96 THE SHORT REIN. [CHAP. 



for common lengthen or shorten the rein ; therefore, to give more 



riding. 



liberty, or to shorten the rein, the hand must go from or 

 to the hody. If, therefore, the reins are tied so that the 

 hands should be at a convenient distance from the body 

 when the horse is collected, they would be at a very 

 inconvenient distance when he is extended. To remedy 

 Short rein this, in the East, where the short rein is very universal, 



of the East. 



the double part of the bridle is prolonged b}' a single 

 strap ; this strap is used as a whip, and hence the whip of 

 the Hussar attached to the reins; hence, also, as I 

 imagine, the Austrian driving rein described page 54. 

 When fossil remains of the extinct postboy shall be 

 Used by discovered, it will be seen that he used the short rein, and 



postilion. 



with great propriety ; since his horse may be said to have 

 been always " au trot," and needed only one degree 

 of collection. 



