PRACTICAL HINTS. 



^91 



Fie. 357.— -Position in Mounting. 



near, and put the left foot in the stirrup. Grasp the horse's mane 



with the rein hand, the pommel of the saddle with the other, give a 



spring with the right foot, and vault into the saddle, throwing the 



leg back and over the horse. 



Now rest the balls of the 



feet in the stirrup, and close 



the knees against the horse 



to keep a firm seat while 



trotting fast. 



It is impossible to ride 



really well on an average 



horse without a curb bit ; 



but it is impossible to ride 



Well on any horse unless the 



curb bit is properly made 



and adjusted. And no ,one 



can either ride with pleasure 



Or become really a good 



horseman on a horse that is in constant pain from an ill-fitting bit. 

 The beginner should use the reins of the snaffle only, grasping 



a rein in each hand at a length that will give him command of the 



horse. The proper manner of holding the reins, is, however, in the 



left hand, the curb reins divided by the little finger, the snaffle reins 



divided by the middle finger, the ends of both sets carried up 

 through the hand and secured 

 by the thumb, which should 

 be uppermost, and pointed to 

 the ears of the horse. By 

 bending the wrist to the right, 

 so that the knuckles come 

 uppermost, the horse is 

 turned to the right. By bend- 

 ing the wrist to the left, so 

 that the finger-nails come up- 

 permost, the horse will be 

 turned to the left. There 



should never be tension on the two bits at the same time. The 



horse should be ridden upon the curb ; the snaffle should be used 



to fix the hight of the head, and occasionally to take the place of the 

 curb to freshen the mouth. 



Particular attention should be given to having the saddle 

 adapted to the size of the person who is to use it. If it is too large 



Fig. 358.— Army Bit. 



Fig. 359.— Ordinary Bit. 



