206 PRINCIPLES OF P. VII. 



We also said—The back should be hollow, 

 &c. — Were the body to be brought forward, 

 with a round back and shoulders, it would 

 not be in a situation to get back in time, 

 without much exertion of the rider; but if 

 the back be hollow, when the horse springs 

 forward, it will, of itself, fall backward if the 

 hand be not raised to prevent it. If the head 

 be loose, the action of the body may cause a 

 small wrench of the neck, or a bite of the 

 tongue. 



Slipping your breech under you gives the 

 body more liberty to lean back ; and unless 

 the body is well back, the shock, when the 

 horse's feet meet the ground, will shake it 

 forward, whereby you not only deprive the 

 horse of the support, which at this time he 

 should have from the hand, but are in danger 

 of falling. If you recover your right posi- 

 tion, or take your legs from their situation 

 before the Leap is completed, you will be 

 liable to disorder, loss of balance, and the 

 like. 



