Quiet Riding

"The further back the spur is drawn away from the girths, the nearer it approaches the most ticklish spot."

"We should not forget that the effect of a touch of the spur on a green horse at the beginning of the breaking, is exactly similar to that of the sting of a fly, which he at first tries to drive away with his tail."

"In riding, the horse ought to be taught to understand that the spur is simply and 'aid,' and that it become a punishment only when he plays up."

"I like to use a spur, but I like to use it as little as possible."

"The discreet and gentle pinch of the spur is an aid performed by subtly drawing the spur close to the belly hair without contacting or penetrating the hide. It is a stronger aid than the thighs or calves."

"The spurs are an excellent remedy to make a horse keen and sensitive to the aids, but this form of punishment should only be administered by a wise and experienced horseman. It may be necessary to use them with force on occasion, but this should be done only rarely. For nothing is more likely to break a horse's spirit and drive it to desperation more quickly than spurs that are used too often and at the wrong times."

"In order to use the spurs well, the calves should first be pressed gently against the horse and then the spurs should make contact with the belly. Those riders who open their legs and suddenly slam the spurs into a horse surprise the animal and take it completely unawares."

"Spurs are used for precision of communication, for clarity, for creating pressure with pinpoint accuracy, for making things black and white for the horse."