GENEEAL NOTES. 121 



most nervous temperament may be 

 taught to submit to the spur after a 

 few lessons given in the following 

 manner : — 



While at the walking pace the rider 

 will gently press his unarmed heels 

 against the sides of the horse, and 

 restrain increased speed or restlessness by 

 a light hand and soothing words. When 

 the horse will suffer the pressure of 

 the heels without making an ejffort to 

 go beyond the limits placed by the hand, 

 the rider will, in the same way, accustom 

 the animal to the application of the 

 spur. This use of the spur renders the 

 horse very docile and steady, and 

 the sharp spur may be superseded by 

 the blunt rowel, so that the aid shall 

 not have even the appearance of cruelty. 



