54 



this fashion, lies in the possibility of releasing it instantly by simply 

 opening- the hand, if a sudden movement of the horse should require it, 

 while the repeated twisting of the hair around the thumb may cause 

 entanglement. 



The pupil will now step backward toward the horse's head, suffici- 

 ently to permit the raising in a stretched position of the left leg, of 

 which the foot is placed fully into the stirrup from the outside, that is 

 the opening turned away from the horse, The latter movement should 

 be executed -without the aid of the right hand. 



The rider's body is now swung around before the saddle, by aid of 

 the hold on the mane and a spring from the right foot, and the right 

 hand grasps the cantle of the saddle in the middle, opposite the pommel. 



The left knee rests against the saddle flap and the lower part of the 

 leg is in a perpendicular position, parallel with the right leg. 



A spring from the right foot, assisted by a slight pull from both 

 hands, brings the rider in a standing position upon the left stirrup, 

 where he assumes an erect attitude, dividing his weight upon both 

 hands and the stirrup. The rising into this position should be done 

 quickly and chiefly by springing from the right foot, in order to pre- 

 vent displacement of the saddle or disturbance in the equilibrium of the 

 horse. 



The right hand is now carried forward to the beginning of the sad- 

 dle puff, to the right of the pommel, thtts keeping the saddle in its place, 

 and the right leg is raised straight and side wise above the height of the 

 horses back, then passed over the same down to the right saddle flap, 

 where the rider pauses for a moment and then gently lowers himself 

 into the seat. 



Falling into the saddle will startle young, nervous or sensitive 

 animals, cause them to rush f orward and eventually make them rear ; 

 at all events it will inspire them with anything but confidence in the 

 rider, and in some instances it will require days, to overcome the fear 

 caused thereby, particularly -with colts, or horses with weak backs. 



Upon being seated, the right foot takes the stirrup in the manner 

 described for the left one and the mane is then dropped by partly open- 

 ing and raising the left hand and brushed down smoothly with the 

 right. "*> 



The right hand grasps the right rein from above, inserting the 

 fingers between the rein and the horses neck, the back of the hand 

 turned to the latter, where upon the reins are separated and the ends 

 turned over the index finger of each hand and the thumb being laid 

 over the ends to prevent slipping. 



The original position of the hands is the perpendicular one and the 

 one most natural if the arm is carried resting against the body just be- 

 fore the hips and from the elbow forward. 



The measurement of the stirrup as described before mounting is 

 usually, but not always correct and depends upon the length of the leg, 

 in proportion to that of the arm. 



