THE TRIMER. 45 



same time, so that there shall be no tension upon 

 the reins. As the horse gives the spring from 

 its hind-quarters, the rider should drop his hands 

 and lean back, quietly resuming the erect position 

 when the hind-feet of the horse have reached 

 the ground. These movements of the rider's 

 body must not affect the grasp or the position 

 of the knee and thighs, and the lower parts of 

 the legs must be kept back until the jump is 

 finished. 



As the horse alisfhts the rider will resume 

 the tension of the reins, and be ready to give the 

 animal a firm support if it be required. But 

 in takine ' touch ' of the horse's mouth there 

 must be no violence, and in giving support the 

 horse must not be hampered or harassed. 



An attendant should, in the first lesson, direct 

 the movements of the horse with a leading rein, 

 so that the beginner may devote his attention 

 to the positions of his body and extremities. 

 After having taken a few leaps with the leading 

 rein the rider should be left to himself, so that 

 he may learn to collect the horse for the leap. 

 This collecting will be accomplished by gentle 

 vibrations of the reins, and such pressures of 

 the rider's legs as are required to make the 

 horse g-ather itself for the exertion. There 



