56 HINTS ON HORSEMANSHIP 



fence. I want now to touch upon landing after 

 having jumped. 



My first object is to remove an erroneous idea 

 that is very prevalent among most riding men. 

 It is supposed that by leaning back, weight is 

 taken off the horse's fore legs. This is incorrect, 

 as a glance back at No. 15 will show. 



From this sketch it can be seen quite clearly 

 that far from taking any weight off the horse's 

 forehand, the whole body is on the direct line, so 

 that we can dismiss that theory at once as obviously 

 false. 



It not only does not take any weight off the 

 forehand, but it places pressure upon the one place 

 that should be free, which is the loins, and if the 

 action of the horse is watched very closely the 

 effect will be noticed. If the hind quarters are 

 left free from all extraneous pressure, the hind 

 feet perform a true parabola, and land on the 

 ground an appreciable time after the front legs; 

 they swing perfectly true, and touch the ground 

 in the proper position for the horse to strike 

 off for his next stride. But if the body is 

 thrown back directly the culminating point has 

 been reached, then the parabola of the hind 

 legs become obloid. The horse brings his hind 

 quarters down too soon, and in consequence 

 he is not then in a position to strike off for 

 his next stride, and has to adjust his balance 

 accordingly. 



The following diagrams may bring this out more 

 clearly. 



