228 HANDS AND LEGS (AIDS). 



LENGTH OF THE REINS. 



Speaking' generally, the reins should be held at as great 

 a length as is compatible with control, so that, if the animal 

 makes any disconcerting movement, he will not be liable to 

 pull the rider on to his neck, or to hurt his mouth by undue 

 tension on the reins. This rule is recognised by all good 

 horsemen as being of special application to 'cross country 

 riding. As already explained, the reins can be held at a 

 greater length in two hands than in one. As power to control 

 and ability to guide are essential conditions of good horse- 

 manship, they should in no way be sacrificed by holding the 

 reins too long, which, owing to considerations of personal 

 safety, is one of the last faults an indifferent rider is likely 

 to commit. 



MANAGEMENT OF THE REINS. 



The following are important points connected with this 

 subject : 



i. As the reins are the means by which a rider keeps in 

 touch with the fore-hand of the horse, they should not be 

 used in a way that will make the animal afraid to go freely 

 up to the bit, or to resent the pressure on his mouth. If he 

 *" keeps behind his bridle," the desirable connection cannot 

 take place ; and if he resents the pressure, he will become 

 more or less unmanageable and dangerous. Consequently, 

 the bitting and the handling of the reins should in no way be 

 painful. Therefore, when the rider takes a pull at the reins, 

 he should do so, to employ the apt expression of the late 

 Mr. J. H. Moore, as if he were trying to draw the cork out 

 of a bottle without spilling a drop of the contents. If he 

 finds that the metaphorical cork resists his pull, he may 

 increase the tension, but should on no account transmit any 

 jerky movement to the reins. 



