42 CAVALRY HORSEMANSHIP 



but these effects produce results verj^ different, 

 according to the quality or defects of the hand which 

 causes them. 



The quahties of the good hand are fixity, Ughtness, 

 gentleness, and firmness. 



To have the hand fixed, does not mean that the 

 hand should remain motionless in its position ; it 

 should, on the contrary, in accordance with the neces- 

 sity, carry itself upwards, to the right, or left, but in 

 the execution it should be free from all involuntary 

 or useless movements. 



This quality is the first to search for, and the most 

 important of all ; without it the others Avill not be 

 able to show themselves in their fullness. The un- 

 certain hand, which is the opposite of the fixed decided 

 hand, can neither have lightness, gentleness nor 

 firmness, and the most attentive horse is unable to 

 obey its ill-regulated actions. 



The light hand feels the simple contact with the 

 mouth. 



The gentle hand gives support. 



The firm hand gives a decided support. The hand 

 should also know how to resist with firmness when 

 necessary, and to yield the moment the resistance 

 ceases, then return to gentleness, which is alwaJ^s the 

 touch of union between lightness and firmness. It 

 is in this sense that one has been able to define the good 

 hand, as having in the fingers a force equal to the 

 resistances of the horse, but never superior to them. 



If at first, the hand, the wrist, and forearm, take 

 part in the action, when riding a trained horse, it is 

 solely by the closing more or less strongly of the fingers, 

 or the more or less loosening of their hold on the reins, 

 that the rider transmits his wishes to the horse. 



