82 



THE HOUSEMAN. 



in a few trials, will yield to its pressure without the aid 

 of the whip. 



Section XI.— -Running at the Heads and Rings. 

 {See Plate XXL) 



This practice is a source of very great amusement as 

 well as instruction, and it will fully test the skill of the 

 rider in horsemanship and the use of the sabre. 



For this purpose place six or more posts (five and a' 

 half feet high), about twenty feet apart on a straight 

 line, square, or circle, and on the top of each, put a ball 

 (the size of a man's head) made of canvass, stufied with 

 hay or straw. 



The rings should be two or five inches in diameter, 

 and sewed in the ends of a strap nine inches long, and 

 suspended from an arm fixed in one of the head posts (S'ee 

 Plate IX.) ; and this should be projected over the track 

 in such a way that the rider may pass under it v.ath his 

 right shoulder. 



It should hang a fev/ inches above the rider's head, but 

 raised when taken in the leap. (»S'ee Plate XXIV.) 



The points only are used in taking the ring (^See Plate 

 XXII.), the rider extricating it from the sabre by drop- 

 ping the point downward to the right side of the horse, 

 arm extended ; then returning to the engage, and instant- 

 ly preparing for the next cut or point. 



In order to accustom the horse to passing the posts, 

 and to prevent him from shying when the balls are 



