MODERN FARRIER. 237 



he must inevitably be thrown over his horse's head 

 by the jerk which he receives from the hind-quar- 

 ters. But, in leaning back, he should not disturb 

 his previous position on the saddle, for the bend 

 should be coiitined to the loins entirely. His arms 

 should also remain still and close to his sides ; and 

 the best way to teach this, and to prevent their 

 being raised up, is to oblige the rider to hold a 

 switch, or a hand-whip, under each arm, and not to 

 let them drop. The thighs and legs should be kept 

 in the same position, without grasping the horse's 

 sides, which only tends to render the shock more 

 violent. It is recommended by some sportsmen, to 

 touch the haunch of the horse gently with the whip 

 in passing the bar, in order to make him clear his 

 hinder legs with the address used by the cow, one 

 of the best standing leapers. 



The Irish horses are generally good leapers ; and 

 these are commonly short in the hind-quarter, and 

 down-rumped, or low in the croup, with their 

 hind-legs standing considerably under the body, 

 and their hocks close together, being what is called 

 cat-hammed. 



124. Riding a Race. 



The jockey seat on horseback differs materially in 

 position from that of the riding-school. The latter 

 is preserved by the balance or equipoise of the body, 

 solely ; the former by the firm grasp of the thighs, 

 and the knees particularly, confirmed by the oppo- 

 site directions of the knees and toes, the one turned 

 in, the other somewhat outv^^ards, and in a small de- 

 gree elevated. There must be a concentration of 

 muscular power and energy, in the rider's arms and 

 shoulders, and breast and knees, for the holding and 

 support of his horse. The spine or back-bone of 

 the jockey must always be prepared to bend in the 

 middle ; since in the horse's running, there is a ne- 



