LESSONS IN RIDING 387 



is preferable : take the centre of both reins in the right hand, 

 the bridoon rein being on the top of the bit ; then, place a fin- 

 .ger of the left hand between each rein, beginning with the little 

 finger, so that the left bridoon rein is outside the little finger, 

 the next finger being between the bit reins, and the right bri- 

 doon rein between the forefinger and middle finger ; the whole 

 being brought over the forefinger, and the thumb closed 

 firmly on the top of the reins. Thus the bit reins are the two 

 centre ones, and the bridoon reins on the outside. For the 

 first few lessons, the right bridoon rein should be taken out of 

 the left hand and held in the right, in the same manner as the 

 pupil has been used to hold the snaffle, the bit reins being let 

 out so as not to feel the horse's mouth on them at all. The 

 left hand must now be placed opposite the centre of the body, 

 .and the right hand about four inches from it. The position of 

 the left hand must be particularly attended to, as, if the rider 

 gets it in the position he has been used to have it in while 

 riding on the snaffle, he will be pulling the whole time at the 

 right bit rein without knowing it. The pace at a trot during 

 this lesson should be kept very steady, and the pupil should be 

 frequently halted, so as to correct the position of the hands if 

 necessary, and he should be kept at straightforward work with- 

 out turning. 



LESSONS XXL, XXII. , AND XXIII 



These lessons are principally intended to get the rider to 

 understand the feeling of the bit on the horse's mouth. He 

 should still ride with both hands, in fact, the right hand should 

 .always assist the left, and the bridoon rein be used as well as the 

 bit. It is all very well for a soldier, who wants his right hand 

 .at liberty to use his weapon, to ride on the bit alone with one 

 hand, but horses' mouths are kept fresher, and, as a rule, they 

 go much more pleasantly if ridden on all four reins. As the 

 pupil gets accustomed to keeping his hands in the proper 

 place and to the feeling of the bit, the reins should be 

 gradually shortened till he feels all four reins evenly, and the 



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