262 THE AMERICAN HORSEWOMAN. 



the saddle as the pommels will permit, the waist 

 and shoulders only being inclined backward, as 

 already described. 



Pressing heavily upon the stirrup is another 

 fault. This not only destroys the usefulness of 

 the third pommel, but, as has already been re- 

 marked, such pressure will tend to lift the body 

 from the saddle. The foot should merely be 

 kept light and steady in the stirrup. 



It will be better for a beginner to leap with a 

 snaffle-rein in each hand. After having thor- 

 oughly learned how to make the leap properly, 

 she may then prefer to hold all the reins in the 

 left hand. In this case, she must be very care- 

 ful not to throw up the unoccupied right hand 

 and arm as the horse passes over the obstacle ; 

 for, besides being a very ungraceful movement, 

 it may lead the horse to suppose that he is 

 about to be struck with the whip, and so cause 

 him to make the leap precipitately, and upon 

 reaching the ground to gallop wildly off. 



The rider must hold her head firm, not only 

 for the sake of appearances, but also to escape 

 biting her tongue and receiving a violent jerk 

 of the neck, when the horse's feet touch the 

 ground. 



If a horse, just before leaping, be too much 

 confined or collected by an unnecessary degree 



