ii.] HOLDING AND HANDLING THE REINS. 3:5 



quits the rein should slide along it behind the hand which 

 receives the rein. And in all these positions the hand 

 should always be at right angles with the reins ; you then 

 have the play of all the joints. If the hand is in the 

 same line with the reins, the play is only from the elbow. 



The thumb should not be used where delicacy is 

 required, since it acts in a contrary direction to the 

 fingers, and entirely stops the play of all the joints of 

 the hand and fingers. Close your thumb on your fingers 

 and you will see. 



Where power is required, the change from the utmost 

 resiliance to the utmost rigidity is effected in the time 

 necessary to close the fists. Every gradation, however, 

 between the closed fists and the tips of the open fingers 

 is at the option of the rider. 



Gentlemen having a leg and spur on each side of the 

 ,horse to urge and to guide him, should ride without any Use of the 



whip. 



whip at all if the horse has been subjected to the leg, so 

 as to have the right hand as free for the reins as the 

 left : there should be no such thing as " a bridle hand" 



