Jumping 281 



Training the horse to go down what is almost a 

 precipice, a special feature of Italian show riding, 

 must be taught by degrees, the pace of the horse 

 and the slope and length of the declivity being in- 

 creased as the horse gets accustomed to balancing 

 himself. The Italians have now trained their horses 

 to go up a steep narrow bank, jump a wall on top, 

 and then immediately descend a steep incline. This 

 sounds alarming, but to a great extent careful train- 

 ing eliminates accidents. 



