EQUITATION AND HORSE TRAINING. 81 



Handling the reins.— It is absolutely necessary to 

 accustom riders to handle the reins skillfully. 



All work on the reins must be varied, smooth, and pro- 

 gressive. These results can not be obtained unless the 

 rider is thoroughly supple in the shoulders, arms, and 

 wrists and has clever fingers. The reins must be changed 

 from hand to hand, must be separated and reunited not 

 only without jerks, but also without failing to maintain 

 the proper tension. 



It should also be added that handUng the reins under- 

 standingly and skillfully is an indirect method of making a 

 horse's mouth perfectly straight. Changing hands fre- 

 quently will prevent the prolonged action that worries 

 the horse and causes faulty bends of the neck. Riders 

 who hold the reins constantly in the same hand and in 

 the same manner always have horses with stiff necks set 

 to one side. 



53521°— 10 6 



