154 THE AMERICAN HORSEWOMAN. 



to be firmly held by pressure of the thumb ; 

 the right hand may now quit its hold upon the 

 reins. (Fig. 26.) 



The reins having been properly placed in the 

 left hand according to the directions just given, 

 this hand, being closed, but not too tightly, 

 must be held at a distance of about three inches 

 from the front part of the waist, with the wrist 

 slightly rounded, the nails toward the body, the 

 back of the hand toward the horse's head, and 

 the little finger down and a little nearer the 

 body than the others. The under surface of the 

 bridle arm and hand, from the tip of the elbow 

 to the first joint of the little finger, should be 

 held nearly in a horizontal line. The elbow 

 must be held somewhat close to the side but 

 not in contact with it, and should be kept steady. 

 Care must be taken, when the reins are held in 

 the left hand, that the right shoulder be not 

 thrown back, nor the left one elevated, faulty 

 positions common to beginners when not oth- 

 erwise instructed. The right arm should be 

 allowed to hang easily and steadily at the side, 

 the whip being lightly held in it, with its point 

 downward. When the snaffle-reins are held in 

 the left hand as described, we may term this 

 the " original position," of which all the others 

 are variations. 



