FALLS. 



ThkrE is about as much art in falling as in 

 riding. Unfortunately, there is but one way of 

 becoming an ''adept," and that is by practice. 

 But little advice can be given. Some say stick- 

 on to the last ; others, clear yourself for action the 

 moment you feel a fumble. If your stirrup safety 

 bars are in good working condition and your 

 horse makes a bungle of his jump or comes down 

 upon his knees in landing, kick your feet loose 

 from the stirrups, grasp him by the mane, give 

 him his head, and scramble astride along with 

 him, and when he rises you will be surprised to 

 find how often you come up with him probably 

 not in the saddle, but on him somewhere from 

 withers to croup. But should he unseat you, 

 throwing you over his head, keep going, rolling 

 or scrambling to keep ahead of him, for they fre- 

 quently make the second stumble in gathering 

 their hind legs under them. If you realize, how- 

 ever, that you are out of the seat and have no 

 chance to regain it, shrug the shoulders up close 

 around the neck and tuck your head. Do not 

 straighten or stiffen the body and limbs, but go 

 all in a heap, the same as you have seen many 



SI 



