3'4 HOLDING AND HANDLING THE REINS. [CHAP. 



If a whip is carried, it should be as light as possible. It 

 should be held up like a hunter or a rough-rider, not 

 down like a jockey ; and so completely between the hand 

 and the thumb as to leave the fingers free for the reins. 

 To carry that club called the handle of a hunting whip is 

 a frightful enormity. The excuse is, to open gates ; but 

 if you put your horse's side against a gate, it is better 

 opened by the hand, but keep your leg from your horse's 

 side. The fingering of the reins should not be impeded 

 even by thick gloves ; as thick muifettees as you like, but 

 no gloves thicker than kid. 



The action of the whip, by the turn of the wrist, on 



either side of the horse, is of every importance in lady's 



riding, in colt-breaking, in riding the restive horse, and I 



had well nigh said, in hunting and race riding. For 



Horses how often do we see the race lost by a swerve to the left 



swerve and 



(attributed to distress). The hunter invariably refuses 

 by turning to the left. The restive horse invariably turns 

 to the left. Have all horses joined in Holy Alliance to 

 fight on one plan ? If not, why do they all turn to the 



