44 TRAINING YOUNG 



backwards and forwards over small obstacles, 

 and in a short time he will cease to show 

 undue excitement. At the trot or canter he 

 must be circled round in front of the fence as 

 though he was going to jump it, and then 

 when he has settled down he can be popped 

 over once and circled round again. He must 

 be taught to stand quietly in front of a fence, 

 then reined back a couple of lengths and, if he 

 still shows considerable excitement, slowly 

 walked up to the fence again. The rider must 

 be careful not to overtax the horse's tempera- 

 ment by reining back too often (once or twice 

 is enough as a rule). Eventually instead of 

 walking up to the fence he can jump it with the 

 two lengths' run, which is quite sufficient for a 

 small fence. 



On no account must the horse be jumped over 

 too big an obstacle if he is still inclined to rush 

 at a small one. Very often this class of horse 

 will try and jump without getting his hocks 

 sufficiently under him. 



HORSES THAT ARE UNABLE TO 

 ATTAIN THEIR CORRECT BALANCE 

 WHEN JUMPING 



The slower the pace (either at a trot or canter) 

 at which he comes up to the fence, the more 



