THE BARB AND THE BRIDLE. Ill 



left round the school ; and for this purpose the hurdle or bar 

 should for the time be removed, so as to enable the lady to get her 

 horse into a good free stride. AVhen the instructor sees that she 

 has her horse in proper form, the hurdle should be put up again 

 and well sloped, because, even so, the horse will jump considerably- 

 higher in all probability than the rider expects. 



This is the moment at which the master requires to be thoroughly 

 on the alert. He should caution the lady not to let her horse hurry 

 when he turns the corner and sees the hurdle, which many horses are 

 very apt to do. "Hands down," "Sit back," " Press him against 

 your hand," and the "Now!" at the right moment should be the 

 concise words, given in a tone at once lively and encouraging. The 

 result will be a clean, clever jump, well done by horse and rider, 

 when the former should be " made much of." 



A couple or three leaps so executed are quite enough in a school, 

 because nothing so worries most horses as to keep them continually 

 jumping at the same place, and if the leap is too often repeated, 

 they are apt to sulk or blunder at it. 



Within the walls of a good riding house almost every kind of 

 obstacle can be represented which can be met with out of doors. 

 The double, the artificial brook or painted wall, all give the pupil 

 sufficient insight into the form in which a well-taught horse will 

 negotiate any of the fences to be met with in the hunting field ; and 

 the lady should be carefully taught how to stop and steady her horse 

 at a crooked or cramped place. 



When once the leaping lessons are commenced, one should be 

 given every day, either before or after the riding out. If the ride 

 is intended to be a long one, the jmnping should be done while the 

 horse is fresh, and has all his powers in hand. 



When the pupil can do the standing and flying leap, the in and 

 out or double in good form, riding on the snafile, she should again 

 return to her double bridle, which should be fitted with a curb chain 

 with broad links ; and the whole of it should be well padded and 

 covered with soft leather, to prevent any jar upon the horse's mouth 

 in jumping. The reins should be separated and placed as for gallop- 

 ing, the greatest care being taken by the instructor that the curb is 



