SEAT, LEGS AND SPURS 31 



attempt this, as if the pressure is not maintained until 

 the horse is thoroughly mastered, he may become 

 permanently restive. Sensitive horses should not be 

 steadied in this way until they have been trained to 

 take the pressure of the spurs ; in dealing with mares 

 the rider should be very careful, as they may lose all 

 their dash and cease to answer to the leg with forward 

 movement. 



In the case of untrained horses, a strong grip with 

 the sides of the heels or the steady gentle pressure of 

 both calves, or intermittent touches of the spurs, 

 generally suffices to bring him under control by driving 

 him into his bridle. 



When a horse is trained, steady graduated pressure 

 of the spurs, near the girth, and of the bit, " immobilise " 

 and calm him, while intermittent touches of the spurs, 

 apphed after drawing back the heels, mobilise the hind- 

 quarters, and animate and collect him. 



As the touch of the spurs has a spasmodic effect, 

 they are not of much use as " accelerators ; '* the 

 forward inclination of the rider's body, and the pressure 

 of the ankles, have much more effect ; whilst a touch 

 on the leading elbow from the toe is most effective in 

 making a horse extend himself in the gallop. 



When punishing with the spurs, the rider must 

 consider the sensibility of the horse, and not the gravity 

 of the fault committed nor his own feeling of anger, 

 and the punishment should commence and end with 

 misbehaviour. 



If the horse kicks on feeling the spur, the spurs 

 should be again pressed in once or twice rather sharply, 

 but a horse will rarely kick if the spurs are applied 

 against or just behind the girths, when used to 

 punish. 



