578 ON THE ROAD. 



fist, and keep them as they are, re-inforcing the left by 

 placing the right hand down in loop of the snafifle as oc- 

 casion requires. Give and take with each step of the horse. 

 Hold your reins very tight in your fist, but so move your 

 fist that you only feel the horse's mouth. You will always 

 save your horse in case of stumble, if he cannot pull the 

 reins through your fingers. It is immaterial in which hand 

 you hold the reins, and you should practise with both. The 

 reins should be held with the hands low, very little in front 

 of, and close to, your body, with the knuckles out and the 

 wrists bent slightly in. This, you will find, gives room for 

 all necessary play. The elbows must be carried against the 

 sides of the body. 



All communications to the horse should be made by the 

 wrist. Insensibly you will find yourself so talking by tele- 

 graph, to him all the time you are on his back. Nobody 

 with a cast iron wrist can have good hands. Pliable, sensi- 

 tive fingers, a supple wrist, and delicate touch are essential. 



ON THE ROAD. 



When out riding keep your eyes to the front. Watch 

 for objects likely to alarm your horse. Sudden springs to 

 the side are inevitable incidents in road riding, but the man 

 who has his grip at the knee, and his balance from the loins, 

 ready for instant change, is not moved, especially if on the 

 look-out. A highly nervous horse cannot stand the noise of 

 an empty coal-cart coming behind him at a trot, and an 

 automobile will equally disconcert him. He must be kept 

 in hand on these occasions, and made to face the music 

 kindly but firmly. You should also see, and by turn of the 

 wrist avoid, stones, roots, holes, hummocks, and things which 



