74 The Art of Biding. 



acquire the habit, as nothing looks more ungainly 

 than to see a gentleman bump himself, as it were, 

 into the saddle. It conveys the impression that 

 he is a novice at riding ; and shows a disregard of 

 that unity of propriety which characterises the 

 accompUshed horseman. Let all your movements 

 be calm and deliberate; and if your horse is 

 fidgety, and will not stand still, soothe and quiet 

 him with voice and hand, until he will allow you 

 to mount him without moving a leg. This may 

 require time, and the exercise of much patience 

 and forbearance; but success will ultimately 

 reward your efiforts, and your control over him 

 will be correspondingly great. 



I cannot too strongly impress upon riders the 

 great importance of persevering, quietly but firmly, 

 in teaching and compelling the horse to do what 



