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HOW TO HOLD THE REINS. 



so that the reins are held as before, namely, as in Fig. 157. 

 Double reins held as in Fig. 161, are shortened in the same 

 way, except that the reins on each side are kept apart. If, 

 to start with, the reins are held as in Fig. 162, or Fig. 163, 

 instead of passing the off rein into the left hand, we let go 

 the slack of the near rein with the right hand ; slide the right 

 hand forward on the off rein while carrying it a little out- 

 wards and in a somewhat circular manner ; and take up the 



Fig. 166. Shortening single reins. 



near rein crossed over the off rein with the right hand. The 

 left hand now takes up its side of the reins, and the reins 

 are held as before, namely, as in Fig. 162, or Fig. 163. The 

 circular movement given to the right hand while it is being 

 carried forward, is necessary in order to maintain an even 

 feeling on both reins ; because the portion of the off rein 

 which is between the horse's mouth and the left hand is 

 longer than the same portion of the near rein. 



When the horse is not pulling hard, and when the reins are 



