116 ANGLO-FRENCH HORSEMANSHIP 



lateral and diagonal aids, but I think that those who are 

 opposed to the diagonal aids do not sufficiently 

 appreciate the instructions given by those who recom- 

 mend them, viz., that the action on the diagonal rein 

 should be upwards and not direct towards the body : 

 while those who recommend the diagonal aids really 

 produce the movement with lateral aids and a 

 diagonal effect of the hand, and develop the action with 

 the aid of the diagonal rein, e.g., if they want to change 

 the leading leg in the canter they cause the horse to 

 change with the lateral aids, at the same time slightly 

 easing and raising the diagonal hand, which then, with 

 intermittent touches on the mouth, keeps the horse 

 straight and causes him to cadence his pace, whilst a 

 steady low feeling on the other rein prevents him from 

 changing. 



(b) The spur can be used in several different ways, 

 and for High School work it should be placed in the 

 heel of the boot, or in the centre of the rider's heel. 

 When applying the spurs the muscles of the legs should 

 be kept relaxed. 



Caresser de I'eperon. Close in the thighs and knees 

 and stroke the sides with the side of the spur as with a 

 finger ; this causes the horse to bring the hind legs well 

 under and to extend his fore action. In the trot, this 

 stroke can be given every time the rider comes down on 

 the saddle. 



Presser de I'eperon. Press in the spurs with pro- 

 gressive force, to fix the horse's attention, and cause 

 him to relax the muscles of the neck and jaw, and yield 

 to the hand and leg : continued pressure should, 

 however, only be applied by the side of the spurs, the 

 rowels being pressed in and withdrawn quickly if the 

 horse does not answer to the pressure. 



Pincer de I'eperon. Close in the knees and legs 

 firmly, turn out the toes and touch the horse sharply 

 with the rowels, withdrawing them only about an inch 



