THE USE OF SPURS. 291 
different process for it. J am well aware that some horses can never be 
taught it, but must always have a bearing made on the mouth before they 
will turn ; yet, when it can be inculcated, it makes the animal so tractable 
and agreeable to ride, that it is a highly desirable accomplishment; and I 
cannot, therefore, join in condemning its use, but should rejoice if it could 
in all cases be fully developed. 
THE DOUBLE REIN is usually held by those who ride for pleasure in this 
country as follows :—Begin by taking up the snaftle-rein, and place the 
fore and middle fingers between its two portions; then lay hold of the 
eurb-rein, and either hook it loosely on to the little finger, if not imme- 
diately wanted, or draw it up to the requisite degree of tightness and turn 
it over the fore finger, when it will lie upon the snaffle-rein, and, together 
with it, will be gripped by the thumb. By adopting this plan, the curb- 
rein is always at the command of the right hand; and it may be shortened 
or let out in a moment, which is of constant occurrence in every day’s 
ride. The hand is held as with the single rein, with the thumb pointing 
to the horse’s ears; in turning, however, there is much less power of 
bearing on either side of the bit by raising the thumb or lowering the 
little finger, because the distance between the snaffle-reins is only half 
what it was, and therefore the mode of turning by pressure upon the neck 
_ is doubly desirable ; and hence its general adoption in those cases where 
double-reined bridles are used, as in the field and on the road. Some- 
times, to obviate this objection, the snaffle-reins are placed as in the 
single-reined bridle, outside the little finger, and then the curb is hooked 
over the ring-finger, between the snaffle-reins, so as to allow of the full 
manipulation of the mouth by the hand, without bearing upon the neck. 
But the-objection to this is, that the curb cannot be shortened without 
releasing the snaffle; and therefore the horse must either be riaden on the 
curb alone while this process is being effected, or his head must be loosed 
altogether; whereas, in the other mode, his mouth is still under the 
control of the snaffle all the time that the curb is being let out or 
taken in. ; 
THE ATTAINMENT OF “ GooD HANDS,” by which is to be understood a light 
and delicate handling of the reins, is, or ought to be, the aim of every rider. 
The most delicate mouth in the world is soon spoilt by bearing heavily on 
it, as is too often done by grooms, and, indeed, by the average run of our 
horsemen. So also in hunting, if the horse is not allowed his head in 
making his effort, he will be almost sure to fail in exactly doing what he 
meant, and will hit timber, if he is put at that class of fence, or will drop 
his hind legs into the ditch, if there is one. Bad riders use the reins as a 
means of balancing themselves in the saddle, and this is especially done 
in the hunting-field, where they would be utterly unable to maintain 
their seats without the aid thus afforded to the proper grip and balance. 
Every one in learning to ride ought to be taught to go through all the 
paces, and to jump the bar without any reins in his hand; and when he 
finds he is able to do without them, be will learn to use them only in the 
way for which they are intended. 
THE USE OF SPURS. 
Spurs are employed for three distinct purposes, which are—first, to 
stimulate the energies of the flagging or idle horse ; secondly, to punish 
the vicious or refractory animal ; and thirdly, to induce him to improve 
his pace without accelerating it,—from which last office they are specially 
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