36 PARK RIDING. 



twisting and turning your horse with the hands 

 you outwit and so bother him, that he loses his 

 power ; hke as the helm of a vessel directs her 

 course, so ought the hand of a horseman to guide 

 and manage his horse, and it ought to be his 

 whole and sole dependance on horseback. 



A rider who has not a good hand can never 

 know how to give help and aids to his horse. 

 Always keej) a light and smooth appui, which is 

 the most valuable part of a horse, and requiring 

 more judgment to keep than any other part of 

 horsemanship. It requires great nicety to pre- 

 serve the just appui, to keep the head firm, the 

 fingers braced, by which the head becomes serene 

 or mild ; by moving the figures you can shake the 

 reins, and playing with the snaffle you always get 

 the horse's head up ; by playing with the finger, 

 and giving a sharp pull or snatch upwards, you will 

 break the horse from forcing his head down — the 

 hand only severe when required. It must be 

 soft, pliant, gentle, and encouraging. When the 

 mouth is obedient to the hand, it is astonishing 



