Indirect Indications of the Curb- Bit. 81 



In the walk and in the trot, the horse should 

 be made to change direction in this manner, and 

 to pass in circles of various diameters and in 

 various figures, the same principles being ob- 

 served. Gradually the introductory direct indi- 

 cation of the snaffle-reins may be reduced and 

 finally be dispensed with, the curb-reins alone 

 being used in changing direction, when the curb- 

 reins should be employed in the following man- 

 ner : still held in the left hand, the thumb 

 pointing towards the ears of the horse, the snaffle- 

 reins held loosely in the left hand, divided by the 

 long finger, or in the right hand, as the rider 

 elects. To turn to the right, the bridle-hand will 

 be turned so that the thumb points to the rider's 

 right shoulder, which gives a direct indication of 

 the right curb-rein ; the bridle-hand is then 

 carried to the right so that the left curb-rein has 

 a tension against the left side of the horse's neck, 

 which gives an indication similar in effect to that 

 already made by the right curb-rein. When the 

 change of direction has been made, the hand 

 should be dropped, and an even tension taken 

 upon the two curb-reins. 



To turn to the left, the left hand should ^be 



6 



