METHOD IN ACTUAL PRACTICE 67 



he is forced over obstacles or put down early 

 in his education, he may become frightened 

 or cowardly, and will never make a really 

 bold, willing jumper. When he has once 

 learned what is required of him, and ceased 

 to be nervous at the novelty of the proceed- 

 ings, "spilling" him will not matter, but he 

 will see that he isn't put down often if he can 

 help it. 



The actual mode of training is as follows : 

 Taking the cavesson rein in one hand, close 

 up to the horse's muzzle, and with the loose 

 end of the rein coiled in the other hand 

 ready to run out when necessary, the trainer 

 leads the young horse quietly up to the 

 obstacle, and encourages him to jump " out 

 of hand." The trainer's assistant should 

 follow at a safe distance behind the animal, 

 and should carry a whip with a thong on it. 

 The less this implement is used the better, 

 but a crack or two keeps an unwilling animal 

 up to his work, and it is seldom necessary to 

 actually hit the horse ; if by any chance it is, 

 the punishment should never be inflicted just 

 before the horse takes off, as it will probably 

 cause him to bungle his " lep." The trainer 

 must from the first teach his horse to jump be- 

 fore he (the trainer) jumps, and on no account 

 should he ever jump before the horse : it is a 

 most dangerous proceeding. While the horse 

 is being presented at the fence, the assistant 



