62 HAND-BOOK FOR HORSEWOMEN. 



soon as she feels the horse project himself forward, 

 she must give her hand, straighten herself, and lean 

 back as the horse goes over, lifting her wrists with 

 energy as soon as he touches the ground. When he 

 has begun the motion of rearing, a simultaneous action 

 of the whip and leg will help to determine his leap. 



It may be noticed that I use the words " aid " 

 and "support" instead of '^ make*' and also that I 

 indicate first the positions of the body, next of the 

 hands, and last the effects of the leg and whip, to 

 the end that the pupil may not be confused as to 

 the very short time in which these latter may be 

 rightly used. Before leaping, the teacher may allow 

 the pupils to practice their positions in the following 

 manner: 



He should make them count one, leaning the 

 body and drawing the wrists backward ; two, the 

 body and wrists forward ; three, the body and wrists 

 backward again. This series, slow in the beginning, 

 may be quickened little by little until it is as near as 

 may be to the speed necessary in these movements 

 during the short duration of a leap. 



When the pupils have gone through these mo- 

 tions intelligently, the teacher will take his place in 

 front and to the right of the hurdle, facing the wall. 

 The hurdle should always be placed in the middle 

 of one of the long sides; and ladies prefer to jump 

 on the left hand, in order to avoid touching the wall 

 with their legs if the horse should go too near it. 

 Notwithstanding this, if ^the horses are free jumpers, 



