XXI. 

 HOW YOUNG HORSES ARE TAUGHT TO JUMP. 



Jumping when at liberty. — Young horses may be 

 taught to jump when at hberty or on the longe. 



Jumping at hberty is ordinarily practiced in a straight 

 chute, in which are placed several obstacles — at least one 

 ditch and one bar. The horse is led quietly to one end 

 of the chute and caught at the other end by men who 

 stop him without frightening him and then offer him oats 

 as a reward. Near each obstacle is stationed a man with 

 a longeing whip ready to urge horses that hold back and 

 hesitate; but the use of the whip should not be abused as 

 it bewilders the animals and after a few lessons is ordina- 

 rily no longer required. 



Jumping at hberty produces horses keen and straight 

 on their jumps. The drawback is that the animals jump 

 too quickly and acquire only a certain amount of skill; 

 for, instead of observing the obstacles that they are tak- 

 ing, they have only one idea and that is to get out of the 

 chute. The system is especially suitable to train horses 

 for steeplechasing. 



If the jumps in the chute are high, it will be better not 

 to send young horses through until after they have had 

 several preliminary lessons on the longe. 



Jumping on the longe. — Jumping on the longe is a 

 perfect lesson to train a horse for obstacles. Drilled by 

 this method, the horse is cool and clever and forms the 

 habit of observing the obstacle. It is the best system 

 for service mounts and hunters. 



This lesson may be given in the hall or in the open and 



in the following manner: 



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