USUAL OR INSTINCTIVE EQUITATION 



The rider's left hand rests on the right shoulder of 

 the assistant. 



Thereupon, one or other of them counts one, 

 two, three; and at the last count the assistant lifts 

 with his extended right leg, bringing forward the 

 left foot beside the right, and supports the woman's 

 weight. She, on her side, taking this support, raises 

 herself, and pivoting sidewise, seats herself on the 

 saddle, both knees to the left. She then removes 

 her hand from the saddle fork, while at the same 

 time the assistant, taking her right boot in his left 

 hand, aids her in passing her right knee over this 

 second fork. When the right foot is in place, he 

 takes her left boot by the heel, turns forward the 

 stirrup, and helps to set the foot in place. In the 

 meantime the rider is adjusting her reins, holding 

 them either with one hand or both. Last of all, 

 the assistant helps with the complexities of elastics 

 and straps, and hands the rider her whip. 



All this must be done deliberately and precisely, 

 without either abruptness or hesitation. If the 

 rider's left boot is armed with a spur, she must 

 warn her assistant. 



Young pupils in the riding-schools commonly 

 mount from a block. This is a mistake at the begin- 

 ning, though well enough later, after they have 

 learned to mount from the ground. The fault is 

 that of the riding-master who neglects his duty as 

 a teacher. Boys of fourteen should be taught to 

 assist a lady in mounting; and I do not hesitate to 



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