24 HOLDING AND HANDLING THE REINS. [CHAP. 



the balanced chair. There should be nothing approach- 

 ing to a jerk or shake of either rein. Neither rein should 

 be for an instant loosened, but an equal tension kept on 

 both, and both should be of precisely equal length when 

 crossed in one hand. Be assured, however childish it 

 may appear to you, this practice will teach you the true 

 principle of handling your horse, and will give to the 

 bearings and indications of your hands on his mouth a 

 delicate elasticity and resilience resulting from the play of 

 every articulation from the tips of the fingers to the 

 shoulders. At the same time if power is required, instead 

 of having the left hand only, with the fourth finger only 

 between the reins, by taking them in the full grasp of the 

 hands it allows you to employ the whole strength of both 

 shoulders. 



The cross together with the rein in each hand should 

 be so constantly going on as to give, the appearance of 

 playing with the reins whenever anything like riding and 

 handling is required. In fact, he who can use his reins in 

 this manner with a riotous horse, without disturbing the 



