OF LEAPING. 185 



the horse. His loins should be supple, his 

 buttocks well fixed to the saddle, so that he 

 may experience no shock nor violent reac- 

 tion. His thighs and legs exactly enveloping 

 the body and sides of the horse, will give 

 him a power always opportune and infallible. 

 The hand in its natural position will feel 

 the horse's mouth in order to judge of the 

 effects of impulsion. It is in this position 

 that the rider should conduct the horse to- 

 wards the obstacle ; if he come up to it 

 with the same freedom of pace, a light 

 opposition of the legs and hand will facili- 

 tate the elevation of the fore-hand, and the 

 bound of the posterior extremity. As soon 

 as the horse is raised, the hand ceases its 

 effect, to be again sustained when the fore- 

 legs touch the ground, so as to prevent them 

 giving way under the weight of the body. 



We should content ourselves with exe- 

 cuting a few leaps in accordance with the 

 16* 



