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 it 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 well taught from the beginning, has done his best to learn, has trotted without stirrups for several