THE HORSEMAN. 69 



bolt, the movement must be recommenced until the horse 

 learns what is required of him. 



SECTION IX. Leaping. 



The most secure position for the rider in all leaps, as 

 in all critical situations, is to yield to the seat by bending 

 the loins, to cling with the thighs and calves of the legs, 

 and to accommodate himself to the horse's motions, and 

 not depend upon the stirrups for support. 



The reader should bear in mind that the weight of the 

 body alone presses in the seat, and that a pressure in the 

 stirrups tends to lift him from the saddle and lessen the 

 clasp of the thighs. 



Leaping a ditch, gully, or space (See Plate XVIIL), the 

 rider should give the reins (to enable the horse to extend 

 his neck, see the object, and to measure his steps), main- 

 tain his seat erect, yield the body slightly, and cling with 

 the legs. While the horse is descending, the reins should 

 be gathered in order to support and check him after he 

 strikes the ground. 



We must again observe that the stirrups are no secur- 

 ity to the rider's seat in any situation whatever. 



A ditch for practising the leap, should be twenty feet 

 long, two or four feet wide, and one deep. The length 

 may be increased according to the number of horses leap- 

 ing together.* 



* The same rules should govern two or more persons leaping 

 the bar or ditch together, as in leaping singly. (See Plates XIX 

 and XX.) 



