LEAPING. 47 



and in being prepared for the spring of the 

 horse's hind legs, in every nerve going over 

 with him as a part of the horse's self — he must 

 not, by being late and hanging back, have to be 

 plucked forward by that spring, which ope- 

 rating en the angle of his person pitches the 

 rider over the horse's head, before the fore- 

 quarters of the horse reach the ground. 



Preparatory to the leap the rider should 

 take up the bridoon-rein, and, slackening the 

 curb-rein to the full extent, retain only the 

 loop-end of it in the palm of his hand and 

 leap with the bridoon only ; because that acting 

 in the corner of the horse's mouth lifts up 

 his head, and allows him more freedom ; 

 whereas the curb-bit acting lower down in the 

 mouth and griping the jaw, draws his head 

 and chin inwards to his breast, and restrains 

 his powers of extension, so that if the horse 

 in leaping with the curb-rein stumble, he must 

 fall with his head under him. The rider, there- 

 fore, with the bridoon, must approach the 

 "leap" in such a manner as neither to hurry 

 nor flurry the horse ; but to allow him a full 



