THE ABUSE OF THE SPUR 



altering In no way the force and bearing- of hand 

 or seat. Most men, on the contrary, stoop 

 forward and let their horses' heads go when 

 engaged in this method of compulsion, and even 

 if their heels do reach the mark, by no means a 

 certainty, gain but little with the rowels compared 

 to all they lose with the reins. 



There is no fault in a hunter so annoying to a 

 man whose heart is in the sport as a tendency to 

 refuse. It utterly defeats the timid and damps the 

 couraee of the bold, while even to him who rides 

 that he may hunt rather than hunts that he may 

 ride, it is intensely provoking, as he is apt to lose 

 by it that start which is so invaluable in a quick 

 thing, and, when a large field are all struggling 

 for the same object, so difficult to regain. This 

 perversity of disposition, too, is very apt to be 

 displayed at some fence that will not admit of 

 half-measures, such as a rail low enough to jump, 

 but too strong to break, or a ditch so wide and 

 deep that it must not be attempted as a standing 

 leap. In these cases a vigorous dig with the 

 spurs at the last moment will sometimes have an 

 excellent effect. But it must not be trusted as an 

 unfailing remedy. Nearly as many hunters will 

 resent so broad a hint, by stopping short, and 

 turning restive, as will spring generously forward, 

 and make a sudden effort in answer to the appeal. 

 For this, as for every other requirement of equita- 



65 



