The right hand, after quitting the mane, lays hold of the left stirrup,
the fingers being behind, and the thumb in front of it;--the left foot
is raised and put into the stirrup as far as the ball of it, Pl XXXV
f 2 the right foot is then moved until the rider’s face is turned to
the side of the horse, and looking across the saddle; while the right
hand is placed on the cantle, the left knee against the saddle on the
surcingle, with the left heel drawn back, to avoid touching the horse’s
side with the toe;--by a spring of the right foot from the instep,
not by any pull with the right hand, the rider raises himself in the
stirrup, the knees firm against the saddle, the heels together, but
drawn back a little, and the body erect, and partially supported by the
right hand Pl XXXVI f 1 the right hand moves from the cantle to the
pommel, and supports the body;--the right leg at the same time passes
clearly over the horse’s quarters to the off side;--the right knee
closes on the saddle; the body comes gently into it;--the left hand
quits the mane, and the right the pommel.
The left, or bridle hand, with the wrist rounded outwards, is placed
opposite the centre of the body, and at three inches’ distance from
it;--the right hand is dropped by the side of the thigh;--the stirrup
is taken instantly with the right foot, without the help of hand or
eye;--the clothes are adjusted;--and the whip is exchanged from the
left hand to the right, being held with the lash upwards, but inclining
a little towards the left ear of the horse, and never leaving the right
hand, except while mounting or dismounting,--(Plate XXXVI. f. 2.)
The horse is to be accustomed to stand till the rider request him to
move. The habit of unsteadiness is acquired from grooms, who, on going
out to water and exercise, throw themselves over a horse from some
elevation, and give a kick to the animal even before being fairly upon
it. If a groom attend at mounting, he ought not to be suffered to
touch the reins, but only that part of the bridle which comes down the
cheek.
In dismounting, the whip is to be returned into the left hand;--the
right hand takes hold of the rein above the left;--the right foot
quits the stirrup;--the left hand slides forward on the rein, to
about twelve inches from the saddle, feeling the horse’s mouth very
lightly;--the right hand, dropping the reins to the off side, takes
a lock of the mane, brings it through the left, and twists it round
the left thumb;--the fingers of the left hand close on it;--the right
hand is placed on the pommel; the body being kept erect. The body is
supported with the right hand and left foot;--the right leg is, without
touching the horse’s hind-quarters or the saddle, brought gently to the
near side, with the heels close, care being take not to bend the right
knee, lest the spur should touch the horse;--the right hand passes at
the same time to the cantle, to preserve the balance, as in the act
of mounting;--the body is gently lowered until the right toe touches
the ground;--resting on the right foot, the left stirrup is quitted,
and the left foot placed in line with the horse’s hoofs;--the hands
remaining as in the former motion. Both hands then quit their holds of
the mane and cantle;--and the right hand lays hold of the snaffle rein
near the ring of the bit.
In mounting without stirrups,--after taking up the reins, instead of
seizing the mane, the rider lays hold of the pommel and cantle, and,
by a spring of both legs from the insteps, raises the body to the
centre of the saddle. By a second spring of both arms, the right leg is
carried over the horse, and the rider enters his proper seat by closing
the knees on the saddle, and sliding gently into it.
In dismounting without stirrups, on either side of the horse, the
rider throws the weight of the body on the hands placed on the pommel,
and, by a spring, raises the body out of the saddle before the leg is
brought over the horse.