" Riding the Bridled 93 



For School airs, this also affords an easy way 

 of using separately curb and snaffle, as is often 

 necessary. 



If you are riding with single reins, you will 

 place them on either side of third or little finger, 

 or embracing little, third, and middle fingers and 

 up under thumb in similar manner. A single 

 rein may be held in many ways. 



With all other double-rein methods, except the 

 one described, you have to alter the position of 

 reins in shifting from hand to hand. With this one 

 the order of reins and fingers remains the same. 



Any other system of holding the reins which 

 you prefer will do as well, if you become expert at 

 it. I have tried them all, from Baucher's down, 

 and have always reverted to what was shown me 

 thirty odd years ago. 



Your curb chain should be looser than it is, 

 Tom. A horse needing a stiff curb is unsuited to 

 any but an expert rider, and must have a great 

 many splendid qualities to make up for this really 

 bad one. Some people like a mouth they can 

 hold on by, but they do not make fine horsemen. 

 Never ride on your horse's mouth, or, as they say, 

 " ride your bridle." Many men like a hunter who 

 " takes hold of you," but this won't do on the 

 road, if you seek comfort or want a drilled horse. 

 You see that Nelly keeps jerking at the curb. 

 Let out a link, at least. An untrained horse 



