180 THE PRACTICAL HORSE KEEPER. 



comfortably commences with the left. A lady's horse should 

 lead with the right leg. The lesson, as in walking, should not 

 be long nor fatiguing, and if trotting in a circle the direction 

 must be reversed frequently. 



Cantering is a slow gallop, the colt being urged from the 

 walk or trot, and well restrained by the bit while being urged 

 forward, the right fore-leg being the leading one. To make a 

 horse lead with one or other fore-leg, the head is slightly bent 

 round to the opposite side. 



Galloping does not require any special training other than 

 allowing the animal liberty to extend itself, while stimulating 

 it to put forth its speed. 



Leaping should, if possible, be taught when the colt is 

 young, and without any kind of coercion or punishment. If 

 commenced at two years old, when the colt is not yet saddled, 

 the teaching should be begun by the animal wearing a cavesson, 

 or a snaffle-bridle with a thin rope fastened to each end of the 

 bit. In the latter case a man holds on each side by the rope, 

 and a third follows with a whip. Very small jumps are at- 

 tempted at first : boxes, rails, or sheep troughs placed in a row, 

 then placed on each other, until from stepping over the colt has 

 to jump. Small ditches should be led over in the same manner, 

 and when they are readily taken, wider ones may be tried. In 

 this way the colt will soon jump hurdles, banks, walls, and 

 wide ditches, without hesitation, and even with pleasure, so 

 long as the jumps are not too difficult at first — in fact, they 

 ought to be particularly easy ; but the obstacle to be jumped 

 should always be something that will compel the animal to- 

 clear it well, else he will jump carelessly. He ought not to be 

 allowed to feel slovenly, and success should be rewarded with 

 encouraging words. Whatever he is desired to do should be- 

 done thoroughly and neatly. 



Sometimes a ridden horse gives a lead over the jumps, th& 

 colt being led over in the cavesson, and the man behind witli 



