HANDS AND REINS. 125 



The golden rule of horsemanship is laid down by 

 Colonel Greenwood, in a sentence that noodles will 

 despise for its " trite simplicity :" "When you wish to 

 turn to the right, pull the right rein stronger than the 

 left." This is common sense. No horse becomes restive 

 in the colt-breaker's hands. The reason is, that they 

 ride with one bridle and two hands, instead of two 

 bridles and one hand. When they wish to go to the 

 left, they pull the left rein stronger than the right. 

 When they wish to go to the right, they pull the right 

 rein stronger than the left. If the colt does not obey 

 these indications, at least he understands them, even the 

 first time he is mounted, and the most obstinate will not 

 long resist them. Acting on these plain principles, I 

 saw, in August last, a three-year-old colt which, placed 

 absolutely raw and unbridled in Mr. Rarey's hands, 

 within seven days answered every indication of the reins 

 like an old horse turned right or left, brought his nose 

 to the rider's knee, and backed like an old trooper. 



" But it takes a long time to make a colt understand 

 that he is to turn to the right when the left rein is 

 pulled ;" and if any horse resists, the rider has no power 

 one-handed, as the reins are usually held, to compel 

 him. 



The practice of one-handed riding originated in 

 military schools ; for a soldier has to carry a sword 

 or lance, and depends chiefly on his well-trained horse 

 and the pressure of his legs. No one ever attempts to 

 turn a horse in harness with one hand, although there 

 the driver has the assistance of the terrets, and it is 

 equally absurd to attempt it with a colt or horse with a 

 delicate mouth. Of course, with an old-trained hack 

 even the reins are a mere form ; any hint is enough. 



The advantage of double-handed riding is, that, in a 



