Jumping Fences, Ditches, and Water 119 



The late Mr. Leonard Morrogh, a well-known Master of 

 the * Ward,' trained most of his horses to jump the most 

 ugly and impossible-looking fences from a stand, and thus 

 even at the end of a long run his horses were, compara- 

 tively speaking, fresh. I took a hint from Mr. Morrogh's 

 system, and in like manner trained my own horses, and pro- 

 duced many a slow-jumping * wonder,' and in consequence 

 saw the end of many a twenty-five-mile run." 



Nearly any horse, if he is given time to collect himself 

 and is not distracted by whip and spur, will, if properly 

 trained, know how best to take off and land safely. It is 

 astonishing how easily a horse will negotiate a most diffi- 

 cult jump if there is nothing to interfere with the free use 

 of his legs, head, or neck, and if the weight on his back is 

 properly adjusted. 



It is equally surprising what a little thing upsets him 

 when he is deprived of any part of this freedom. If you 

 doubt this, try a few jumps yourself naturally, and then 

 unnaturally hampered in some way. You will find that 

 the least deviation from the natural way is a very great 

 handicap to your making either a high or a broad jump 

 successfully. 



