32 ROAD, PARK, AND SCHOOL 



It is not 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 

 undertake the flying leap until he can keep his seat 

 at the standing leap over a height of thirty inches ; 

 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, leaving the curb 

 reins upon the neck of the horse ; this will teach him 

 to hold both hands in front of the body, and to avoid 

 the habit of raising an arm as the horse rises. The 

 feet should be carried to the rear, so that the seat 

 may not be forced by a direct bearing upon the 

 stirrups. The thighs should close against the body 

 of 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 will lean 

 forward, yielding the hand at the same time, so that 

 there shall be no tension upon the reins. As the 

 horse gives the spring from his hind-quarters the 

 rider should drop his hands and lean back, gently 

 resuming the erect position when the hind-feet of 

 the horse have reached the ground. These move- 



