114 HACKS AND HUNTERS 



sure of the calf, a man can literally squeeze a horse 

 up into his bridle. With a woman the action of the 

 left leg must often be supplanted by an equally gentle 

 pressure of the stick on the right side, for (unless the 

 horse is well accustomed to being ridden under a side- 

 saddle, and understands various signals, such as the 

 altering of the weight in the saddle in addition to the 

 use of the leg), he might misinterpret it and take it 

 for a signal to change his gait or to change leads. 



The efficiency with which the heel acts is greatly 

 increased if a blunt polo spur is worn. This, how- 

 ever, only applies to an experienced rider who has her- 

 self in such perfect control that she will never, even 

 inadvertently, touch her mount when jumping, or 

 should he play up or kick. There is a very apt 

 French saying: " UEperon estun rasoir dans les mains 

 d'un singe" ("A spur is a razor in the hands of a 

 monkey")- This applies with peculiar fitness to a 

 spur on the heel of children, beginners, or even the 

 average indifferent rider. 



On the other hand, for a good rider a spur is extremely 

 effective in making a horse go collectedly.* One oc- 

 casionally hears it said that spurs of any kind are 

 cruel, but this undoubtedly arises from the fact that 

 some people seem to confuse a blunt spur with a 

 sharp one. I quite agree that the use of a sharp or 

 rowelled spur is, at all times, unnecessary, and that 

 it can very easily become an instrument of torture. 

 Particularly is this true when it is used by a woman 

 in a side-saddle, who, owing to her position, can only 

 apply a spur more or less parallel to the horse's sides, 



* It is all nonsense to say that it is dangerous to wear a spur for fear 

 of its catching in the stirrup-iron in case of an accident. In any case 

 with a proper safety bar the iron would come out. 



