GRACEFUL RIDING. 41 



LEAPING. 



Much depends upon the manner of bringing a 

 horse up to the leap ; he should be taken up straight 

 and steady to it, with the reins held in each hand — 

 they must be kept low, with the cwr^-rein held 

 loosely. The rider's body should be kept erect, pliant, 

 and easy in its movements. As the animal is in the 

 act of rising in his leap and coming again to the 

 ground, the rider's body must be well thrown back. 



The sitting of a leap, icell, is entirely dependent 

 upon the proper balance of the body ; thereby the 

 weight is thrown correctly into the saddle, and thus 

 meets the horse's movements. 



THE STANDING LEAP. 



Let the rider take up his horse at an animated 

 pace, halt him with a light hand upon his haunches ; 

 when rising at the leap, the rider should only just 

 feel the reins, so as to prevent them becoming slack, 

 when he springs forward, yielding them without re- 

 serve ; as, at the time, the horse must be left quite 

 at liberty. As the horse's hind feet come to the 

 ground, the rider must again collect him, resume his 

 usual position, and move on at the same pace. His 

 body must be inclined forward as the horse rises, 

 and backwards as he alights. 



