HORSEMA NSHIP. 



then be brought together in their original position, while 

 the slack of the near rein is allowed to slip through the 

 right hand, and the slack of the off, through the left. 

 This method is specially applicable to our purpose when 

 we are obliged to shorten the reins, and desire, at the 

 same time, to interfere as little as possible with the 

 horse's mouth. 



If the rider wants to shorten his reins quickly, espe- 

 cially if he is riding a horse which requires some holding, 



Fig. 4- 



he should let go the slack of the off rein with, for instance, 

 his left hand, which he should slip forward on the near 

 rein, and, having got the proper length, he should take the 

 off rein between the first finger and thumb of the left hand, 

 30 that the reins may be held *' crossed " as in Fig. 4. The 



