MODERN FAPtRIEIl. 2bo 



to give up such an advantage, if an advantage it can 

 be deemed, for compassion sake in the first instance, 

 and for the considerable benefits of preserving the 

 limbs of the horses in a sound state, and more to be 

 depended upon, and of lengthening the duration of 

 their services ?' 



123. Training Horses to eeap. 



It is proper that all hunters and military horses 

 be taught to leap. This should be done gradually 

 and gently, lest the horse falls and becomes fearful. 

 It is best to commence by leading him to a low bar 

 covered with furze, which, pricking the horse's legs 

 if he does not raise himself sufficiently, prevents his 

 contracting a sluggish and dangerous habit of touch- 

 ing as he goes over, which any thing yielding and 

 not pricking would give him a custom of doing. 

 Many horses, in learning to leap, are apt to come 

 too near, and in a manner with their feet under the 

 bar. The best way to prevent their doing so, is to 

 jilace under the bar two planks, of the breadth of 

 the pillars on which the leaping bar is fixed : these 

 planks should meet and join at top under the bar, 

 about two feet high from the ground, and project at 

 bottom from the ground about two feet; they 

 should be strongly framed, that the horse may not 

 break them by touching them with his feet; the 

 bar should be placed so as to run round when 

 touched. The ditches and hedges to which a horse 

 is first brought should be small and inconsiderable ; 

 and in this, as in every thing else, the increase 

 should be made by degrees. The horse should be 

 accustomed to approach the object he is to leap, 

 gently, and without hurry, and to stand coolly at it 

 for some time ; and then to raise himself gently up, 

 and go clear over it without either laziness or impe- 

 tuosity. When he has been taught to leap well 

 standing, he may next be brought to walk up to 



