54 TO MOUNT, RIDE, AND GAIT A HORSE. 



as it were, I mean his forces so under your control that 

 you can gather them together and use all at once for your 

 gallop or jump, or what you please, may be called a 

 saddle-horse and a broken horse. 



Do not understand that the spurs are to be kept against 

 the horse's side ; the withdrawal of them at the right time is 

 just as important as giving the hand at the proper time; 

 in fact, it is the leading principle in the management of 

 the horse to withdraw all punishment and annoyance as 

 soon as he ceases to resist and executes the movement 

 required. On the subject of spurs, I would advise the be- 

 ginner to use dull ones, just sharp enough in the rowels 

 to let the animal feel them, as a slight punishment. As 

 he progresses in the knowledge of his horse and the effect 

 of the spurs, he can use them as sharp as he pleases, they 

 being under his control as well as his horse. 



For further information on the subject of the spur and 

 its use or abuse, I refer the reader to the Earl of Pem- 

 broke's treatise on horsemanship, and also to Sir Sydney 

 Meadow's on the same ; the Duke of Newcastle's book may 

 also be consulted on the same subject, and on the use of 

 the cavisson. 



Only one difficulty now may occur, and that is not 

 of much moment, being so easily rectified, viz., the 

 leading off with his right leg, making a sort of cross 

 gallop, which is very unpleasant to the rider, who will 

 detect it at once from the cross motion. Slow his motion 

 (still in the gallop), and when you make the short turn at 

 the corner of the room, or in turning any corner, raise 

 the left rein (snaffle) and apply the right spur, so that he 

 will sensibly feel it ; the action on both must be at the 

 same moment to produce the desired effect, and he will 

 change in the same moment and go on leading properly 

 with the left leg. 



