HORSES TO JUMP 21 



of the fore-limbs became contracted,* and conse- 

 quently the horse's energy was spent in high 

 action and pawing the air. 



It is a fact that a horse at full gallop can never 

 extend his fore-feet beyond a plummet-line 

 dropped from his nose. Obviously a horse 

 balanced on the above lines becomes useless 

 as a practical fencer. 



What is required is balance in a wider sense, 

 namely, a horse that knows how and when to 

 raise his forehand and bring his weight back, 

 and how and when to lower his head and 

 bring his weight forward. 



The former is required at the slower paces and 

 when stopping, and the latter when extending 

 himself and to assist him when jumping. 

 To attain this kind of balance it is necessary 

 to get a horse up in front and back on his 

 haunches in moderation ; at the same time give 

 him frequent periods of extended work with 

 a free rein. It will be necessary for him to 

 work at all paces both up and down hill. Let 

 him jump plenty of small banks and small 



* This muscle that advances the fore-limbs originates from 

 the back of the head and the first four bones of the neck and 

 runs down to the humerus or lower bone of the shoulder. 

 When the neck is bent to any great degree this muscle is 

 artificially shortened and the action of the shoulders and fore- 

 limbs is contracted. 



