50 RIDING AND TRAINING SADDLE-HORSES. 



In teaching the horse the changes of direction, as is 

 described in the chapter upon ^^ Hands and Legs," one 

 hand will hold the curb, the reins divided by the little 

 finger and grasped by the thumb ; while the snaffle-reins 

 will be held above those of the curb, divided by the 

 breadth of the other hand. 



There are various ways prescribed for holding the 

 reins in riding the trained horses, but we prefer the 

 following method : — 



In the left hand : the curb-reins divided by the little 

 finger ; the snaffle-reins divided by the middle finger ; 

 the ends of both sets carried up through the hand and 

 secured by the thumb, which should be uppermost and 

 pointed to the ears of the horse. By bending the wrist 

 to the right so that the knuckles come uppermost, the 

 head of the horse will be carried to the right and the 

 change made in that direction. By bending the wrist to 

 the left, so that the finger-nails come uppermost, the 

 horse will be turned to the left. There should never be 

 tension on the two bits at the same time. The horse 

 should be ridden upon the curb ; the snaffle will be used 

 to fix the hight of his head, and, occasionally to take the 

 place of the curb to freshen the mouth. 



The right hand will be carried upon the loose ends of 

 the reins to assist the left. 



