"GOOD HANDS." 233 



suddenly and rapidly with the aid of only one hand. 

 Whenever practicable, and when the sword or rifle is not 

 being carried in the right hand, the men ride with both 

 hands, two reins in each hand ; or with the reins an equal 

 length in one hand. 



When the reins are held as in Fig. 160, it will of course be 

 much easier to turn the animal with one hand than when the 

 reins are separated only by the little finger. The readiness 

 with which horses can be made to understand indications of the 

 reins, is proved by the fact that young horses in many breeding 

 districts when wearing a halter and ridden bare-back, can be 

 guided in any direction by the single rope held by their rider, 

 who uses a direct pull on the mouth to turn them to one 

 side, and a pressure on the neck to turn them to the other 

 side. 



The rein which presses on the neck during the turn in one- 

 handed riding, has two distinct actions ; for while pressing on 

 the neck, it also inclines the horse's head more or less away 

 from the side to which the turn is being made by its pull 

 on the opposite side of the mouth. This action of the rein 

 on the mouth is permissible only at the canter and gallop 

 (pages 25 and 26). 



13. The arms (including the hands) should work indepen- 

 dently of the body, and each arm should work independently 

 of the other arm, although at times their action may be 

 similar. Each hand has its own special work to do, and 

 consequently the reins should not be held like an oar with 

 which a man steers a boat. 



"GOOD HANDS." 



We may see that the idea of " good hands " being the 

 sole means for collecting, restraining, and guiding a horse, is 

 wrong; because the hands are only one of several means (aids) 

 by which this object is attained. The possession of a strong 



