110 THE BAKB AND THE BRIDLE. 



master should stand far enough from her to obtain a good view of 

 the whole contour of figure of horse and rider. He should place the 

 hands of the latter icell apart, cause her to shut her fingers firmly 

 on the reins, which give firmness to the body ; keep her hands well 

 down and her figure well drawn up, ready on the instant to throw 

 the weight back. He should then caution her to execute the last- 

 named movement on his giving the single sliarp word " IS^ow." The 

 pupil should then press her horse Avell up against her hand, and keep 

 his head steady and straight to the bar. The instant he rises the 

 instructor should give his word sharply, and the rider will then 

 catch the true time at which to act upon it. This requires only close 

 attention and watching by instructor and pupil, both being " vif " 

 and thoroughly on the alert. After a few efforts the lady is then 

 sure to find out the time without any word. I have taught a great 

 many very yoimg ladies as well as gentlemen to ride over a fence by 

 the aid of the word given in the above form, and have found it 

 always of the greatest assistance both to myself and pupils. Special 

 attention is necessary to keeping the hands well down and well apart, 

 and the shoulders quite square, because there is a natural tendency 

 on the part of most ladies in the first leaping lessons to throw the 

 right shoulder forward, which not only destroys her balance but 

 causes her to pull the horse's head to the near side. The hands 

 cannot be kept too quiet at first, for any effort to give and take to 

 the action of the horse is nearly certain to result in the pupil check- 

 ing him at the very moment he springs forward, and pulling him 

 upon his fence. 



A well-broken horse, when put up to his bridle, will take a good 

 hold of the rider's hand, and if sufficient length of rein is given him 

 will clear the bar without the necessity of the rider moving her 

 hands a hair's breadth. Subsequently, when she has had sufficient 

 practice to feel quite at home, she can be taught how to assist liim 

 when he does a long striding leap over water or a strong double 

 fence with ditches on both sides. 



After the standing leap is executed neatly, and in good form by 

 rider and horse, the flying leap should at once be practised. 



The pupil should put her horse into a steady canter, going to the 



