CHAPTER IV 



HANDS 



" No person can alter or improve his horse's mouth beyond 

 the capacity of his own hand."— J. Adams. 



" Be gentle, my children, in using your hands, 

 Touch lightly and let the chief effort be mental. 

 The will is the power that guides and commands."- — 



Philpotts Willtams. 



" His hand is the best whose indications are so clear that the 

 horse cannot mistake them, and whose gentleness and fearlessness 

 alike induce obedience."' — Lord Pembroke. 



What is really meant by " Hands ? " — We speak of 

 some people as having good hands, of others as having 

 bad hands. Horses go kindly and nicely with the 

 first, and never seem comfortable when the others are 

 on their backs. What is the secret of this magic 

 touch ? It seems to he in three things : Firstly, a seat 

 independent of any assistance from the hands ; 

 secondly, good nerve and a kind disposition, which 

 prevents the rider from causing the horse pain ; and, 

 thirdly, a long and only moderately stretched rein, 

 and knowledge when to strengthen the action of the 

 hands and when to ease it. 



A horse must never succeed in getting the ascendency 

 of the hands. The word " hand " comprises the whole 

 body, as the horse is controlled as much by the seat 

 and legs as by the hands, and it is only by combining 



