Ways of Leaping. 



427 



in good form, if not too old to be cured of bad habits. Some horses which have been 

 badly ridden or steeplechased rush furiously at timber, and it is more dangerous to interfere 

 with them than to let them have their own way. It takes a very fine strong horseman, 

 with great patience and time, to cure this way, the very worst, of taking timber. Others, 

 bad-tempered or practised too much at weak hurdles, will rush through without rising. 



Unless you are young, strong, and very confident in your skill, not pluck, it is better to 





■^immV'~ 



A WEIGH! CARRIER — VERY CLEVER. 



commit your hunter for improvement to some first-class professional horseman, who will keep 

 him in one field all day sooner than let him refuse or rush his fences. 



The perfect hunter will trot or canter up to his fence slowly as a matter of course • 

 but on an intimation from his rider by legs and voice that powder is required, will regularly 

 mend his pace until he comes with a rush and clears the bullfinch, wide bank and ditch, or 

 brook, at a stride. 



Horses leap in two ways, some with their hind-legs tucked up closely under their bellies 

 others with their hind-legs streaming behind them ; the former is the best form, stronger and 

 safer. The horse then alights on his hind-legs, and is ready to repeat the spring or continue 



