96 N^EW METHOD OF HOESEMANSHIP. 



effort. To exceed this proper limit would be to risk caus- 

 ing a disgust on the part of the horse that should be 

 most carefully avoided. The bar having been thus grad- 

 ually raised, ought to be made fast, in order that the 

 horse, disposed to be indolent, should not make sport of 

 an obstacle which would be no longer serious, when the 

 touch of his feet sufficed to overturn it. The bar ought 

 not to be wrapped in any covering that would lessen its 

 hardness ; we should be severe when we demand possi- 

 bilities, and avoid the abuses that always result from an 

 ill-devised complaisance. 



Before preparing to take the leap, the rider should hold 

 himself sufficiently firm to prevent his body preceding 

 the motion of the horse. His loins should be supple, his 

 buttocks well fixed to the saddle, so that he may experi- 

 ence no shock nor violent reaction. His thighs and legs 

 exactly enveloping the body and sides of the horse will 

 give him a power always opportune and infallible. The 

 hand in its natural position will feel the horse's mouth 

 in order to judge of the effects of impulsion. It is in this 

 position that the rider should conduct the horse towards 

 the obstacle ; if he comes up to it with the same freedom 

 of pace, a light opposition of the legs and hand will 

 facilitate the elevation of the fore-hand, and the bound 

 of the posterior extremity. As soon as the horse is 

 raised, the hand ceases its effect, to be again sustained 

 when the fore legs touch the ground, and to prevent 

 them giving way under the weight of the body. 



We should content ourselves with executing a few 

 leaps in accordance with the horse's powers, and, above 

 all, avoid pushing bravado to the point of wishing to 

 force the animal to clear obstacles that are beyond his 

 powers. I have known very good leapers that people 

 have succeeded in thus disgusting forever, so that no 



