264 



JUMPING. 



chance them with impunity. Without going to the trouble 

 of constructing an enclosed line of fences in the manner 

 just described, we may practise horses at liberty over 

 obstacles placed round a riding-school or other suitable 

 enclosure. 



The two most difficult things in teaching a horse to 

 jump, are to get him, when coming ujd to a fence, to 

 regulate his speed of his own accord, and to "take off" 

 at the proper distance from his fences, to do which he 

 will have to acquire the ability to put in a short stride. 



GTs: 



Fig. 114. — Boots for protecting horse's legs when jumping. 



or lengthen his stride, as may be required. This comes 

 naturally to some horses, and in many cases is undoubtedly 

 an hereditary gift. The clever sort appear to have an 

 instinctive dislike to striking their legs against, or catching 

 them in, anything. Other horses, on the contrary, despite 

 careful instruction and severe blows and falls, seem in- 

 capable of remembering that they should not chance 

 their obstacles, especially when they become excited. 



As horses are apt to hit themselves and over-reach 

 when jumping, especially when they are new at the work ; 



