An Improved Method 159 



in the center and send the horses over them one by- 

 one. If the leader pulls up when he gets to the other 

 side, it will be found that the other horses will go to 

 him and stop of their own accord. An even better 

 plan, if a spare horse is available, is to hobble him 

 a little way from the fence on the landing side, and 

 allow the other horses to collect round him. Al- 

 though at this stage of the course the actual jump- 

 ing is to take place without reins, it will be neces- 

 sary that the pupil should pick them up both before 

 and after jumping; dropping them as soon as the 

 horse has got his head straight at the fence, and 

 taking them up again after landing in order to 

 steady the animal. 



When riding at the log or the hurdle laid flat the 

 trot will be a fast enough pace, but when the pupil 

 is able to jump higher obstacles a steady canter will 

 be easiest for both man and horse. 



There is some difference of opinion as to whether 

 it is sufficient for the pupil to hold the end of the 

 rein in the palm of the hand, let out to the full ex- 

 tent, or if he should drop it altogether and fold his 

 arms. The first method certainly removes the pos- 

 sibility of the rein coming over the horse's head on 



