LEAPING THE DITCH OR BAK. 259 



must gain liis obedience by our own physical exertions, as 

 these alone will give him the ability to fulfil our directions 

 intelligently. In order, therefore, to overcome the forces 

 whicli cause his resistance, we must first have brought him 

 perfectly under the control of the legs and spur, the use of 

 which will enable us to act directly and successfully upon 

 them. 



The bar being first kept on the ground until he crosses 

 it without opposition, is to be raised, inch by inch, to the 

 greatest elevation at which he can clear it, without too se- 

 vere exertion. An attempt to make him do more is un- 

 wise, as being likely to give rise to a strong disinclination 

 for such exercises. 



The bar, heretofore loose, is now to be firmly fastened 

 in its place, that the horse, in leaping, may carefully avoid 

 hitting it, which he might not take pains to do, did he 

 know that a touch of his feet would remove it. Nor should 

 the bar be so enveloped with covering as to diminish its 

 hardness, as it is essential that he should be taught by 

 experience the disagreeable results of an unsuccessful leap. 



Before attempting the leap, the rider should be suffi- 

 ciently firm in his seat to prevent his body's anticipating 

 the movement of his steed. His loins should be supple, 

 and his posteriors well adjusted to the saddle, so as to 

 avoid encountering a severe shock on alighting. His 

 thighs and legs must perfectly fit the sides and body of the 

 horse, thus giving him ready and complete control. The 

 hand, in its natural position, will calculate, by feeling the 

 mouth of the horse, the amount of force with which he is 

 approaching the bar. In this position he will bring the 

 horse to the leap, and if he maintains his freedom of pace 

 to the last moment, a slight resistance with the leg and 

 hand will aid in the elevation of the fore, and the bound 

 of the hind quarters. As the horse rises to the leap, the 



