66 RIDING OVER FENCES. 



his body. I make this remark merely in passing, as I am 

 well aware that nothing but long practice will enable 

 the rider to acquire the necessary power of balance to 

 do so. However, the better he understands what he 

 ought to learn, the quicker will he profit by practical 

 instruction on horseback. As long as a man keeps his 

 feet and legs in proper position, I cannot see how he can 

 lean too far back on landing over a fence. Besides 

 obtaining safety for himself, he will, by leaning back, 

 reduce, very considerably, the jar on the horse's fore 

 legs. Leaning back, however, is of no use, unless the 

 rider draws his feet back at the same time. 



When a horse goes up to a fence prepared to jump 

 in proper form, his hind quarters will be well under 

 him, and his loins will be slightly arched, ready to 

 make their effort. When he thus " collects " himself, 

 he will draw in his head and neck a little, so that 

 the position of the spinal column may assist the 

 action of the limbs. When the horse, on the contrary, 

 lands, — unless he comes down on all fours like a stag 

 over a paling, as some Irish horses do over a wall,— 

 the head and neck will be more or less fully extended. 

 Hence, a man, when going at a fence, should ride with 

 a long rein, so that he may not run the risk of interfering 



