LEAPING OR JUMPING 



159 



the different stand-points of the two authors, both experts on the subject 

 of riding. Undoubtedly the horse is impeded in his efforts to rise when 

 the rider leans forward, but the latter must indeed be a good horseman, 

 unless, to some extent, he accepts Mr. Anderson's teaching. 



While, as has been already stated, the hind-legs are straightened the 

 clever hunter will double his front ones as closely as possible to avoid 

 striking, for should the knee come in contact with a stiff rail he will gener- 

 ally fall, while a blow on the fetlock or other part below may result in 



nothing worse than a "peck." In the same way a well-schooled hunter 

 tucks up his hind-legs the moment they leave the ground, and he is 

 prepared to use his limbs while in the air in whatever manner seems most 

 likely to serve him on the other side, which he cannot always see until he 

 has risen above the obstacle. 



Landing. — If one watches a good jumper, taken steadily over moderate 

 fences, he appears to first extend his front-legs to the fullest, and then 

 come down on both feet at the same time. The camera proves the exten- 

 sion, but it is found that one foot is slightly in advance of the other and 

 comes down before it. On consideration, it will be seen that it is a safer 

 method than if the animal came down on both feet at once, as one knee is 

 slightly bent and ready to save him from a fall if the first leg fails from not 

 being perfectly straight as it should be, at the moment of impact with the 

 ground. 



As a fall generally results from the knee being bent, one would naturally 

 suppose that a horse " over " at the knee, would be a very unsafe animal 

 to ride, but the editor's experience does not confirm this. It may be that 



