MANAGEMENT OF THE HORSE. 



153 



Fig. 26. Snaffle-reins ; both in the left 

 hand. 



For this purpose, the reins being held for the 

 time being in the 

 right hand, the 

 left, having its 

 back toward the 

 horse's head, will 

 seize them as fol- 

 lows : its little 

 finger must be 

 passed directly 

 between the two reins, the left rein being on 

 the outer side of this finger and the right one 

 on its right side, between it and the third fin- 

 ger. This done, the reins must be drawn up 

 nearly even to the marks upon them, 1 so as just 

 to feel the animal's mouth, noticing that these 

 marks are nearly on a line with each other, 

 while that portion of the reins lying within the 

 hand must be carried across its palm to the 

 index finger, to a point between its first and 

 second joints, against which point, being placed 

 evenly with one overlying the other, they are 



1 It is stated in this paragraph that the marks on the reins 

 should be " nearly even," or " nearly on a line with each other," 

 because, in its passage under the little finger, across the hand, 

 and on the outside of the right rein, the left one will be shortened 

 so that its marking will be about half an inch nearer the bit than 

 that of the right one ; consequently, in order to make the pres- 

 sure upon the horse's mouth even, the right rein will have to be 

 shortened to the extent named. 



