l8o HOW TO EDUCATE HORSES. 



it allows the hand to be lower than the gentleman's 

 mode, and the ends of the reins fall better over the 

 habit. 



In mounting, the horse is held steadily, as for a 

 gentleman's use, taking care to keep him well up to 

 the place where the lady stands, from which he is very 

 apt to slide away. The gentleman assistant then 

 places his right hand on his right knee, or a little be- 

 low it, and receives the lady's left foot. Previously 

 to this she should have taken the rein in her right 

 hand, which is placed on the middle crutch; then, with 

 her left on the gentleman's shoulder, and her foot in 

 his hand, she makes a spring from the ground, and 

 immediately stiffens her left leg, using his hand, 

 steadied by his knee, as a second foundation for a 

 spring; and then she is easily lifted to her seat by the 

 hand following and finishing her spring with what lit- 

 tle force is required. As she rises, the hand still keeps 

 hold of the crutch, which throws the body sideways 

 on the saddle, and then she lifts her right knee over 

 the middle crutch. After this, she lifts herself up from 

 the saddle, and the gentleman draws her habit from 

 under her until smooth; he then places her left foot 

 in the stirrup, including with it a fold of her habit,, 

 and she is firmly seated, and should take her reins 

 and use them as directed for the gentleman. The 

 great mistake which is constantly made in mounting' 

 is in the use of the lady's knee, which should be care- 

 fully straightened the moment it can be effected; for 

 if kept bent it requires a great power to lift a lady' 

 into the saddle, whereas, with a good spring and a 

 straight knee, she ought to weigh but a few pounds 

 in the hand. 



The lady's seat is very commonly supposed to be a 

 weak one and to depend entirely upon balance, but 



