TEACHING HORSES TO TAKE HIGH JUMPS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 172, 13 August 1909, Page 3

TEACHING HORSES TO TAKE HIGH JUMPS.

The marvellous exhibition of high jumping at the recent Royal Horse Show at Home has produced a newworld's record. The horse Jubilee, owned and ridden by Captain Borille, of the 4th Regiment French Cuirassiers, cleared a hurdle 7ft 4in in height with perfect ease. Few of the people who applauded this wonderful performance, however, had any idea of the months of patient training required before a horse can lie induced to successfully take such a high jump. A Tit-Bits representative had a chat cn the subject with -Mr. H. Auckland, who is one of the greatest authorities in the world on training horses to jump. "11l nioit cases," he said, "each rider lias liia own pet scheme. Usually a horse is not selected until it is' at least four years old. When it is hungry it is placed in a small paddock, with a tiny I'urdle across the centre not more than twelve inches high. Then, in full view of the pnpil, a rider on a veteran jumper goes several times over the tiny obstacle. "The trainer then goes to the side of the paddock opposite to the pupil and Jinl '-' a r-casure of corn or other tit-bit 6u l!? it Hie animal can see It, and at the same time calls the horse by name. The horse, eager to get the food, soon jumps across the hurdle, and after it lias eaten a few mouthfuls the trainer goes to the other side of the ring anil repeats the lesson. Thisi is done day after day, until the horse realises what is expected of it, and then the hurdle is gradually increased in height. "Up to thin time the horse has no rider, but at this point the animal is I tried with a man on its back. Tf he has learnt the lesson, he is then taken - cut into the country, where it is expected to take ditches, fences, or hedges until the animal has sufficient nerve to juake living jumps in a public arena." Another very successful method is termed lunging. A long rein or cord is attached to (lie bit and tile animal is exercised In a circle, in which a hurdle lias been placed or a Shallow ditch dug. Ipiiff-lastied whip, used only to keep r " 1V 'notion, will keep him lip to his -'Hi' Soon tiie horse will enter into • ' ; > it of the occasion, and will show !,i- ae.ight in the exercise.