Horse Training by Modern Methods

by Allan Melvill Pope

From Paragraph 2: As the head and neck are raised to assist in raising the fore quarters, the rider’s body should not lean forward of the perpendicular, for this would hinder the movement. As the horse’s object is to lighten the fore quarters, it follows that great speed is a detriment to a horse in jumping, for the more speed the more weight upon the forehand. Raising the head and neck necessitates lengthening the reins at the moment of extension, or letting them slide through the fingers. It follows then, that, as a false movement of the hand with a severe bit causes greater injury than one with a snaffle bit, a snaffle bit should be used in jumping until proficiency is obtained.

From Paragraph 3: To facilitate the bringing well up under the body of the hind leg, the rider’s legs must be carried back.

From Paragraph 5: The weight of the rider’s body must set to the rear to assist the horse by lightening the load on the forehand while landing. If a severe bit or a hard hand pulls the head in and bends the neck while the horse is in this position, by cramping the muscles of the neck the horse is prevented from stretching his legs to the front to insure a safe landing.

From Paragraph 7: If the rider’s weight is forward or he is thrown upon the horse’s neck while the horse is landing, the extra weight on the forehand prevents the fore leg being picked up and causes over-reaching. Extreme speed has the same effect with the same result.

From Paragraphs 8 and 9: It is seen that the horse is galloping with the other lead after landing. In jumping in the riding-hall care should be exercised at the corner beyond the jump if at the gallop, for, if galloping correctly at the start, the horse is galloping false after the jump.

Teaching the Horse to Jump.—Place a bar upon the ground and lead the horse over it at a walk. When the horse executes this movement correctly, raise the bar to about two feet and jump the horse upon the longe.

To Jump a Horse on the Longe.—First instruct the horse sufficiently upon the longe until he goes equally well on either hand. Approach the jump, the horse circling on the longe on the left hand, for instance. The trainer holds the longe in the left hand so that it can be allowed to run out with ease; the longeing-whip is held in the right hand. Circle the horse near the jump until the horse goes quietly. The circles are made slightly in rear of the jump. When the horse is quiet, move so that the jump will intercept the circle the horse is making. As the horse approaches the jump the trainer, with the longe fairly taut, likewise approaches the end of the bar nearest him, keeping the longeing-whip held in rear of the horse. Urge the horse with the whip, if necessary, until he jumps. After taking off, let the longe run through the fingers so as not to yank the horse or bring him up short. When the horse does well, stop him and caress him or give him carrots or oats.

Jumping should be begun at first at the walk, then at the trot and gallop. The horse jumping for the first time gauges his stride more easily at the walk.