GENEKAL KULES. 305 



spurs, and that, for this purpose, it should always be 

 applied under the horse's chest, about where the girth 

 lies, and never to the buttocks or hind legs> as this 

 usually ends in kicking. The same rule applies equally 

 to the riding-whip ; but this may be also used to great 

 advantage on the horse's shoulders as, for instance, in 

 cases where the horse is preparing to rear the effect 

 being to unfix its fore legs from the ground and make it 

 put them forward, just as, when applied under the 

 belly, it brings the hind legs in the same direction. 

 Therefore it is absurd, when a horse defends itself by 

 gathering its legs under it, to strike it under the belly, 

 whereas one or two strokes smartly applied to the 

 shoulders may probably have the effect of getting the 

 fore legs stretched ahead. The promptness and rapidity 

 with which the stroke is given, wherever applied, deter- 

 mines, to a great extent, its value ; for if the horse sees 

 it coming, it will flinch away if possible, just as it does 

 from a far-fetched stab with the spur ; and it can do 

 this much more easily with the hind quarters than with 

 its forehand, which is precisely the reason why a flogging 

 that is, repeated blows aimed at the same place is 

 generally useless, to say the least, whilst one or two on 

 the shoulders tell at once. The manner of holding the 

 whip or rod has much to do with this. We have often 

 been amused at hearing would-be sportsmen turn Con- 

 tinental, riders to ridicule for holding their whips or 

 switches with the point upwards, as if they only wanted 

 to imitate a sabre, whereas this is in reality the position 

 from which a quick smart stroke on the shoulders can be 

 most effectually applied ; for if the point be held down- 

 wards, it must be first brought up, and then down again, 

 so that it probably conies too late. 



