LEAPING 129 



wise to save one's mount, as all his 

 strength may be needed at a big place 

 later on. Then the take-off must be 

 looked to, sound level turf being chosen 

 if possible ; and if the landing is plainly 

 visible, so much the better. A moder- 

 ately thick top rail is often safer to 

 put a horse at than a very thin round 

 one, which is liable to be a sapling, that 

 will not break if a horse tries to crash 

 through it, as he is sometimes tempted 

 to do by its fragile appearance. 



It is well to send a horse at the mid- 

 dle of a panel ; for, should he hit it, this, 

 being the weakest spot, may break, while 

 should he hit nearer the end, where it is 

 strong, he may be thrown. Such details 

 as these she will observe instinctively 

 with a little practice. Having decided 

 where she will jump, her horse's head 

 must be pointed straight at the place, 

 and her mind must not waver. If the 



