FALLING. 177 



prepare yourself for possible contingencies when going at 

 the jump by allowing your body, from the waist upwards, 

 to lie back almost to the croup, while you deal out un- 

 limited rein, and keep your seat as firmly as any rock. In 

 this way you cannot possibly be pulled over the animal's 

 head, and by leaving him plenty of bridle you will still 

 further stave off the probability of mischance. 



When a horse falls with you into water, stick to him if 

 you possibly can, and clutch firmly by his mane, while 

 leaving him the entire length of the bridle. If you happen 

 to come right off, keep alongside of him as well as you are 

 able, retaining a light hold of the rein, and assisting your- 

 self by the saddle, the stirrup, or any other thing that may 

 present itself, provided it does not in any respect hamper 

 his movements or interfere with his mouth. I strongly 

 advocate keeping the bridle in your hand if you can possibly 

 manage it, but you should not on any account make use of 

 it as a means of support. To do so will be to drag your 

 horse's head under water, a thing involving very serious 

 results. So long as you leave an animal abundant room to 

 stretch his neck he will not drown, even in the deepest 

 river, and if you keep a cool head, and assist yourself by 

 the saddle until you can lay hold of some side bushes, or 

 until assistance shall arrive, neither will you, however near 

 it you may fancy yourself to be. 



When a horse falls with you into a ditch and immediately 

 regains his footing without unseating you, do not allow 

 him to essay getting out at the same spot at which he 

 bungled, for probably the bank may be rotten, or broken 



N 



