TEACHING TO LEAP. 107 



leap freely, without requiring assistance 

 from the hand, he may be ridden at 

 the bar in a slow, collected gallop. 

 In the leap at the gallop the hand 

 should do nothing more than direct 

 the horse and maintain the equi- 

 librium, while the legs should be used 

 to collect the forces of the croup 

 for the spring, but there should be no 

 prick from the spur. If the horse be 

 accustomed to depend upon assistance 

 from the bit in rising for the take-off, 

 he will become negligent, and will 

 throw all the responsibility upon the 

 rider. This must result in a disaster, 

 for the horse only can judge of his 

 own capabilities, and he should decide 

 where to take off and with what exer- 

 tion. If the horse be in fit condition 



