CHAPTER XVII 

 THE SPURS AND THEIR EFFECTS 



SPURS had, at first, no rowels; but were stiletto-like 

 and long. At that epoch, the bit, called buade, was 

 very severe; and the saddle had high pommels 

 before and behind. The rider's legs, therefore, 

 extended straight down; and since he could not 

 bend his knee, he needed the long spur to counteract 

 the too powerful effect of the bit. Even to-day the 

 Arabs still use this type of spur, called shabir. 



But with the progress of equitation, effects of 

 force have given way to force of effects, arid the 

 stiletto point has been superseded by rowels, 

 severe, medium, or mild in proportion to the 

 sharpness of their points. The choice of the right 

 degree of severity of the rowels needed for any 

 particular animal is governed by the creature's 

 dullness or sensibility, and determined by the rid- 

 er's equestrian tact. In any case, the horse has to be 

 first accustomed to dull rowels and trained progres- 

 sively to those more severe. 



A great many sorts of rowel have been used, with 

 various theories to explain their different forms. 

 Practically, it is important to have the rowels turn 

 loosely on their pivots. Otherwise, the horse's 

 hairs may collect around them and prevent their 

 turning at all. In that event, the points, being fixed, 



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