44 MODERN HORSEMANSHIP. 



the leaps ; and whenever he finds that at a certain 

 height his seat is disturbed, he should lower the 

 bar to a point that permits him to keep his posi- 

 tion in every particular. 



It will not be necessary for the rider to confine 

 himself to the standing leap until he is perfect 

 at the highest limit I have placed, but he certainly 

 should not take the flying leap until he can keep 

 his seat in the standing leap over a bar thirty 

 inches high ; and this leaping from the halt should 

 be practised until he can ride the horse over the 

 bar at a height of three and a half feet, which is 

 quite high enough to test both rider and horse. 



In taking the leap from a halt, the beginner 

 should hold a snaffle rein in each hand ; this will 

 teach him to hold both hands in front of the 

 body, and keep him straight in his seat. He 

 must avoid stiffening himself as the horse prepares 

 to leap : the feet should be carried to the rear, 

 without disturbing the grasp of the knees, so that 

 the seat may not be forced by a direct bearing 

 on the stirrups. The thighs should close against 

 the horse, and the knees must not be allowed to 

 go back as the horse rises, or to come up as the 

 leap is finished. 



As the horse rises for the leap the rider 

 should lean forward, yielding the hands at the 



