LEAPING 125 



avoid being thrown forward by the ac- 

 tion of his -quarters or by the angle at 

 which he comes down. Her left heel 

 should not come in contact with him 

 after he has taken off, although she may 

 strike him with it to urge him on if he 

 goes at the jump too slowly. Below 

 the waist she must be firm and im- 

 movable ; above, yielding and flexible. 

 As the horse lands, she regains her up- 

 right position, and should be care- 

 Landing 



ful that he does not pull the reins 



through her fingers. Under all circum- 

 stances she must have too firm a hold 

 on the reins to admit of such an occur- 

 rence. If the horse stumbles at the mo- 

 ment of landing, he needs the support 

 of her hands ; or should he bolt, it must 

 not be necessary to pull in the slack rein 

 before being able to check him. 



One of the most erroneous theories 

 extant is that it is desirable to " lift " a 



