144 HOW TO HOLD THE REINS 



between the opposing surfaces of leather. This 

 method is also unsuitable for two-handed riding, be- 

 cause it violates the principle laid down on pages 136 

 and 137, that the manner of holding the reins by 

 one hand should be the same as that by the other 

 hand (compare Figs. 71 and 78). 



RESPECTIVE MERITS OF ONE-HANDED AND TWO-HANDED 



RIDING. 



All good horsewomen, especially when out hunting, 

 ride with both hands on the reins, because, even with 

 the quietest animal, the two hands may be needed for 

 control or guidance. Besides, an even feeling on the 

 reins when they are held in one hand, can be main- 

 tained only by keeping the hand in the centre-line of 

 the horse's body, which is naturally a more or less 

 irksome task for the rider. With only one hand on 

 the reins, the rider's available strength is reduced by 

 nearly one-half, and the reins have to be held much 

 shorter than if both hands were on them. One- 

 handed riding is all right for military men, who have 

 to wield a sword or lance, and polo players, who 

 have to use a polo-stick, but it is ridiculous for ladies. 



