124 HORSE MANAGEMENT IN INDIA. 



level ground with equal indifference inspires his horse 

 with confidence to take things in the same spirit. 



When riding across country, the horseman should have 

 both hands on the reins, and when taking a fence, should 

 sit down and lean back, so as to reduce the jar on the 

 fore-legs, and to be able to catch hold of the horse's 

 head in case he tries to refuse at the last moment, or 

 makes a mistake. 



When taking off, the rider should interfere with the 

 horse's head as little as possible, but, as he leans back in 

 the saddle, he should feel the reins, so as to prevent him 

 from landing " all abroad." A touch of the spurs, or cut 

 of the whip close behind the girths may be required 

 to make the horse extend himself or jump big enough. 



Over fences, a man should always keep his hands 

 down, and should on no account chuck them up, for this 

 would raise the head, an action that would prevent the 

 horse from using the muscles of his loins and hind 

 quarters, to the best advantage, on landing and in 

 getting into his stride again, or in the event of mak- 

 ing a mistake. 



When the rider can take his own time over jump- 

 ing, the old axiom of riding a horse slow at timber, 

 i. e. } any high obstacle, and fast at water, i. e., any broad 

 place, holds good ; but in steeple chasing, a great deal 

 has to be left to the honor of the horse, while the 

 jockey does his part by sitting still and keeping a 

 good hold of his animal's head. 



Over post and rails, the horseman should always 

 ride at the former, in preference to the latter, as it is 

 by far the easier of the two for the horse to see. When 



