TEACHING TO LEAP. 



191 



bar at a brisk walk, and encouraged to 

 take a leap by a pressure of the legs, and, 

 If necessary, a play of the bit to lighten 

 the forehand. 



When he will take the leap freely, 

 without requiring assistance from the hand, 

 he may be ridden at the bar in a slow, col- 

 lected gallop. 



In the leap at the gallop the hand 

 should do nothing more than direct the 

 horse and maintain the equilibrium, 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 accu:tomed 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 



