19 



PLATE XVII, 



THE BUCKING LEAP. 



This leap is similar to the action of the deer ; and the horse, 

 in the performance of it, displays a very grand and prepossessing 

 appearance. There ought to be a great distinction between the 

 action of the animal, in this leap, and in that which I before 

 described : for although I have just remarked on the propriety of the 

 horse gathering his quarters under him, I do not consider this rule 

 as applicable to the fly leap. It is but rarely indeed that any but 

 very hot horses follow this method, which certainly is not a good 

 one. In the first place, the action requires great exertion, both 

 on the part of the rider and the horse, an effort which is not 

 at all calculated for endurance : secondly, it is very dangerous, as 

 the horse addicted to it seldom knows where to spring, or to take 

 off from, or how to measure his leap ; and it very often occurs that, 

 having his head cleaving the air, he entirely forgets to put his fore- 

 legs clown to the ground, and consequently comes bolt on his knees 

 and chest. I rode a mare which practised the bucking leap for two 

 seasons ; she was four years old, and excessively violent, although 

 a powerful leaper as to height and distance. For the first season 

 I had four or five falls a day, upon an average, and all in con- 

 sequence of her violent mode of leaping. 



