THE-:- HORSE 



seen that long stirrups would be disadvanta- 

 geous to a rider in such circumstances. 



Most persons, who give the matter consid- 

 eration at all, prefer to fall from the left side 

 of a horse, since it gives greater scope for 

 agility. 



The most important principle to be observed 

 in falling from a horse with the minimum risk 

 of injury to the rider, is that of allowing one's 

 muscles to relax, and rolling as far as possible, 

 either as a result of the impetus given to the 

 rider by the animal, or by the use of the rider's 

 own energy. If possible, the rider should let 

 himself slip down slowly at first, until his 

 body is near the ground, and then throw him- 

 self with all his force for the purpose of rolling. 

 In this way injury from the horse's hoofs or 

 falling body can best be avoided. 



If the horse falls over backward, the rider 

 should jump forward on the left side from his 

 near stirrup at the moment of the horse irrevo- 

 cably losing its balance. If the horse falls on 

 his head, the rider, without resistance, should 

 allow himself to be projected forward out of 

 the saddle, and add in any way possible to the 

 natural impetus the horse has given him 

 towards rolling. 



If the horse falls on his right side, the right 

 leg from the knee to the heel should be thrown 

 upward and toward the back of the horse. The 



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