The first operation preparatory to dismounting is, to bring the horse to
an easy yet perfect stop.
If the lady be light, and dexterous, she may dismount without
assistance.
The lady when preparing to dismount, should take the reins in her right
hand, and put the whip in her left. The reins should be held
sufficiently tight, to restrain the horse from advancing; and yet not so
firmly, as to cause him to back, rear, or swerve.
The lady should next disengage her right leg from the pommel clearing
her dress as she raises her knee; place her right hand on the near
crutch, and take her foot out of the stirrup.
If the lady be assisted, the gentleman taking her left hand in his left,
places his right hand under her left elbow, which she keeps firm to her
side; as she springs, he supports her in her descent, she retains hold
of the crutch or of the hunting pommel; as she quits the saddle, she
turns to face the gentleman, who stands near the horse's shoulder, and
alights on the ground on the balls of her feet.
If the lady dismount without assistance, after clearing her foot from
the stirrup, she places her right hand on the near crutch, and her left
upon the third crutch or hunting pommel, she must spring clear from the
saddle facing towards the horse's side as she descends. By whatever mode
the lady dismount, she should, to prevent an unpleasant shock on
reaching the ground bend her knees, suffer her body to be perfectly
pliant, and alight upon the balls of her feet; she is not to relinquish
her hold, nor the gentleman to withdraw his support, until she be
perfectly safe on the ground.