LEAPING 155 



down until help arrives, so that he can- 

 not strike her, as he might do, because 

 of the limited space, in his struggles to 

 get up. 



In a stream, if she has preserved her 

 seat, she must keep the horse moving, or 

 he will be inclined to lie down. 



If she has been thrown into the water, 

 she must obtain a hold on the saddle 

 and the reins, but use only the for- 

 mer to support herself until the horse 

 reaches the shore. 



In all of these events a cool head and 

 presence of mind will be of the greatest 

 assistance ; but when a horse turns com- 

 pletely over at a fence, or falls heavily 

 and without warning, to drop her stir- 

 rup, relax her muscles, and get clear of 

 him as best she may is all a woman can 

 do. 



Occasionally, after a number of jumps, 

 the girths become loosened and the sad- 



