SO HOLDING AND HANDLING THE REINS. [CHAP. 



inside, the curb outside. Let them quit the hands over 

 the first finger, the thumb on them. In the left hand, the 

 snaffle to the left of the thumb, the curb to the right. In 

 the right hand the snaffle to the right, the curb to the 

 left. This keeps them distinct, and allows the power of 

 slipping or dropping either, by pressing the thumb only 

 on the other. The two bridles should be always in 

 two hands, except when placed together to shorten them. 

 In a storm, that is, till you have time for nicety, treat the 

 two bridles as if they were one. 

 Two hand- The mode of shortening the reins in two-handed 



ed shorten- 



tauht and' riding, which I have seen rough-riders use, and which I 



untaught. 



have seen recruits taught when using the single snaffle in 

 all riding-houses, civil or military, foreign or English, 

 and which is detailed in the ecole du cavalier in the 

 French cavalry ordonnance, is wholly vicious. There are 

 no directions at all given for this in the treatise on 

 military equitation in the regulations for the English 

 cavalry, nor have I ever met with any in any book, 

 foreign or English, except in the French ordonnance. 



