



After the pupil has taken a few lessons and been 

 made acquainted with the fitting of the bridle and saddle, 

 the next thing to do is to learn to mount his horse from 

 the ground, as I strongly condemn mounting blocks, and 

 as you cannot take them along with you, or find them on 

 every roadside, it will be the best plan to learn to mount 

 your horse from the ground. 



When a man mounts his horse, he should take all the 

 reins in the left hand, that is the right snaffle rein between 

 the first and second fingers, the left snaffle rein held in the 

 palm of the hand, three fingers dividing the reins, the 

 curb reins should be held next each other, near the centre 

 of the hand, between the second and third fingers, then 

 place your reins neatly together, between finger and 

 thumb, and let the end of the reins fall over towards the 

 right side, the next thing to do, is to grasp a lock of the 

 horse's mane with the left hand, about twelve inches from 

 the saddle, now stand with your chest facing the left 



