HANDS 41 



in the first case the ends of the reins pass upwards 

 between the thumb and first finger, and the curb reins 

 can be slack, so that the right hand can pass under the 

 left hand and pick them up when the rider wishes to 

 collect the horse ; in the second case, the ends of the 

 left reins pass between the first and second fingers, 

 w^hilst the right reins pass through the palm of the 

 hand. There is one fact to be noted, and that is, that 

 the third finger of the hand is the strong pulling finger, 

 and, consequently, it is as well not to have it over a 

 rein. 



The right hand, when necessary, can take up the 

 right reins, separated by the little finger, or by the 

 third and little fingers, and pull the end of the reins 

 through the left hand till the hands are some six inches 

 apart. Mr. Anderson recommends that when the reins 

 are held in both hands, the thumbs , should point 

 towards the horse's ears with the whip hanging down 

 the shoulder, and I have found this right in school 

 riding, as the horse has to be under immediate and 

 decided control. If a horse is inclined to get his head 

 down, it is helpful to have the right reins between the 

 thumb and first finger. 



The French method is to have the curb reins on the 

 little finger of the left hand, the ends after passing 

 upwards being held between the thumb and the first 

 finger, whilst the snaffle reins are held on the second 

 finger of either the left or right hand. The knuckles 

 of the left hand should be vertical, the wrist arched 

 (this arching of the wrists is conducive to light handling 

 of the reins, and produces an elastic feeling which the 

 horse appreciates), and the elbow close to the side, but 

 not touching it, whilst the right hand fingers the reins, 

 or holds the right snallle reiu between the second and 



