394 THE HORSE 



must pass straight to the rear, the arm working backwards 

 and forwards like a piston, when great force is required to 

 be applied to the reins. If the elbows are stuck out at 

 right angles there is loss of strength besides the awkward 

 look, and ladies are frequently guilty of this. For a long 

 time my masculine denseness did not furnish me with the 

 reason why they affected this position, but at last one of 



them "let the cat out of the bag." "Look at " she 



exclaimed, calling my attention, through jealousy, to a fair 

 rival in front of us, " she is sticking out her elbows to call 

 attention to her waist ! " So the secret was out, and I have 

 never since forgotten the reason why ! 



Eeins. 



Of course no one who aspires to be a real horseman will 

 ride with both reins in one hand ; though many make a sort 

 of compromise, and keep possession of both reins in the left 

 hand, whilst assisting with the right hand. But this is only 

 doing things by halves, and as a rule the reins should be 

 detached and held in the respective hands. The reins should 

 be held at a good length and the hands be kept low, and as 

 a rule the knuckles should be kept playing just over the 

 pommel of the saddle. At this distance there is plenty of 

 freedom for the horse to play with its bit, and yet consider- 

 able pressure can be put on in a moment if required ; also 

 a sudden snatch at the bit will not drag the rider out of 

 his seat on to the horse's neck. It is excellent practice for 

 forming a seat, when trotting home on a horse too tired to 

 take liberties, to cross the stirrups over its neck, after taking 

 the feet out of them, and to jog a mile or more riding by 

 balance only, without holding by the reins. Another useful 

 exercise is to let the body swing back until the shoulders 

 touch the croup, when the horse is either standing still, or 

 moving on slowly at a walk. The balance is improved by 

 these little tricks, and the secret of all gymnastics is the 

 perfection of balance, very little strength being required as a 

 rule in addition. 



