SPURS, ANCIENT AND MODERN 173 



a mistake to attempt to use them, even though 

 a boot looks better with them. Yet it is quite 

 worth while when exercising to attempt to make 

 an effort to get your mount to tolerate them. 

 Let the horse be tired first, and thus learn that 

 you do not wish to prick him. He will soon 

 learn this under ordinary circumstances. Even 

 kickers, with judicious handling and firm horse- 

 manship, permit spurs without rowels if they 

 are introduced to them in this way. But the 

 right expression would be, perhaps, re-introduce, 

 as few horses resent spurs without rowels if they 

 have not been previously punished with others 

 having rowels. 



You cannot gash a horse, if you become half- 

 unseated, with spurs which have no rowels. 



If a hunter is courageous and consequently fond 

 of jumping, it is a great pity to use rowels. Yet, 

 on the whole, it is better to ride with spurs that 

 are virtually so blunt that you cannot draw blood 

 with them if you wish. 



By all means let a sensible young horse know 

 what rowels feel like. They will teach him to 

 walk well and run up to his bit. When he 

 understands this unpleasant sharpness, ride him 

 without any. 



