132 HOW WOMEN SHOULD RIDE 



sible, leaving the reins long, but ready- 

 to support the horse's head as he lands. 

 At a trappy place, where, for instance, 

 there might be a broken-down fence 

 among some trees, overgrown with 

 vines and bushes, the horse must be 

 taken quietly and slowly and made to 

 crawl through the gap. His rider will 

 even then have enough trouble in keep- 

 ing her feet clear of the vines, and in 

 preventing the branches from hitting 

 her face, which she could not do if a 

 jump were made with a rush. If her 

 horse carries his head high, she can 

 probably pass where it has been with- 

 out injury by leaning forward over his 

 withers, to the right, and raising her 

 right arm to ward off the branches 

 with her whip or crop. 



Sometimes she will not notice a limb 

 or other obstruction until almost under 

 it, when it will be necessary for her to 



