HORSEMANSHIP. 37 



of the calves, and the delicate pricking of 

 the spur, and the action of pressing on the 

 stirrups. 



The help of the thighs and the back part 

 of the knees, is made by pressing them on 

 both sides at once, for the purpose of urging 

 the horse forwards, or only on one side to 

 warn him that he yields too much on this 

 side. This help when used a little vigorously, 

 is often more efficacious than the spur, for 

 ticklish horses that hold back from pure 

 malice ; that of the calf of the legs, which is 

 produced by drawing them near the belly, 

 warns the horse that he has not answered to 

 the first warning, and that the spur is not 

 far off. 



The delicate pricking of the spur, which 

 ought to touch the hair lightly, and not to 

 prick the hide, is more expressive than all 

 the helps, and if the horse does not answer 

 to it, you must press the spurs vigorously. 



To conclude, the pressing on the stirrups, 

 although the mildest of all the helps, is suffi- 

 cient for very tender and well trained horses. 

 You must sometimes press at once upon the 

 two, sojjjetimes upon the one inside or outside 

 4 



