HANDS. 



sity of bringing the shoulders back by the play of the 

 hips, and not by hollowing out the small of the back ; 

 of having the thighs well sloped ; knees well forward ; 

 and, above all things, the feet back, for if that be not 

 done, and the speed of the horse be checked at any 

 moment, the feet will be forced on to the stirrups, and 

 the resulting jerk will have every chance of toppling 

 the rider over. If, on the contrary, the shock falls on 

 the legs, with the feet drawn back, the " play " of the 

 thighs, between which the saddle is forced as a wedge, 

 will obviate the disturbing influence as much as possible. 



Hands. 



Whether one or both hands be used, it or they should 

 be allowed to fall loosely from the wrist, with the line 

 of the knuckles at an angle of about forty-five degrees 

 with the ground (see page 2). When only one hand is 

 employed, it should work, as nearly as possible, directly 

 over the withers, so that an " even feeling " be kept on 

 both sides of the mouth. When the two hands are on 

 the reins, they should be kept eight or nine inches apart, 

 and should be held one on each side of the withers, 

 or but slightly raised. In all cases — except at a finish 

 in a race, or when a horse bucks, kicks, or gets his 



