70 



THE HORSEMAN. 



In all leaps the bridle hand should be yielded. 



The rider should know his horse well before he at- 

 temps a high leap. He should commence, first, over a 

 bar about six inches from the ground at a halt and a gal- 

 lop, then gradually increase the height according to the 

 powers of the horse. 



Several instances, however, have come under our ob- 

 servation, of horsemen having been obliged to raise their 

 horses (being heavy in the fore hand) over obstacles by 

 a firm and hard pull. 



The degree in which a horse should be gathered and 

 animated in leaping, depends much on his temperament 

 and conformation, and must be left to the judgment and 

 decision of the rider. 



In the standing leaj) over the bar [See Plate XVI. ), 

 the rider should incline the body forward when the horse 

 rises, so as not to check nor pull him over backward. 



This leap is difficult " to sit," being sudden and in- 

 stantaneous, and, for a moment, leaving the rider in a 

 helpless situation. 



The Jlying leap [See Plate XVII.), on the contrary, is 

 comparatively easy for the rider and horse ; for it is a 

 mere continuation of the canter or gallop, with a slight 

 acceleration of rise and speed while clearing the obsta- 

 cle. 



The body, in this leap, should be erect, but slightly in- 

 clined backward or forward, according to the kind of 

 leap, while the horse descends. For instance, if he 

 strikes the fore feet first, the rider should lean a little 



