THE HORSEMAN'S MANUAL. 45 



Having become familiar with the standing leap, by 

 following the man over it, he should now be mounted and 

 ridden up to the bar at a trot, or canter, taking care to place 

 it so that it may fall at the least touch, and at a very moderate 

 height, as well to avoid hurting the man by the horse falling 

 over it, as intimidating himself; the consequence of which 

 would be, his refusing his leap on some more important 

 occasion. 



The rider, when at the leap, should raise the horse's fore- 

 hand by a light feeling of both reins, and with a strong 

 pressure of the legs, urge him forward : immediately the 

 horse rises, he must ease the hand, to give him room to 

 spring forward, and when over, collect him, by a steady 

 feeling of both reins, supporting him well with the legs. 

 The rider should preserve an easy carriage of body; his 

 own judgment will soon inform him, what the inclination 

 forward should be when the horse rises, and what back- 

 ward, when he alights. 



The leap must not be repeated too often ; two or three 

 times in one lesson will be enough, otherwise it will weary 

 and disgust the horse, and get him into the habit of 

 refusing. 



Lesson X. 



The snaffle, which has hitherto been used, must now 

 be replaced by the bit, or curb bridle. This must be care- 

 fully fitted, according to my previous instructions, and when 

 properly adjusted, the rider is to mount with the bit rein 

 instead of the snaffle, and he must bear in mind, that a light 

 hand is now particularly necessary, as the bit is so much 

 more severe than the snaffle. In order that the rider may 

 avoid mistakes, by confusing the reins, let him observe 

 that the bridoon reins are secured in the centre by a buckle, 

 while the bit reins are stitched. By attending to this dis- 

 tinction, he may always know which he is using. 



