SPUR. 179 



used a spur she would be at a still greater disad- 

 vantage, because, in order to escape the pain of 

 the ''persuader," the animal would naturally swing 

 his hind quarters round to the right, and would 

 consequently bring his fore-hand still more to the left, 

 by the action of this misapplied " aid." If the lady's 

 whip is not sufficiently long to give her mount the 

 requisite reminder on the off flank, either by being 

 pressed closely against it, or by the administration of a 

 sharp tap, it will be useless for straightening him. 

 Lady Augusta Fane, who is one of the best horse- 

 women in Leicestershire, and who certainlv rides a 

 greater variety of hunters during a season than any 

 other lady in the Shires, is strongly opposed to the use 

 of the spur. She tells me that '' if a horse is so sticky 

 as to require a spur, he is no hunter for this country ; 

 and if he is a determined refuser, no woman, spur or no 

 spur, can make him gallop to these big fences and jump. 

 I consider a spur a very cruel thing, and feel certain 

 that many men would find their horses go better, and 

 jump better, if they left their spurs at home, and many 

 accidents would be avoided." Lord Harrington, who 

 is well known as a fiine horseman, also dislikes spurs, 

 and has advocated their abolition in the Yeomanry. In 

 this he should receive the support of all good riders, as 

 they know that placid-tempered horses have better 

 paces, higher courage, superior staying power, and 

 greater cleverness and tact in times of danger than ex- 

 citable ones. In polo, where the legs are far more 

 required for guiding the horse than in hunting, the use 



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