b EQUITATION. 



side ; but never behind him, lest he should kick 

 at her. 



There should be two persons In attendance, the 

 groom should stand before the horse's head, with a 

 hand on each side of the bridles-close to his mouth, 

 to keep him steady ; the gentleman takes the reins 

 in his left hand, separating them with his forefin- 

 gers, the lady receives them in her right hand, in 

 like manner, and lets them glide gently and evenly 

 through her fingers, until her hand reaches the 

 near crutch, which she takes hold of; and having 

 passed the whip over the saddle, she holds it also in 

 her right hand. Standing close to the near side 

 of the saddle, and facing the gentleman who has 

 taken a lock of the mane in his left hand, the lady 

 places her left foot, which he stoops to receive, full 

 in his right hand, lets the habit fall from her left 

 hand, which she places upon his right shoulder, 

 leaning thereon, and assisted by her hold on the 

 crutch, she springs up from her right instep, as 

 uprightly as possible, having been careful not to 

 place her left foot too far forward, but keeping it 

 directly under her, she straightens her left knee 

 and assumes an upright position ; the gentleman, 

 when he feels her spring, accelerates the move- 

 ment, by simultaneously lifting his hand high 

 enough, to place the lady on the saddle, she stea- 

 dying herself, by the hold she has with her right 



