TO SHORTEN OR LENGTHEN THE REINS. 551 



TO SHORTEN OR LENGTHEN THE REINS. 



To shorten or lengthen the lead reins, place the middle 

 finger of the right hand between the lead reins directly or at 

 some little distance in front of the left hand, depending upon 

 how much the lead reins are to be taken up or lengthened. 

 If you wish to lengthen them, tighten the fingers of the right 

 hand and draw the reins out to the desired distance. Should 

 you wish to shorten the lead reins, take them out of the left 

 hand, and in putting them back bring the left hand behind 

 the right one. Do not advance the left hand. 



To lengthen or shorten the wheel reins, place the right 

 hand under the lead reins and grasp the wheel reins in the 

 same manner as described for taking up the lead reins. The 

 wheel reins can now be either pushed back or drawn through 

 the fingers of the left hand. 



TO STRAIGHTEN THE TEAM. 



Should the leaders work over to the right of the wheelers, 

 grasp the two reins, which are between the second and middle 

 fingers of the left hand, between the middle and index fingers 

 of the right hand. Draw these reins (the off lead and the near 

 wheel) out a little, and it will be seen that it has the effect of 

 bringing the team into line. Should the leaders work over to 

 the left of the wheelers, instead of drawing the centre reins 

 out, work them a little further back through the fingers of the 

 left hand. 



STOPPING. 



When it is desired to stop the team, raise the left hand, 

 and, placing the right hand over the reins, twelve inches in 



