48 LEAPING. 



view of the place he is to go over, which view 

 he takes in a twinkling. If space, the rider, 

 " giving the horse his head," and closing both 

 legs against him strongly, springs most easily 

 with the horse, and throwing back his shoulders 

 and bending his own loins, as the horse's feet 

 come to the ground, he retains his seat immo- 

 veable. 



On arriving perhaps on soft ground the 

 rider instantly lifts up the horse's head, to 

 lighten the fore-quarters, and again, but gently, 

 closes his legs on the horse's sides to bring in 

 the hind quarters strongly under him ; then 

 takes up the curb-rein and proceeds for a few 

 paces, if only for a lesson. 



A Standing Leap, or to leap over a height from 

 the standing position, the rider, with the bri- 

 doon, must lift up the horse's head, close both 

 legs upon him, and, as he rises on his haunches 

 for the leap, the rider should give him ample 

 room in the reins fully to extend his neck and 

 shoulders, and exert himself. As he makes 

 the spring, the rider (not moving from his seat) 

 must heave his own person with the horse, 



