One Hand versus Two. 105 



made to turn to the right if you draw the rein 

 across or lay it upon the left side of his neck, and 

 vice versa. The third method combines the two 

 others, and the horse obeys either indication. It 

 requires -the highest art in man and beast, and is 

 superb in results when learned. The animal may 

 be guided by the bit with the reins held in one 

 hand, applying the pressure by the turn of the 

 wrist, or may be turned by the neck while the bit 

 is used to lighten one or other side. But this 

 requires a hand and mouth of equal delicacy, 

 and a horse always in a state of equilibrium. 



You will need only the first two to begin with, 

 and Nelly already knows the first. 



Most horses now and then require you to use 

 both hands, and School-riding calls for their use 

 in the more difficult feats. But an agreeable sad- 

 dle beast should guide by the neck readily at all 

 times. Stonehenge calls this a " highly desirable 

 accomplishment," but it is really only the begin- 

 ning of the alphabet of the horse's education ; and 

 indeed in the School airs, though both hands be 

 used, the forehand is constantly thrown to one or 

 the other side by the neck pressure, the direct 

 tension of the rein being used to give the horse 

 quite a different indication at the same moment. 



Moreover, you will not always be able to de- 

 vote two hands to Nelly. You may need one of 

 them for something else. It would be embarrass- 



