166 HOW TO HOLD THE REINS. 



length. We then take the near rein between the fore finger 

 and thumb of the right hand (Fig. 166) ; close the fingers of 

 that hand ; let go the reins with the right hand ; and take 

 up the reins at their shortened distance with the left hand, 

 so that the reins are held as before, namely, as in Fig. 1 57. 

 Double reins held as in Fig. 161, are shortened in the same 

 way, except that the reins on each side are kept apart. If, 

 to start with, the reins are held as in Fig. 162, or Fig. 163, 



Fig. 166. Shortening single reins. 



instead of passing the off rein into the left hand, we let go 

 the slack of the near rein with the right hand ; slide the right 

 hand forward on the off rein while carrying it a little out- 

 wards and in a somewhat circular manner ; and take up the 

 near rein crossed over the off rein with the right hand. The 

 left hand now takes up its side of the reins, and the reins 

 are held as before, namely, as in Fig. 162, or Fig. 163. The 

 circular movement given to the right hand while it is being 

 carried forward, is necessary in order to maintain an even 



