390 RIDING 



so intent on holding on that he does not hear a word you say.. 

 (Of course he is supposed to be on a horse that knows his work, 

 and will jump quietly and not hurry.) When the horse rises he 

 should lean the body a little forward, but as a general rule 

 beginners are apt to lean too much forward, and as all the spring 

 of the horse comes from the hind quarters, it is most necessary 

 that the body should be inclined backwards as the horse springs 

 forward. He must not be allowed to hold on by the reins,, 

 as by so doing he not only punishes the horse and perhaps 

 makes him refuse, but also by feeling the rein as the horse rises 

 he causes him to jump far more awkwardly than he would if 

 allowed his head. The seat should be retained by the knee 

 and thigh, and as far below the knee as the top of the calf of the 

 leg. Nearly every one in learning to jump has a tendency 

 when the horse rises to raise his hands and open his legs, which 

 of course is the very opposite of what he should do ; for by 

 raising the hands the reins are shortened, and by opening the 

 legs the horse is allowed to jump from under his rider. The 

 horse should be quietly collected to a steady pace again after 

 jumping, but care must be taken not to check him suddenly 

 or too soon. If the pupil be at all nervous, the best plan 

 before letting him try, and perhaps giving him a fall, is to dis- 

 mount him and put some one else up so as to let him see 

 exactly what he has to do and how to do it. 



LESSON XXVII 



Begin again with an hour outside, and then finish up as 

 yesterday with a little practice in leaping. The pupil must be 

 careful not to allow the horse to hurry, but keep a steady pace ; 

 a collected canter is the easiest. When once he gets into the 

 way of it, the hands must be kept down, and the thigh and knee 

 closed firmly to the saddle. The body should be supple from 

 the loins ; anything in the way of stiffness is to be avoided. 

 The stirrup should be kept under the seat, as by getting the leg 

 too far forward the rider is apt to kick his horse in the shoulder ; 



