28 ANGLO-FRENCH HORSEMANSHIP 



that there should not be any spur rest, so that the spur 

 can fall downwards when the straps are fairly loose ; 

 the action of the spur is then softer, and not so likely 

 to bruise and hurt the sides and ribs when the legs are 

 used.* 



The legs should, in fact, be kept away from the 

 horse's sides as much as possible, and when sharp spurs 

 are used to punish or animate a horse, they should touch 

 him just behind the girths, where they are least likely 

 to make him kick ; before using the rowels the rider 

 should, therefore, turn out his toes, whilst keeping the 

 side of the knees against the saddle, and he should onty 

 withdraw them about an inch from the sides between 

 each touch ; the calves maintaining a firm feeling till 

 the spurs, by one or two pricks quickly following one 

 another, make the horse answer to them. 



The accurate use of the spurs depends, to some 

 extent, on the proper adjustment of the stirrup leathers, 

 which should not be too long ; and if the rider does not 

 want to prick his horse with the rowels when closing in 

 his legs, he should keep his heels down, and when 

 drawing back the heels the feet should be parallel mth 

 the horse's sides and the knees turned into the saddle ; 

 it should also be borne in mind, if sharp spurs are used, 

 that after the first two pricks the skin is no longer 

 sensitive, and further use of the spurs only digs holes 

 without influencing the horse. 



On the Baucher system a horse is gradually trained 

 to take, without moving anything but his lower jaw, 



* Since writing this I have tried a pair of spurs recommended 

 by Major M. Borwick, D.S.O., which have given the greatest 

 satisfaction to both myself and horse. They are made by Messrs. 

 Maxwell^ of Dover Street, London, and have a pronounced 

 downward curve to the necks ; they look smart and are very 

 soft and effective in use. 



