RIDING RECOLLECTIONS 



required for his weapon, these aids, as they are 

 called, seem to enhance that pressure of the leg 

 which acts on the horse's quarters, as the rein 

 on his forehand, bringing his whole body into 

 the required position. Perhaps if the boot were 

 totally unarmed much time might be lost in 

 making his pupil understand the horseman's 

 wishes, but anyone who has ridden a perfectly 

 trained charger knows how much more accurately 

 it answers to the leg than the heel, and how 

 awkwardly a horse acquits himself that has been 

 broke in very sharp spurs ; every touch causing 

 it to wince and swerve too far in the required 

 direction, glancing off at a tangent, like a boat 

 that is over ready in answering her helm. 

 Patience and a light switch, I believe, would 

 fulfil all the purposes of the spur, even in the 

 manege ; but delay is doubtless a drawback, and 

 there are reasons for going the shortest way on 

 occasion, even if it be not the smoothest and 

 the best 



It is quite unnecessary, however, and even 

 prejudicial, to have the rowels long and sharp. 

 Nothing impedes tuition like fear ; and fear in 

 the animal creation is the offspring of pain. 



Granted, then, that the spur may be applied 

 advantageously in the school, let us see how far 

 it is useful on the road or in the huntino-field. 



We will start by supposing that you do not 



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