24 LADIES ON HOESEBACK. 



in whose hand you place your left foot. 

 Have ready some signal sentence, as ** Make 

 ready, go !" or " one, two, three !" Im- 

 mediately upon pronouncing the last syllable 

 make your spring, and if your attendant does 

 his duty properly you will find yours If seated 

 deftly upon your saddle. 



As I have already stated, this requires 

 practice, and you must not be disappointed if 

 a week or so of failure ensues between trial 

 and success. 



As soon as you are firmly seated, take your 

 rein (which, as I have said, should be a single 

 one) and adjust it thus. Place the near side 

 under the Httle finger of your left hand, and 

 the off one between your first and second 

 fingers, bringing both in front toward the 

 right hand, and holding them securely in 

 their place with the pressure of your thumb. 

 This is merely a hint as to the simplest 

 method for a beginner to adopt, for there is 

 really no fixed rule for holding reins, nor must 

 you at all times hold them in one hand only, 

 but frequently — and always when hunting — 

 put both hands firmly to your bridle. Any- 



