126 STABLE MANUAL AND HORSE DOCTOR 



time placing the bottom of the stirrup-iron under the left 

 arm-pit ; then extend the left arm until the fingers of that 

 hand easily touch the stirrup buckles ; this is a sure 

 criterion with most people." 



The Bridle is put on with the curb bit so placed that the 

 mouthpiece in horses is no more than an inch above the 

 tush of the lower jaw ; in mares two inches above the 

 corner teeth is the distance. The bridoon should just touch 

 the angles of the mouth, so as to sit easy, with drawing 

 them up. The headstall should be parallel to the pT'ojectioa 

 of the cheek-bone, and not lie over or upon it. The nose- 

 band is better placed low, and should not be buckled tight. 

 The curb, when properly fitted, should lie flat and smooth 

 in the hollow of the lips, so as to allow the finger to be 

 easily introduced between. 



MOUNTING AND DISMOUNTING. 



Directions for mounting must always be taken with an 

 allowance for the different relative heights of the horseman 

 and the animal he is to ride. We shall therefore merely 

 give such general instructions as apply to the medium size 

 in both biped and quadruped, and the average activity and 

 weight of gentlemen of the present day. When a horse is 

 intended to be mounted he should always be approached 

 quietly on the near (or left) side, and the reins gathered up 

 in the hand steadily. The snaffle rein (or bridoon) first ;, 

 then pass this rein along the palm of the left hand, between 

 the forefinger and thumb. The curb rein must now be 

 drawn over the little finger, and both reins being held of an 

 equal length, and having an even pressure on the horse's 

 mouth, must be laid over each other, and held firmly in the 

 hand ; the thumb pressing upon them to prevent them 

 slipping through the fingers. Be particular that the reins 

 are not taken up too short, lest it should cause the horse to 

 rear or run back ; they must be held neither too tight nor 

 too slack, but having an equal feeling of the horse's mouth. 

 Next take up a handful of the mane with the right hand, 

 bring it through the palm of the left hand, and twist it 

 round the thumb. Take hold of the stirrup with the right 

 hand, the thumb in front. Place the left foot in the stirrup 

 as far as the ball of it, placing the right hand on the cantle 

 (or back part of the saddle), and, by a spring of the right 



