210 



RIDING WITHOUT REINS. 



the teacher as much control over the horse as an expert rider 

 would have, and the pupil, recognising this fact and feeling 

 that he is relieved from an embarrassing and more or less 

 dangerous task, can devote his entire attention to learning 

 how to obtain security of seat. After he has acquired that 

 art, the object of the long reins system is fulfilled, and he 

 is then well qualified to engage in the second and final part 

 of his studies, namely, in that of guidance and control. The 

 only drawback to this method is that it requires the teacher 



Fig. 190. Riding without reins. 



to be an expert in this kind of driving, which is by no means 

 as easy to do properly as it looks. 



Before putting the long reins method into practice, it is 

 necessary to give the horse some instruction in it, so that he 

 may carry his rider steadily and intelligently. The required 

 gear is a snaffle bridle, long reins, and a standing martingale. 

 The best reins for this purpose are those of \y z inch 

 " circular " webbing, and each separate and about eight yards 

 long. It is always advisable to use a standing martingale of 



