46 LEAPING. 



action of the horse's right leg, then instantly 

 touch both his sides by closing both legs at 

 once upon him, and ease the bridle, or continue 

 to hold him in, according to the speed of the 

 walk or the trot intended. 



The walk, trot, canter, and gallop must 

 each be practised, and perfectly acquired, be- 

 fore proceeding to the next degree. "All 

 should walk before they gallop." 



Leaping, which to untaught riders appears 

 extremely difficult and dangerous, is to be 

 easily acquired by practice founded on science. 



The equestrian scholar may be first taught 

 by practice to leap a small space in the canter 

 to accustom him to the sudden spring, and then 

 a height. 



Leaping space should be performed while 

 the horse is in a canter or gallop, but leaping a 

 height may be performed either from standing, 

 or from any pace at which a horse may be 

 going. 



The skill of leaping consists principally in 

 the rider's own acute anticipation of the horse's 

 spring when he is raised upon his haunches, 



