LENGTH OF THE REINS. 221 



manner the animal carries himself. However high the horse 

 holds his head, we cannot conveniently bring our hands lower 

 down than three or four inches below the withers. Any 

 attempt in this direction will rarely be of use ; because it will 

 generally result in irritating the horse to resistance. The 

 better plan, when practicable, would be to slacken out the 

 reins for a few moments, in which case the horse, finding his 

 head free, will generally bring it down of his own accord into 

 proper position. For purposes of control and guidance, it 

 is best as a rule to hold the hands eight or nine inches apart. 

 When only one hand is employed, it should work as nearly as 

 possible directly over the withers, so that an even feeling may 

 be kept on both sides of the mouth. Whether one or both 

 hands are used, it or they should be allowed to fall loosely 

 from the wrists, with the line of the knuckles at an angle of 

 about 45 with the ground. As the muscles of the neck 

 draw the fore limbs forward, we shall, by keeping the hands 

 " down," generally aid in preventing the animal from going 

 too high in front, and thereby shortening his stride. 



As the tendency of the curb is to make a horse carry his 

 head too low, the hands, when manipulating that bit, need not 

 as a rule be held so low down as with a snaffle. 



LENGTH OF THE REINS. 



Speaking generally, the reins should be held at as great 

 a length as is compatible with control, so that, if the animal 

 makes any disconcerting movement, he will not be liable to 

 pull the rider on to his neck, or to hurt his mouth by undue 

 tension on the reins. This rule is recognised by all good 

 horsemen as being of special application to 'cross country 

 riding. As already explained, the reins can be held at a 

 greater length in two hands than in one. As power to control 

 and ability to guide are essential conditions of good horse- 

 manship, they should in no way be sacrificed by holding the 



