16 CAVALRY HORSEMANSHIP 



energetically and by decided intermittent pressure of 

 the calves if he hesitates to go forward. 



(b) When one leg only, the right for instance, acts 

 behind the girths, it should have the effect whilst 

 causing forward movement to push the quarters to the 

 left. The horse looks to the right if he is standing 

 and moves forward, turns to the right whilst increasing 

 his pace if he is moving. This action is produced by 

 drawing back the heel slightly and progressively, so 

 as not to surprise the horse ; by intermittent pressure 

 of the calves if he hesitates to yield, and by removing 

 all pressure the moment he obeys. 



(c) The right leg acting against the girth, when the 

 left leg prevents the displacement of the quarters, will 

 have the effect of bending the horse to the right and 

 of bringing the right hind leg under the body. This 

 action of the leg should be employed when the horse is 

 standing : it requires great tact and belongs rather 

 to the high school of riding. 



The spur serves on occasions to strengthen the 

 action of the leg and to render the obedience of the 

 horse more prompt. It is to the leg, what the curb is 

 to the hand. It should be used with discretion, in 

 accordance with the desired results, and the horse's 

 sensibility. A distinction, however, should be drawn 

 between the energetic pressures intended to force the 

 horse forwards or to punish him, and the quick, light 

 touch of the spur which is one of the fine aids. " 



Action of the reins. — The reins act on the horse's 

 mouth by means of the bits. In order that this effect 

 may be accurate, they must be held at a right length 

 and stretched during work : if they are slack the 

 indications of the hand will not reach the horse, or 

 they will be confused, or perhaps, in the form of " jobs," 



