MANAGEMENT OF THE HORSE. 159 



and over the left, the latter retaining its steadi- 

 ness all the time, and then passing the first three 

 fingers of the right hand between the two reins, 

 so that they may readily close upon the right 

 rein ; the thumb will then keep this rein firm 

 by pressing it against the first joint of the index 

 finger. The position of the hands and reins will 

 then, after a movement of the left little finger 

 to place the rein between it and the third, be 

 the same as described for the original position 

 where a snaffle-rein is held in each hand. 



Should the reins become too long when held 

 separately, they can readily be shortened by 

 returning the right rein to the bridle-hand, 

 placing it directly over the left rein between 

 the third and little finger, and then, by means 

 of the right hand, drawing the loose rein or 

 reins through the bridle-hand to the proper 

 length, after which the right rein may again be 

 taken in the right hand, as already described. 



When the reins are held in one hand, they 

 can be shortened or lengthened by simply 

 seizing them at their free, disengaged ends with 

 the right hand, and while this holds them and 

 sustains the horse, the left hand must be slipped 

 along the reins, up or down, as may be re- 

 quired, but without changing their arrange- 

 ment. 



