THE SPURS AND THEIR EFFECTS 



If the horse drops its head when spurred, the 

 rider takes the snaffle in one hand and lifts the head 

 with the snaffle, never with the bit. The attack is 

 completely successful when the horse's head and 

 neck go steadily upward and forward upon the hand 

 of the rider, the face nearly perpendicular to the 

 ground and the lower jaw open. 



Thereupon follows a sensation well known to 

 masters of the art. As the attacks bring the hind 

 legs below the haunches, the coupling is lightly 

 opened, while the hand, acting upon the bit, 

 throws back upon the rear legs a portion of the load 

 previously supported by the front pair. The rider 

 feels the weight pass below his seat. He hears the 

 saddle give a sudden crack as the muscles of the 

 trunk contract. Still, it is not absolutely necessary 

 that these two sensations should accompany the 

 collection of the horse into equilibrium. I have 

 found some horses in which they do not always 

 occur. 



To a young trainer, these attacks of the spurs 

 appear terrible and dangerous. To the consum- 

 mate esquire, they are the simplest matter. The 

 scientific equitation does not regard an animal as 

 trained if it does not respond to the attack by 

 collecting itself, or if the attack throws it out of 

 the state of equilibrium. 



The attack of the spurs should always be deft 

 le toucher delicat de Veperon, is the phrase of the 

 Grand Master, Comte de la Gueriniere. These are 



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