WHIPS AND SPURS 113 



a horse intended for the saddle should be gradually 

 accustomed to them. Do not, of course, start off 

 straight away with the ordinary sharp spur, but begin 

 by getting the animal used to the pressure of the mere 

 boot-heel. From this you can proceed to giving him 

 a dose of the blunt rowelless spur, and so on, gradually 

 to the ordinary spur. 



Leading. — As a rule, not much trouble is experi- 

 enced in teaching a horse to follow one either with a 

 bridle or halter, and if the animal has been already 

 schooled with the long reins, he will be almost certain 

 to " lead " easily. Any trifling obstinacy which he 

 may display under these circumstances can generally 

 be overcome by persuasion and firmness on the part 

 of the person leading him. It is strongly advisable 

 that a horse should be taught to " lead " on both the 

 near and the off sides. It is a general custom, of 

 course, to lead from the near side, probably because 

 in that way the attendant obtains the freest possible 

 use of his right hand, having more control over the 

 animal. 



There are a few rules with regard to the leading of 

 horses, which it may be well to recapitulate. One of 



