8 BEGINNING TO RIDE. 



be carried forward. He will then, though probably able to 

 preserve his balance while the horse is going straight on at a 

 uniform pace, be almost certain to roll off, if the animal 

 suddenly slackens its speed, turns sharply, or makes any un- 

 expected movement. His fall in any of these cases will be 

 accelerated by the fact of his holding on in front ; but would 

 be more or less checked by his grasping the cantle, which 

 is, after all, but a choice between two evils, and should there- 

 fore be avoided if possible. 



