40 EQUITATION. 



Leaps are of two kinds, the " standing" and the 

 "flying." In the standing leap, or leap over a 

 height from a standing position ; the horse raises 

 himself on his hind feet, and springs from his 

 hind legs, throwing himself over the object. The 

 flying leap, is taken from any pace, it differs from 

 the standing leap, principally in agility, and in 

 the horse being more extended in his movements. 



The position of the rider is to be governed in 

 this, as in all other cases, by the action of the 

 horse ; no weight should be borne on the stirrup, 

 the right leg must press strongly the middle pom- 

 mel, and the left, be closed to the saddle. The 

 bridle should be held so as to offer no check to 

 the horse's movement, but should the horse show 

 an unwillingness to jump, or be inclined to swerve, 

 it is prudent to keep him firmly in hand, until 

 the moment of his spring, when the tension on 

 the reins may be lessened. 



A standing jump. — The rider must press her 

 leg close against the saddle, she must animate the 

 horse to jump, by gently lifting his head ; as he 

 raises on his haunches for the leap, she should 

 yield the reins, to give him ample room to extend 

 his neck and shoulders, and to exert himself ; as 

 his fore-quarters ascend, the lady should lean slight- 

 ly forward, keepingher head upright and steady ; as 

 he springs, she resumes her upright position, and 



