THE LEAP. 263 



of tension upon the reins, especially if he be 

 not thoroughly trained, he will rise from all 

 four legs almost simultaneously, and also alight 

 upon them all together. In horse-jockey's ^<^r- 

 lance this is termed a '^ buck-leap." It is an 

 awkward manner of leaping, and gives a severe 

 shock to the animal beside fearfully jolting his 

 rider. Again, a horse not well trained in the 

 leap, or somewhat indolent, may, if not ani- 

 mated and properly collected just before rising, 

 fail to leap over the obstacle, or in passing over 

 it may strike it with his hind-feet, for he will 

 attempt the leap in a loose, straggling manner. 

 An animal that is well trained, and accustomed 

 to leaping, will take care of himself, and will 

 require very little assistance from his rider ; a 

 light hand upon the reins just before he rises, 

 a free rein as he extends himself, and support 

 when he touches the ground being all that is 

 necessary. 



Should the lady be expert in riding, and de- 

 sire to teach her steed to leap, she can readily 

 do so by pursuing the following course : Let 

 a bar about twelve feet in length, and two feet 

 from the ground, be so arranged that the horse 

 cannot pass around it. If possible, he should 

 be allowed to see a well-trained horse leap over 

 this bar a number of times ; then taking advan- 



