assistant, standing at the horse's left haunch, takes her left hand in his right, and aids her also with his own left, as she slips to the ground, still helped by her right hand on the second fork. An agile woman can dismount thus without assistance.
Dismounting, like mounting, should be done decisively, but without abruptness.
It is at the act of mounting that the horse first feels the ability of the rider, her confidence, and her skill. Baucher and Fillis always trained their horses before letting them be mounted by their women pupils. I myself often let mine begin with horses that have been merely broken; and I have always been successful.
THE HORSEWOMAN'S POSITION
THE woman rider, mounted, should carry her head straight and free, turning it easily in any direction without affecting the body.
The eyes look straight to the front between the horse's ears, and always in the direction in which the animal is going.
The body above the waist is erect and mobile. Below the waist, it is firm, but without being stiff.
The shoulders are well back and on the same line.
The arms fall naturally, the forearms are bent, and the elbows are held close to the body, but not stiffly.
