CUTTING WHIPS. 



217 



in the left hand, the right hand (which holds the whip) should 

 let them go, and should swing the whip slightly forward, so 

 as to bring it between the first and second fingers (Fig. 192). 

 The whip is now quickly swung to the rear and brought into 

 the position shown in Fig. 193 ; the hand is raised not higher 

 than the rider's right ear by the bending of the elbow ; the 

 first finger slips round the handle of the whip ; and the cuts, 



Fig. 193. Bringing the whip up before 

 using it. 



which should rarely exceed two or three, should be given 

 straight down, close behind the rider's boot, without any 

 backward swing. 



Although the explanation of changing the reins into the 

 left hand and picking up the whip has occupied some space, 

 these actions can be performed, after a little practice, with the 

 utmost rapidity. In race riding, the moment for using the 



