We Call It Mounting

Terence is not chewing.

Madame Ponty assumes he has finished his pancake.

Et maintenant! says Madame Ponty. Knee bends!

Terence tries a knee bend. 

He is more flexible than I expected, says Madame Ponty.

Yes, says Belle. He should have no trouble climbing onto a pony.

We call it mounting, says Madame Ponty.

Hear that Terence, says Belle. Mounting is the same as getting on.

It is not simply getting on, says Madame Ponty. There is a proper procedure.

I know, says Terence. You run up and jump on.

You don't, says Madame Ponty. The procedure is this. Left foot in the stirrup, holding the reins in your left hand, propel yourself up and over.

Okay, says Terence. Let's do it!

They go out to the field. Madame Ponty calls to the pony.

Buster! Come here!

Buster comes over. What has Terence done with the pancake?

Helmet! cries Madame Ponty. I forgot it. Wait here. Get acquainted. I'll be back in a minute.

Off she goes, for a helmet.

She comes back. Put this on, Terence, while I saddle him up.

She goes across to a shed for the saddle.

This is exciting, isn't it, says Belle.

It might not go smoothly, says Terence.

Buster nods. 

Yes, it might not go smoothly.

Why do you say that? asks Belle. 

The pancake, says Terence. 

You shouldn't have eaten it, says Belle.

Buster's eyes widen. My pancake!

What? says Terence. You didn't want it.

I do now, says Buster. Those were potato peelings. And they fell onto the ground. So now it's a normal pancake. Or it would be.

It still is, says Terence. It's just in my throat somewhere,

 Poor you! says Belle. Would you like me to try and extract it?

Too late, Madame Ponty has come back with the saddle. She puts it on Buster.

It takes ages. At last Buster is ready.

Prêt à monter, says Madame Ponty. Face this way, Terence.

Terence can't believe it. She is telling him to face towards Buster's bottom.

Ha ha, snorts Buster softly.

Pat him, to show that you're friendly, says Madame Ponty. Now, hold the reins, and place your foot in the stirrup.

Terence does it.

Now boost yourself up and throw your right leg over, says Madame Ponty.

Go on, snickers Buster.

Terence makes an effort.

I'll help you, says Madame Ponty.

Now Terence is on. Yippee! He is facing the right way as well. 

Sit up, shoulders back, says Madame Ponty. Relax. Grip the reins. Exert pressure with your legs and give a slight kick with your heels.

Terence is just trying to obey the first order (sit up) when Buster moves forward quite quickly. 

Very good! calls Madame Ponty.

I wasn't ready, says Terence.

Too bad. Now it's just you and me and the pancake, whinnies Buster.