Steeplechase Riding 193 



young man in question. It was the last 

 time he was troubled to ride for that stable. 

 Unless a horse is of sluggish disposition and 

 really will not gallop until made to do so, 

 whip and spur would be better left at home 

 in nine cases out of ten. AVhat is the use 

 of Hogging a horse who, in the pure spirit of 

 emulation, is trying his hardest to win ? It 

 shortens his stride, and finally so disgusts 

 him, that he either " runs cunning," or cuts 

 racing altogether. Far more can be done by 

 riding him with your hands and (unarmoured) 

 heels. Although I shall be accused of hetero- 

 doxy in so saying, I assert positively, that 

 whips and spurs should be carried and worn 

 rather as the exception than the rule. One 

 of such exceptions is where a little fellow 

 like Tommy Loates has to ride a great 

 leathering horse such as Isinglass. Big 

 horses are very hard for small jockeys to 

 " get out " unless with the adventitious aid 

 of whip or spur. There was a good story 

 going the rounds about Mr. MacCalmont's 

 pet jockey some time ago. He was being 



N 



