Purchase of this book includes free trial access to www.million-books.com where you can read more than a million books for free. This is an OCR edition with typos. Excerpt from book: PART II. OF MOUNTING, DISMOUNTING, ETC. CHAP. I. OF MOUNTING. Section I.?Preliminajy. The pupil should be brought forward by degrees, and with due preparation. Her lessons should be short and gentle, as well with a view to her gradual progress, as to prevent injury from too great exertion.‘ Some teachers so much regard this progression, that before they place a Lady on horseback, they make her execute, and that with facility, lessons with the bridle and saddie alone; and these occupy her attention several days. The early lessons are given with a snaffle bridle, on a well trained and steady horse. The first instructions are those of Mounting and Dismounting. Section II.?Of Mounting. Whatever the disposition of a horse may be, he should be approached apparently in good temper. Horses know by appearance whether the rider is angry or pleased, bold or timid, handy or awkward. A soothing tone of voice and caresses are pleasing; and to such as are unsteady, or have a dislike to be mounted, it helps to dispel their fears. Young horses especially should therefore be thus gently treated, and much encouraged. Before Mounting, it is proper to observe whether the saddle is rightly placed, the girths secure and not too tight (for many horses chapter{Section 4are apt to plunge when they are), the bridle fitly on, and the curb, when used, smoothly placed. Let the assistant adjust the reins of the bit smoothly, and of equal length, taking it up within the bridon rein, and dividing the reins with the forefinger of his left hand. The Lady receives the reins from him with her right hand, just before the pommel of the saddle, the whip being in.it, which passes over to the off side. The Lady puts her forefinger between the reins, gently letting them slip, n…
