THE PRIMER. 



CHAPTER v.— JUMPING. 



In order that he may acquire a firm seat, and 

 learn how to bend his body with the motions of 

 the horse, the beginner should practise leaping. 



The early lessons in leaping should be made 

 from a halt. The standing leap is more difficult 

 than the flying leap, but the former has fewer 

 dangers, and the rules for the seat may be more 

 properly observed. 



The beginner should be mounted upon a 

 steady horse, that jumps with willingness, and 

 at first the bar should not be hio^her than eio-h- 

 teen inches. As the rider acquires skill and 

 confidence, the bar should be raised by degrees, 

 until he can keep his seat while the horse leaps 

 the bar at an elevation of three and a half feet, 

 when he may be satisfied that he can sit the 

 horse in a flying leap over any obstacle that is 

 within the powers of the animal. But the beginner 

 must maintain his seat perfectly at each stage 

 before he undertakes to increase the height of 



