544 STARTING, LENGTHENING AND SHORTENING REINS. 



kept close together, and the feet should be tucked neither 

 under nor extended as far as possible in front of the body. 

 The legs should be slightly bent at the knees. 



STARTING. 



Having assured yourself that the reins, as held, are of 

 even and correct length, start your horse or horses by a light 

 touch of the whip, at the same time drop and extend the left 

 hand. This will give more, rein and thus prevent any sudden 



pressure on the bit when 

 the horse goes up into 

 his collar. 



When the horse has 

 taken the pace at which 

 you desire him to go, an 

 even one of from seven 

 to nine miles per hour is 

 the best, bring your left 

 wrist up so that the fingers 

 touch the waist as previously described. Maintain as far as 

 is practicable an even pressure on the reins, holding them 

 not with the thumb, but between the palm and the fingers. 



NEAR REIN 



FIG. 



LENGTHENING AND SHORTENING THE REINS. 



When changing the position of the hands let the reins be 

 held always by the hand which is in front. 



If you wish to lengthen or shorten the reins, place the 

 second and little finQ-ers of the ri2;ht hand between the reins 

 ten or twelve inches in front of the left hand, the middle and 

 forefingers of the right hand over the near rein. (See fig. 2.) 



