MODERN RTDIIS T G. 



209 



so doing you will often deter him from taking 

 his proper distance, and make him leap at 

 hap-hazard, to the great danger of your own 

 neck. A horse, which rises too soon, seldom 

 clears his Leap, and risks being strained by 

 the effort to cover it; a horse, which rises 

 too late, or too near the bar or a strong 

 fence, will be likely to strike his knees against 

 it, and thereby throw his rider, or hurt him- 

 self. The rider on the contrary must, with a 

 light and ready hand, keep his head steady 

 and straight to the bar. 



If a horse leap willingly, let him take his 

 own pace to it, and he will be sure to spring 

 from his proper distance, and give himself 

 that velocity which will assist his spring. 

 Twelve yards from the Leap, the rider may 

 turn his horse to it in a trot ; the horse will 

 strike into the gallop ; and a stroke or two 

 before he springs will increase his velocity, 

 if he perceive that the height he has to cover 

 requires that exertion. If a horse be indo- 

 lent and require some animation, it is better 

 to apply the spurs to rouse his apathy just 



