156 



LEAPING. 



bent, is not so safe as that of keeping it straight ; for in 

 the event of any falter being made by the supporting 

 fore leg, the other fore leg will be better prepared to 

 save the horse from a fall, if at that moment it be 

 straightened out, and not bent. 



It is evident that, for safety, the knee of the leg upon 

 which the animal lands, should be as straight as possible ; 



Fig. 249. 



Fig. 251. 

 Landing. 



for if the knee " gives," the horse will almost certainly 

 fall. Hence, we should regard the condition of being 

 " over at the knees " (p. 280) as a grave defect in the 

 jumper, especially if he be required to go fast. 



As a rule, when landing over a jump, the hind foot 

 which first comes down, has been made way for by the 

 fore foot of the same side, somewhat beyond the print 



