_Standing Leap._
In the standing leap, the horse first shortens, and then extends
himself. Readiness in the hand of the rider is therefore requisite to
give the appropriate aids. These, if well timed, assist the horse: if
otherwise, they check or embarrass him, and endanger both the animal
and his rider. (Plates XLI. XLII. illustrate the Leap.)
The rider must therefore, by a ready and fearless yielding of the
bridle, leave the horse at liberty to extend himself, preserving his
own equilibrium only by leaning forward, as the horse rises, and
backward as he alights. When he is brought to the bar, the body is to
be upright. The legs are to be applied to his sides with such firmness
as to keep the rider down to the saddle, and in such a manner--viz.,
perpendicularly from the knee--that the action of the body shall not
loosen or disturb them. The toes must be pulled up, to make the muscles
firm, and to prevent the spur from approaching too near the horse; and,
if necessary, they may be turned out a little to strengthen the hold.
The hand must be kept in the centre, and quite low; and the reins not
too short, but just by the pressure of the fingers to feel the horse’s
mouth. When at the bar, the pressure of the legs and fingers will
invite the horse to rise; and, as he rises, the body comes forward and
preserves its perpendicular. The back must then be kept in, and the
head firm.
As the horse springs from his hind legs, and proceeds in the leap,
the rider must slip his buttock under him, and let his body go freely
back, keeping his hands down, legs close, and body back, till the
horse’s hind legs have come to the ground. The propriety of applying
the legs to hold firm in the saddle is obvious. The hand being kept low
is essential; and the bad consequences of raising it are numerous, as
confining the horse, preventing the body going back, throwing the rider
forward, &c.
The body coming forward to preserve its perpendicular as the horse
rises before, prevents the weight of the rider from hanging on his
mouth, and checking his leap, if not pulling him over backwards. The
back being hollow when the spring forward is made, the body will of
itself fall backward, if the hand be not raised to prevent it; and the
head being firm may prevent a wrench of the neck, or a bite of the
tongue. Slipping the breech under gives the body more liberty to lean
back, and prevents the shock of the horse’s feet meeting the ground,
from throwing it forward.
While the seat is thus maintained, the hand must not be neglected. In
riding up to a leap, the rider should yield the bridle to the horse,
guiding him straight to the bar at an animated pace; halt him with a
light hand, and upon his haunches; when he rises, only feel the reins
to prevent their becoming slack; when he springs forward, yield the
hand without reserve; and, when his hind feet come to the ground,
again firmly collect him, resume his usual position, and move on at
the former pace. If the horse be too much collected previous to his
leap, he will bound, or buck over, as it is called. If not sufficiently
collected or animated, he will probably not clear the leap. The degree
in which a horse should be collected and animated depends on the
temperament of the animal, and must be left to the judgment of the
rider.
_Flying Leap._
The flying leap is distinguished from the standing leap by its being
made from any pace without a previous halt; and although the action is
quicker, it is much easier. The pace, however, at which the rider goes
at a flying leap, should always be moderate, in order that the horse
may not rise too soon or too late.
A horse who rises too far from the bar seldom clears his leap, and
risks straining by the effort to cover it; one who rises too near is
likely to strike his knees against it, and throw his rider, or hurt
himself. If a horse be indolent, and require animation, it is better
to rouse his apathy by the spur just before his head is turned towards
the leap, than while he is running at it. If he leap willingly, let him
take his own pace to it, and he will spring from his proper distance,
and give himself due velocity. Twelve yards from the leap, the rider
may turn his horse to it in a trot; he will strike into a gallop; and,
by a stroke or two before he springs, increase his velocity, if he
perceive that the height he has to cover requires that exertion.
The seat in the flying leap is exactly the same as in the standing one;
but, as the horse keeps a more horizontal position, it is easier. The
rider, however, must not bring his body forward at the raising of the
fore legs, because the spring from the hind legs immediately follows,
and the body not only might not get back in time, but, if the horse did
not come fair, or refused to take his leap, and checked himself, the
body, if forward, might cause the rider to tumble over his head. He
should therefore keep his body upright; take hold with his legs; keep
his hand down; and, as the horse springs forward, his body is sure to
take the corresponding action of leaning back, particularly if he, at
the instant, slip his breech under him, and bring his waist forward
with an exertion proportioned to the spring the horse makes. He must
also take care not to bring his body upright, nor slacken the hold with
his legs, till after the hind feet have come to the ground.
In this leap, the horse requires but little support or assistance
from the hand till he is coming to the ground, when the hand aids in
bringing the body upright, and in supporting the horse. The assisting
and lifting a horse over leaps may be done only by experienced riders,
and even by them only when he leaps freely and determinedly. Whips
should not be used when the rider first practises leaping.