THE REASONED EQUITATION 



Since, then, the spurs are the most powerful 

 means recognized by equitation, their employment 

 demands moderation, intelligence, experience, just- 

 ness, exactness, propriety, accuracy, equality, pre- 

 cision, and faith, as moral qualifications, and, 

 as physical basis, that sine qua non, the accurate 

 seat, without which the other qualities are of no 

 avail. In fact, the rider needs as much equestrian 

 tact in his heels as in the hands and fingers which 

 manipulate the reins. The difference is that a 

 mistake made with the hands is usually, in large 

 measure, reparable; but an error committed with 

 the heels will occasion disorder or revolt that is not 

 only dangerous at the moment but may make upon 

 the animal a moral impression that is unforgotten 

 and may be forever irreparable. 



I have already explained that the effects of the 

 rider's legs on the horse's flanks are indirect. The 

 muscles of propulsion are overlaid by the pannicu- 

 lus carnosus. On this, the pressure of the legs acts 

 directly; but only by education is the effect of this 

 pressure passed on to the pectoralis magnus. But 

 the function of the panniculus carnosus is to 

 contract at the touch of any foreign or strange 

 object, such as an insect or a twig. The young 

 horse, therefore, when mounted for the first time, 

 reacts to the contact of the rider's legs as to any 

 other annoyance. If he is uncommonly excitable, 

 he simply raises a hind leg and makes ready to kick. 

 Only by the process of education does the horse 



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