LEAPING. 



131 



enough and the trunk of a tree is quite wide enough for 

 the first steps in leaping. Balance, gripe of the pom- 

 mels, and support of the stirrup must be combined ; the 

 seat as near the centre of the horse's back as the pom- 

 mels will permit ; the figure erect, not rigid, with the 

 shoulders back, ready to bend gently backward as the 

 horse rises in the air — not leaning forward, twisted over 

 on the near side, like a popular spirited and absurd pict- 

 ure ("First at the Fence"), which really shows 'how 

 not to do it;' the snaffle-reins held in both hands, at a 

 length that will enable the horse fully to extend him-, 

 self, and the rider to bear on his mouth as she bends 

 back over his. croup when he is landing. All this time 

 her eyes should be looking between the horse's ears, so 

 as to keep perfectly square in the saddle." 



If the reader carries out the instruction already given 

 with care, and exercises good sense and judgment, it is 

 very unlikely that she will have a fall. Should this 

 happen, however, there are two things to be remem-. 

 bered, fi.rst to get instantly away from the horse by 

 scrambling or rolling, and secondly to keep hold of the 

 reins. In any event, the timid may be reassured by 

 reflecting that a fall is usually without any serious re- 

 sult, it being by no means as dangerous to come down 

 with the horse as to be thrown from him. 



