116 HACKS AND HUNTERS 



his side, unless she is armed with the aforementioned 

 rowelled or sharp spur. A woman's spur, in any case, 

 owing to the fact that it is often intercepted by her 

 skirt, is less effective than a man's, but, for all that, is 

 quite useful enough. 



The whip, or stick, either alone or in conjunction 

 with the heel and spur, should be used as an indicator 

 and but rarely as a means of punishment. Few horses 

 should ever be severely whipped, except really mean 

 ones, previously badly trained, and on whom all other 

 tactics have already been tried without success. St. 

 Francis de Sale's words, that " Nothing is so strong as 

 gentleness; nothing so gentle as strength," is even 

 more applicable in our dealings with animals than 

 with humans. 



For ordinary use a stick of sufficient length to en- 

 able one to touch the horse's flank with a gentle tap 

 is all that is needed. The cutting-whip, owing to its 

 severity, is reserved for schooling and racing. After 

 much practice one can learn to twirl it, catch it on 

 one's little finger, pick it up and bring it down on a 

 horse the way a jockey might, but only one person 

 in a hundred ever accomplishes this feat, for it is very 

 difficult and needs almost as much practice as learn- 

 ing to catch a four-in-hand thong. Unless, therefore, 

 one is sure of not dropping it, it is better not attempted. 



All sticks and whips, of whatever variety, should be 

 held about half-way up the stick and with the point 

 always pointing upward. In talking or gesticulating 

 one should never raise the right hand with the whip 

 in it, as it is apt to frighten the horse. In order also 

 not to annoy a neighbor's mount, it is better, when 

 riding in company, and, for that matter, smarter-look- 

 ing at all times, to carry one's whip or stick close to 



