182 STABLE MANUAL AND HORSE DOCTOR 



obstacles in this category. Sheep hurdles and thorn fences, 

 with or without binders, are included in the timber-jump 

 As a preliminary caution, we may note that many of the 

 falls which occur in timber leaping are attributable to the 

 want of "catches" on the outer side of the shoes. These 

 should be slight and only on the outer side, as we shall 

 note when we come to speak of the shoeing of the hunter. 

 When the horse has not these as a foothold he is apt to slip 

 his hinder quarters too far under in the attempt to stop the 

 impetus of his galloj), and thus baulk his spring. Horses 

 jump, however, as well as gallop, in all sorts of forms ; and 

 the judicious horseman will know that it is better to 

 accommodate himself to his horse's habit, and cultivate his 

 talent, than to interfere with his style, which is like an 

 attempt to force a man to alter his settled opinions. 



When you know your horse to be a safe fencer, be his 

 fashion of performing his leaps what it may, do not try to 

 force him to alter it ; and whatever you do, by no means 

 hurry such a horse, however prudent it may be to do so 

 with others. Some horses, although sufficiently eager to get 

 over, will alwaj^s pull up at a timber leap, particularly if 

 it costs an estra exertion. In such a case, if you know 

 your horse will clear his leap fairly, let him take it his 

 own way ; forcing such a horse will probably be very 

 unsafe. Never, however, attempt such a leap merely to 

 show off either yourself or your horse during the run ; for 

 several others of a similar kind may be inevitable, and 

 every such leap takes so much out of your horse that if he 

 receives much shock on landing he will, perhaps, refuse a 

 repetition. Never follow another rider when he is taking 

 a timber leap, for should he fall you may maim or kill him, 

 or at any rate lose your own credit. Do not force your 

 horse at timber when he is distressed ; for should he then 

 fall it may be with great force, and he will hardly rise, to 

 say nothing of your own probable injury. Once more 

 would we caution the aspirant in field riding against 

 taking such leaps at the gallop : au contraire, it is good 

 riding to pull up at some leaps, as we have already said, 

 and to take them either from a walk or, at most, from a 

 canter. 



The ^S^i/e— especially when it has a foot-bridge on one or 

 both sides — is often a very ugly leap. If on the take-off 

 side, most horses will sooner face it and clear the whole; 



