HANDS 37 



legs. As the hand finds it much easier to control a 

 horse when the hind legs are well under him, than 

 when they are out behind him, school riders recommend 

 that before using the hands, the legs and the sides of 

 the spurs should be first closed in gently, to press the 

 hind legs under and balance the horse. To shorten 

 the reins, for instance, first run the hand forward along 

 them, and then, instead of pulling at them to get the 

 hand back to the body, collect the horse by inter- 

 mittent leg pressure, until he bends his neck and loosens 

 the reins sufficiently to enable the hand to take its 

 proper position.* 



Most horses go best when the reins are held long, 

 i.e., when the left or bridle hand is close against the 

 body, and there is just a suspicion of slackness about 

 either the curb or bridoon reins, the other reins being 

 stretched. The action of the reins should only affect 

 the head and neck, except when used to oppose the 

 forehand to the quarters ; too short a rein, by acting 

 on the body gives the horse greater power of resistance, 

 or makes him try to get behind the bridle and gib ; 

 moreover, as a horse balances himself by means of his 

 neck, the free use of it enables him to move gracefully 

 and to stop easily, and with a long rein the rider by 

 merely pressing his shoulders back can bring his horse 

 on to his hocks at once. 



To sum up, too much stress cannot be laid on the 



* " To test whether a horse naturally brings his hind legs well 

 under him, and, in fact, to train him to do so, start him off in a 

 gallop and then stop him with the hands alone, the thighs being 

 opened ; and, just as he comes to a stop, ease the hands and 

 press him gently forward with the spurs ; if the hind legs are not 

 well under, the horse will have difficulty in restarting, and, in 

 future, knowing what to expect, he will learn to collect himself 

 better." — Captain de Champsavin. 



