44 THE HORSEMAN'S MANUAL. 



A good rider will detect this immediately, without any 

 assistance from his eye, by an uneasy rocking motion, and 

 as often as it occurs, will pull the horse quietly up to the 

 trot, and again apply the aids smoothly, taking care not to 

 lose his temper, nor punish the horse till he has exhausted 

 all other means to obtain his end, and even then, the punish- 

 ment must be administered with judgment and discretion. 



Too much attention cannot be given to the lightness and 

 delicacy of the hands, and these indispensables to a good 

 horseman, come only by time and practice. When once 

 acquired, they are the sure means of safety and good riding, 

 for it is from the control exercised by the hand, that a rider 

 is enabled to subdue the most violent horse ; while the 

 firmest seat will avail nothing, if not seconded by a light 

 and skilful hand. 



Lesson IX, 



Having proceeded with the colt so far through the 

 routine of his training, should he have gone on successfully, 

 his next instruction must be in leaping ; and here again we 

 must advance by degrees, and begin by placing the bar on 

 the ground, which, when he steps clearly over, we may 

 raise a few inches, increasing the height gradually ; and by 

 encouragement, before and after each leap, he will soon 

 learn to follow the man leading him over it. For a standing 

 leap, from two to three feet in height ought to be considered 

 sufficient. 



The horse should be made to approach the leap at an 

 animated pace, but on no account, be suffered to hurry. 

 A horse that is impatient in going up to the bar, must be 

 halted a few steps short of it, and reined back, as often as he 

 shows unsteadiness, or be led over the bar on the ground 

 again ; but on no account must he be allowed to hurry ; for 

 if he is, he will become an uncertain, and consequently, a 

 dangerous leaper. 



