LEAPING—is a leading perfection in a horse that very much enhances his value as a HUNTER; without which qualification, he is held in no great estimation when shewn in the field. LEAPING, in its general signification, extends to the two kinds called _flying_ and _standing_; a horse perfect in each, with equal temper, and a fair portion of SPEED, is then called a complete or made HUNTER; and if he has a corresponding uniformity of figure, and excellence of action, both his reputation and worth become increased in proportion. There are very few horses of speed and spirit, but what become good FLYING LEAPERS by short practice in the field with hounds, which, indeed, is the only proper place to teach them; but it is not so with STANDING LEAPS which should be taught _coolly_ and _calmly_ at the leaping-bar, with great serenity of temper, patience, and perseverance, by which alone any horse can attain perfection. LEASH,—the sporting term in use to imply the number THREE, as exceeding ONE, and not reaching TWO brace; for instance, a brace of hares, a leash of pheasants, and two brace of partridges. A brace of pointers, a leash of greyhounds, and two brace of spaniels. Custom, however, in this, as in most other things, admits of deviation and exception; in proof of which we say, a brace of spaniels, a couple and a half of hounds, and two brace of pointers. A brace of snipes, a couple and a half of woodcocks, and two couple of rabbits. It is therefore confident, and sportsman-like, to say, a LEASH of birds, (partridges,) a leash of pheasants, a leash of hares, or any other article where TWO are termed a BRACE; but improper to call _three_ a LEASH, where two of the kind are called a COUPLE. LEGS.—The legs of a horse are, in their length, shape, and construction, so material to graceful and expeditious action, that they become, at the time of purchase, objects of minute inspection: if observed _too long_, in proportion to the DEPTH of the CHEST, and the LENGTH of the CARCASE, they may be considered a tolerable criterion of constitutional _weakness_, as few of this description are found equal to a constant repetition of even moderate work. Too straight in the lower part of the leg, with the hoof overhung by the fetlock, is an indication of stiffness and constraint in action; as, on the contrary, those who are exceeding long in the lower joints, and whose pasterns extend the hoof considerably before the leg, with a palpable bend or flexibility in walking, and the heel nearly down to the ground, are mostly horses of speed, (so far as their strength will permit;) but they are in general _weak_ in those parts, and there is always a well-founded fear of their breaking down. The legs and feet are constantly liable to _injuries_, _accidents_, and _defects_, as CRACKS, SPLENTS, THRUSHES, &c. all which are explained under their different heads.