20 CAVALRY HORSEMANSHIP 



hand, the fingers being closed on a rein of proper 

 length. 



3. (a) By carrying the right hand forward and to 

 tlie left, the rider draws the horse's nose to the right, 

 and places on to the left shoulder the greater part of 

 the weight of the neck. The right rein is then called 

 the contrary or indirect rein. 



(b) If the rider increases the movement of the right 

 hand towards the left, the resulting increase of weight 

 will cause a displacement of balance towards the left, 

 and the horse will turn to that side, the turn being 

 made whilst advancing. By giving to the indirect 

 rein (right rein) a backward tension, two effects can 

 be produced, according as the tension of the rein is 

 applied in front of or behind the withers. 



4. If it is applied in front of the withers, i.e. towards 

 the near shoulder, the shoulders are brought back to 

 the left, the horse faces to the left, and moves back- 

 Avards, if he is stationary ; he turns to the left, slacken- 

 ing his pace, if he is in movement. 



5. If the rein is drawn across behind the withers, 

 i.e. towards the near hind leg, the rein acts on the whole 

 horse, and pushes both the forehand and hind quarters 

 to the left. If the horse is moving, this diagonal 

 action of the right rein, whilst bending him to the 

 right, pushes him obliquely forward towards the left, 

 and with all the greater energy if the impulsion is 

 great. 



The two actions (4 and 5) of an indirect rein both 

 tend to ojDpose the shoulders to the quarters and take 

 the name of " contrary oi^posing reins " or " indirect 

 rein of opposition . ' ' 



Harmony of the aids. — The harmony of the aids 

 is the co-operation that the rider should obtain from 



