98 ANGLO-FRENCH HORSEMANSHIP 



the spurs fit against the centre of the rider's heels, so 

 that the calf and ankle can be pressed in, with the toes 

 turned slightly out, without the spurs touching the 

 sides. If needle points are used, they should only 

 project slightly beyond the spur, and the rowel should 

 fit firmly round the pin so that the points cannot be 

 pressed into the boss, and if the rider wishes to apply 

 the rowels the toes should be gradually turned out until, 

 if necessary, the points of the rowels strike straight in ; 

 personally, however, I have no use for sharp points. 



The best kind of rough rowel is that which Messrs. 

 Maxwell call pencil -pointed, as they neither prick nor 

 cut the skin and yet animate the horse, and if the rider 

 wears the spurs sloping downwards and low on the heels, 

 and keeps his heels down, he will be able to exert the 

 full pressure of the legs without the spurs touching the 

 sides ; when he wants to bring the spurs into operation 

 he has merely to drop the toes or bend the knees. 



For High School work a 2 |-inch counter to the boot, 

 an under spur strap measuring 9 inches from hole to 

 hole, and a sloping spur so as to bring the rowel low 

 down, give the best results ; a spur rest is most harmful 

 as the spur being straight and unyielding gives a 

 painful blow to the sides. Where aj^pearances are a 

 consideration the spur mentioned in Chapter III., 

 p. 28, again suggests itself. 



The indication of the proper use of the spur as an aid 

 is a slight shiver in the horse's skin, the same as when a 

 fly is on it, and this is produced by drawing back the 

 heels with the feet parallel with the girths till the spur 

 touches the hair. It helps to get this light touch if the 

 knees are turned slightly in. 



It must be borne in mind that rough or sharp sjDurs 

 are apt to upset the rhythm of a movement, and to make 



