And as he gets a bit slack from trotting, the girths do not inconvenience him when I mount. I always carry out this procedure when mounting a difficult horse for the first time.

Grooms are in the habit of girthing up their horses very tightly, and it would be contrary to a knowledge of the weaknesses of human nature to think that they would give up this practice on the very day when I try to succeed at what they have failed to do. On that day they girth up more tightly than ever. They know that the tighter a horse is girthed up the more he will plunge, and therefore they feel certain that they will presently have the innocent pleasure of seeing me chucked over the ears of the horse. Nevertheless I encourage them to girth up more tightly, and after they have squeezed him as tightly as they can I take him by the bridle, walk him about for a few minutes, and the moment before putting my foot in the stirrup I let out the girths one or two holes. I am then in the saddle, and the animal gives a great sigh of relief, which for the moment prevents him from thinking of playing up.

I never allow my horses to be held when mounting them. All horses become quiet if not held, and they will gain confidence if we mount and dismount several times consecutively, while patting them on the neck. We ought to mount as quietly and lightly as possible. Above all things, we ought to avoid bustling the horse when starting ; because, if he expects we are going to do this, he will never stand quietly to be mounted.

I never require anything from the horse which I mount for the first time. I am content if he walks straight on. I keep the reins separated, I feel only those of the snaffle, and I never touch the horse with the spurs for the first few lessons. I ride him a few times round the school to the right and to the left, while leaving him as free as possible, supposing, of