306 THE IMPROVED ART OF FARRIERY. 



receives from the hind-quarters. But in leaning back 

 he should not disturb his previous position on the sad- 

 dle, for the bend should be confined to the loins en- 

 tirely. His arms should also remain still and close to 

 his sides ; and the best way to teach this, and to pre- 

 vent their being raised up, is to oblige the rider to hold 

 a switch or a hand- whip, under each arm, and not to 

 let them drop. The thighs and legs should be kept 

 in the same position, without grasping the horse's 

 sides, which only tends to render the shock more vio- 

 lent. It is recommended by some sportsmen to touch 

 the haunch of the horse gently with the whip in 

 passing the bar, in order to make him clear his hinder 

 legs with the address used by the cow, one of the best 

 standing leapers. 



The Irish horses are generally good leapers ; and 

 these are commonly short in the hind -quarters, and 

 down-rumped, or low in the croup, with their hind- 

 legs standing considerably under the body, and their 

 liocks close together, being what is called cai- 

 hammed. 



Riding a Race. 



The jockey's seat on horseback differs matenaUv 

 in position from that of the riding- school. The latter 

 is preserved by the balance or equipoise of the body 

 solely ; the former by the firm grasp of the thighs, 

 and the knees particularly, confirmed by the opposite 

 directions of the knees and toes, the one turned in, 

 and the other somewhat outwards, and in a small de- 

 gree elevated. There must be a concentration of mus- 

 cular power and energy in the rider's arms and 

 shoulders, and breast and knees, for the holding and 



