EIDING 127 



foot from the instep, tbe rider should raise himself up in 

 the stirrup, then move the hand from tbe cantle to the 

 pommel, to support the body while tbe ris^bt leg passes 

 clearly over tbe horse's quarters ; the rider's right knee 

 closes on the saddle, and the body drops gently into it. The 

 left hand now quits the mane, and the second stirrup must 

 be taken without the help of eye or hand. 



The left hand (the bridle hand) must be placed with the 

 wrist rounded outwards, opposite the centre of the body, 

 and about three inches from it, letting the right arm drop 

 unconstrained by tbe side of the thigh. 



Mounting without stirrups while the horse is standing 

 still is effected as follows : The rider stands opposite the 

 saddle and takes hold of both the pommel and tbe cantle, 

 keeping the reins in tbe left hand at the same time, and in 

 the same manner as in ordinary mounting. Now spring 

 strongly from the ground, and by means of the spring, 

 aided by tbe arms, raise the body above the saddle ; then 

 twist tbe leg over, whilst the right hand is shifted to the 

 right side of the pommel, and by means of both hands 

 the body is steadied into the saddle. Mounting without 

 stirrups may, by ver}^ active men, be effected while the 

 horse is going on, much in the same way as is seen con- 

 stantly in the circus. The rider runs by the side of the 

 horse, laying hold of the pommel of the saddle with both 

 hands strongly, and allowing him to drag him along for 

 two or three very long steps, he suddenly springs from the 

 ground and is drawn into the saddle. This feat is seldom 

 achieved by the ordinary equestrian ; but it is easier than 

 it looks, and in riding to hounds is sometimes of great 

 service with a fidgety horse. 



Dismounting is effected by first bringing tbe horse to a 

 standstill ; then shorten the left hand on the reins till it 

 lies on the withers, with a steady feel of the mouth, twist a 

 lock of the mane on the finger, and bold it with the reins ; 

 bearing also on the pommel with the heel of the hand. 

 Next throw the right foot out of the stirrup, and lift the 

 body, steadied by the left hand, and borne by the left foot, 

 until it is raised out of the saddle ; throw gently tbe right 

 leg over the cantle, and as it passes it grasp this part with 

 the right hand ; then lower the body gently to the ground 

 by tbe aid of the two hands and the left foot; or if it is a 

 very short person and a tall horse, by raising the body out 



