1 8 HORSE AND MAN. 



in getting rid of them ; because it is extremely difficult, if 

 not impossible, to leave off a bad habit. 



CUTTING "WHIP. 



I use the cutting whip only in work on foot, in order to 

 teach the horse to go forward, and to give way to the spur, 

 but I discard it the moment I mount. True horsemen require 

 legs and hands ; incompetent riders need a whip. 



SPURS. 



The box spur is the only spur of which I approve, because 

 il remains fixed in its place, and it can therefore be applied 

 with precision. All the other kinds are liable to become 

 displaced, either up or down, so that one is never certain of 

 touching the horse on the spot one wishes. 



We ought to use dummy spurs (spurs with round heads), if 

 they are sufficient for our purpose, and we can replace them 

 by spurs with very blunt rowels, the sharpness of which should 

 be increased only when necessary as, for example, when the 

 horse does not answer to their touch. 



Without trying them, it is difficult to find out the proper 

 length for the neck of the spurs, which should be short, if the 

 legs of the rider are short ; because, in this case, his heels will 

 always remain close to the animal's sides. If the rider has 

 long legs, he will be obliged to raise his heels when he wants 

 to use the spurs, which should have proportionately long 

 necks, so that he may have to shorten his legs as little as 

 possible. 



man's seat. 



As a rule, every one can acquire a good and strong seat, 

 but every one cannot become a fine and graceful horseman. 



A pupil who has been taught well from the beginning, has 

 done his best to learn, has trotted without stirrups for several 



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