The moveable bar for leaping should be ten feet in length, which will
admit of two horses leaping abreast; at first from one to two feet
high; and never very high.
As to the seat, it should be again observed that stirrups are no
security in any situation on horseback; and those who cannot forbear
pressing a weight on them, had better have none when learning to leap.
An accurate balance must prevent all disturbance of the seat; for the
slightest, whether the rider is thrown up from the saddle, or his body
falls forward, or he gets out of balance, is as disgraceful as falling
to the ground. He should sit so close as to carry a shilling under each
thigh just above the knee, one in each stirrup under the toe, and one
under his breech.
When any action of the horse tends to lift the rider from the saddle,
stirrups cannot keep him down. Bearing on the stirrup, indeed, must
lift the rider from the saddle, and would even loosen any hold he
might take with the thighs or legs. Nothing but the weight of the body
can press to the saddle. When the action is violent, however, the
pressure of the thighs may be employed to hold it down; and, when the
hold of the thighs is not sufficient, the legs may take a deeper, and
stronger hold. Leaps are taken standing or flying; the first being most
difficult to sit, though always practised first, because the slow and
steady leaping of a properly managed horse gives the rider time and
recollection, and the riding-master an opportunity to direct, and to
prevent accidents.
[Illustration: _Plate XLI_
_Page 157._