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 XVIII.), the rider should give the reins (to enable the horse to extend his neck, see the object, and to measure his steps), maintain 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 security 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 leaping 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.) In all leaps the bridle hand should be yielded. The rider should know his horse well before he attemps a high leap. He should commence, first, over a bar about six inches from the ground at a halt and a gallop, then gradually increase the height according to the powers of the horse. Several instances, however, have come under our observation, of horsemen having been obliged to raise their horses (being heavy in the fore hand) over obstacles by a firm and hard pull. The degree in which a horse should be gathered and animated in leaping, depends much on his temperament and conformation, and must be left to the judgment and decision of the rider. In the standing leap over the bar (See Plate XVI.), the rider should incline the body forward when the horse rises, so as not to check nor pull him over backward. This leap is difficult "to sit," being sudden and instantaneous, and, for a moment, leaving the rider in a helpless situation. The flying leap (See Plate XVII.), on the contrary, is comparatively easy for the rider and horse; for it is a mere continuation of the canter or gallop, with a slight acceleration of rise and speed while clearing the obstacle. The body, in this leap, should be erect, but slightly inclined backward or forward, according to the kind of leap, while the horse descends. For instance, if he strikes the fore feet first, the rider should lean a little |