CHAPTER IV. JUMPING.

It is generally said that to make a horse jump, the hands should be raised the moment he comes to the fence ; but in acting thus his natural powers are hampered and he is prevented from jumping freely.

In order to jump, he should have his head and neck perfectly free, because if they are raised by the hands their freedom and spring will be spoiled, and the weight will be thrown on the hind quarters. Consequently, if he has a light mouth he will pull up in front of the fence, and if he has a hard mouth he will get the better of his rider, in which case he can only make a half-rear, and consequently his fore legs will clear the obstacle and his hind legs will catch in it. Hence, while driving him forward with the legs, we pull him back with the reins. The forehand can get the better of the curb, but only by an effort which will considerably tire the horse.

There is a general theory for making horses jump, but we can quickly see that, in practice, each horse has his own particular way of leaping. In my opinion, the best way to teach a horse to jump is at first to place a log of wood on the ground, and lead him over it at the walk. When he obeys, he should be patted on the neck and have some carrots, so as to gain his confidence. This will be an affair of only two or