180 STABLE MANUAL AND HORSE DOCTOR 



The Flying Leap. — This is of two classes : the rushing 

 one, adopted from necessity in the jumping race known as 

 the steeple-chase ; the deliberate, or hunting one, in which 

 the horse is ridden steadily, and the fence, hedge, bank, or 

 rail taken by a true leaping stride. The flying leap is 

 performed with all the limbs more or less extended, and 

 the whole line of head, neck, and body nearly horizontal, 

 more so in proportion to the width of the brook, dyke, or 

 other space to be cleared. As in the flying leap, the hinder 

 limbs are the main instruments of propulsion, but the fore 

 legs certainly take a greater part in the operation than is 

 generally supposed, the last stride before the take-off of the 

 leap the fore feet will be found to be violently thrown 

 against the ground, to assist in lifting and propelling the 

 animal, almost synchronously with the grand efibrt of the 

 hinder limbs. The horse, having carried himself over the 

 object, lowers his head, throws his fore legs yet more 

 horizontally, and lands so as to ofler the least resistance 

 and jar ; while his hinder limbs, which had been gathered 

 up towards the belly to clear the leap, are brought under 

 him, as in other cases, to again gallop on. 



The flying leap ought to be made thus : The horse must 

 not be hurried, but taken up at a brisk pace, with a light 

 and steady hand, keeping his head perfectly steady and 

 straight to the bar or fence. This position is the same as 

 in the standing leap ; and the aids required are the same as 

 for making a horse canter. If held too tight in the act of 

 leaping, the horse is likely to overstrain himself, and fall. 

 If hurried at a leap it may cause him to miss his distance, 

 and spring too soon or too late ; therefore his pace must be 

 regulated, so that he may take his spring distant enough, 

 and proportionate to its height, so that he may clear it. 

 When nearing the leap the rider must sit perfectly square, 

 erect, pliant, and easy in the act of leaping ; on arriving at 

 the opposite side of the leap, throw the body well back, and 

 again have the horse well in hand. 



The Buck Jump, or Double Leap, is most remarkable in 

 Irish horses, and among such of our own as are accustomed 

 to banks and wall enclosures rather than water, hurdles, 

 wattles, or quickset hedges. In the buck leap a second 

 impetus is obtained by the horse striking the top of the 

 wall or fence with his hind feet. 



We need hardly say tbat the buck leap is not made at 



