BANKS AND ACCLIVITIES. 63 



resumed. In leaping double ditches with intervening 

 bank, spring the horse to the top of the bank, and 

 instantly press him to leap the second ditch. Any 

 delay on the bank may be fatal to the second leap, 

 and the horse, instead of springing over the ditch, 

 may slide down or walk into it. In leaping steep 

 banks without an opposite ditch, spring the horse to the 

 top of the bank, and, bearing firmly upon the mouth, 

 allow him to slide down upon his haunches. In a 

 country abounding with steep banks, this method tends 

 much to economise the powers of the horse. In 

 leaping down from a steep bank, or in leaping from 

 high to very low ground, the rider must take care 

 to throw his body backwards to the horse's croup, 

 closing his legs very firmly to the sides, and having 

 his feet well underneath ; and, if necessary, he may 

 seize the cantle of the saddle with the right hand, lest 

 the weight of his body be thrown forward at the 

 moment of landing, and thus overbalance the strength 

 of the horse. In ascending acclivities, the rider must 

 lean well forward, and, if necessary, cling round the 

 neck of the horse, without having any bearing upon 

 the bridle at all. In ascending a steep bank from 

 water, cease to bear upon the reins, and twist a lock 



