THE SPUR OF THE MOMENT. 169 



even blood is to be distressed, and I must say I 

 always feel that when distress comes on, pleasure 

 goes off. Some do not think so ; but of such perhaps 

 the less we say the better. 



Having hitherto complimented the head and hands 

 quite sufficiently, I am quite ready to allow the heels 

 their fair share ; and so useful do I think them, when 

 controlled by the head and acting in concert with the 

 hands, that when on horseback I consider they should 

 in most cases have a pair of spurs attached to them. 

 The only difference of opinion between myself and 

 some others of their utility consists in this: they 

 begin to use them most when I consider they ought 

 not to be used at all, namely, when their horse is 

 beat. I consider spurs should be worn for more rea- 

 sons than I shall now specify : but of these I will 

 mention a few. Many horses, I think indeed the 

 generality of them, go livelier and safer when they 

 are aware we have spurs on : it keeps them on the 

 qui vive, and frequently prevents them attempting to 

 do wrong, knowing we have so ready a mode of 

 punishment at hand, or rather at heel. If we want 

 an unlooked-for and momentary exertion made, no- 

 thing produces it like the spurs. If a horse becomes 

 refractory, we probably (nay certainly) want both 

 hands for our reins : what could we do in this case 

 without spurs ? With a horse which is apt to swerve 

 at his fences, we cannot so well keep him straight 

 with one hand while we use the whip with the other : 

 here the spurs must come into use, and in such a 

 case, cork him tight, and that with a pair of Latch- 

 ford's best. Still this would not do in all cases. I 

 can mention one. 



I had a mare, as fine a fencer as ever was 

 ridden, but a little nervous in facing any thing 



