CHAPTER VI. 



THE HALT FROM THE GALLOP. THE USE OF 



THE SPURS. 



THE too constant use of the spurs will deaden 

 the sensibilities of the horse, and render 

 it dull and sluggish. Every saddle horse should 

 be taught to bear the attacks of the spur with 

 complacency, but the occasions when the sharp 

 rowel is required on a well-trained horse are 

 very rare. The schooling of a horse renders it 

 quick and vivacious; some horses show so 

 much mettle and life that their obedience 

 appears w^onderful to the uninitiated ; yet that 

 very vivacity is one of the results of schooling, 

 and the animal is taught to be ready to obey 

 the most gently given demand with precision 

 and alacrity. The mare which I rode for the 

 illustrations of the advanced lessons in this 

 book, shows quick and vigorous movements ; 

 but she has not been touched with the spur 

 three times since she was taught to bear its 



