268 THE AMERICAN HORSEWOMAN. 



scribed for the standing leap. In the flying leap 

 the body must be inclined well back from the 

 start, care being taken not to make any forward 

 inclination whatever. When the horse has fairly 

 landed, after the leap, the body must again be- 

 come erect. The degree of the backward incli- 

 nation must be in accordance with the height 

 and width of the leap. During the whole period 

 of the leap the hands must be kept low and the 

 reins be freely given to the animal, which must 

 be supported as he lands on the opposite side. 

 As the horse runs toward the object to be leaped 

 over, the rider must, when about twelve or fif- 

 teen yards from it, gradually relax the reins, by 

 advancing her bridle hand or hands ; and, if her 

 horse be a willing and good leaper, he may be 

 allowed to select his own pace, and use his own 

 judgment as to the proper distance from which 

 to make the spring. 



If the horse be unused to leaping, or be un- 

 willing, the rider must be upon her guard lest 

 he attempt to defend himself and avoid the leap, 

 either by suddenly swerving to one side or by 

 stopping before the object to be leaped and then 

 backing, or rearing. These actions are gener- 

 ally the result of the horse's want of confidence 

 in his own powers, and severity will only make 

 matters worse. In a dilemma of this kind, the 



