72 RIDING FOR LADIES. 



brass, and soles strong but not thick. A leather stud 

 should be sewn on the left boot, about two and a half inches 

 above the heel, on which stud the spur should rest, and 

 thus be kept in its place without tight buckling. The spur 

 found to be the most useful after a trial of many is a rowel 

 spur of plated steel (the flat tapered-side, elastic, five-pointed 

 hunting), about two to two and a half inches long, strong 

 and light, hunting shape, and fastened with a strap and 

 buckle, the foot-strap of plated steel chain. This chain 

 foot-strap looks neater than a leather one, and does not 

 become cut or worn out when on foot on rough, rocky- 

 ground. The rowel pin is a screw-pin ; thus the rowel can 

 be changed at pleasure, and a sharp or blunt one fitted as 

 required by the horse one rides." \In lieu of cha??iois 

 leather I would suggest undressed deer-ski?tj as supplied by 

 Messrs. E, Tautz and Sons, 485, Oxford Street, Lo7idon, 

 which is as soft as velvet, and needs no additional lining, so 

 apt to crease. And instead of the boots I recommend water- 

 proofed Russia leather or brown hide, such as men use for 

 polo, as manifactured by Faulkner, 52, South Alolton Street, 

 London, W., with low, flat heels tipped with mild steel.] 

 The lady's idea, except with regard to the interchangeable 

 rowel, the pin of which must work loose, is good. 



This brings me to the much-vexed subject of the Spur, its 

 use and abuse. Ladies should not be mounted on horses 

 requiring severe punishment ; but there are occasions, oft and 

 many, when " a reminder " from a sharp-pointed rowel will 

 prove of service. I do not say that lady riders should always 

 wear a persuader ; on a free-going, generous horse it would 

 be out of place, irritating, and annoying ; but on a lymphatic 

 slug, or in the case of a display of temper, the armed heel 

 is most necessary. We must bear in mind that almost all 

 of the highest priced ladies' horses have been broken in 



