146 Rising to the Leap. 



dence at a thing he has leaped before. It is the 

 horse who knows the country who makes easiest 

 headway and quickest after hounds, and is often- 

 est in at the death. At the same time it is true 

 that a horse can be spoiled by leaping him in 

 cold blood much more easily than when in the 

 company of many others. And it is also true that 

 if a horse is ridden at different things in succes- 

 sion, if such can be readily found, he learns to 

 take whatever comes in his path more handily 

 than if he is confined to only one jump. Still, 

 after once learning to jump any one obstacle, the 

 lesson is easily carried farther by riding across 

 simple bits of country. 



As soon as Nelly walks right over the bar 

 without hesitation or any pause longer than 

 enough to lift her feet, walk or jog her up to it a 

 bit faster. She will soon find that it is less exer- 

 tion for her to rise to it with both feet at once, 

 ;and hop over it, than to lift her feet so high. As 

 soon as she has caught this idea, reward her with 

 a nibble of something, for she has made her first 

 step in learning the lesson. A little sugar, salt, 

 or a bit of apple, or a green leaf or two, or a 

 bunch of grass you will find to be wonderful in- 

 centives. 



Don't raise the bar too soon or too much. 

 When Nelly is quite familiar with the small jump 

 at a slow gait, trot her at it. Most horses can 



