USUAL OR INSTINCTIVE EQUITATION 



assistant, standing at the horse's left haunch, takes 

 her left hand in his right, and aids her also with his 

 own left, as she slips to the ground, still helped by 

 her right hand on the second fork. An agile woman 

 can dismount thus without assistance. 



Dismounting, like mounting, should be done de- 

 cisively, but without abruptness. 



It is at the act of mounting that the horse first 

 feels the ability of the rider, her confidence, and her 

 skill. Baucher and Fillis always trained their 

 horses before letting them be mounted by their 

 women pupils. I myself often let mine begin with 

 horses that have been merely broken; and I have 

 always been successful. 



THE HORSEWOMAN'S POSITION 



THE woman rider, mounted, should carry her head 

 straight and free, turning it easily in any direction 

 without affecting the body. 



The eyes look straight to the front between the 

 horse's ears, and always in the direction in which 

 the animal is going. 



The body above the waist is erect and mobile. 

 Below the waist, it is firm, but without being 

 stiff. 



The shoulders are well back and on the same 

 line. 



The arms fall naturally, the forearms are bent, 

 and the elbows are held close to the body, but not 

 stiffly, 



34 



