MANAGEMENT OF THE HORSE. 161 



somewhat upward, with the knuckles toward 

 the horse's head ; the reins should then be 

 pulled up by the right hand just enough to feel 

 the horse's mouth, and carried across the palm 

 to the index finger, where they should be held 

 in position by firm pressure with the thumb. 



The curb-reins are now to be taken evenly 

 by the right hand, and then the little finger of 

 the left hand be passed between the two reins, 

 the left rein being upon the left or outer side 

 of the little finger, and the right rein between 

 the little and third fingers ; both curb - reins 

 should next be drawn upward by the right 

 hand until they are nearly the length of the 

 snaffle, and carried across the palm, one rein 

 overlying the other, to the index finger, be- 

 tween its first and second joints, and between 

 the snaffle-reins and the thumb, at which point 

 all the reins must be firmly held by pressure 

 of the thumb against them ; the right hand will 

 now remove its hold. (Fig. 27.) The above 

 manoeuvring of the reins will give the " orig- 

 inal position " for the double bridle in the left 

 hand. All these reins should be of nearly equal 

 length, the snaffle being slightly the shortest, 

 so that, while riding with the latter, the curb 

 may be ready for instant use ; this may be 

 brought into play by simply turning the wrist 

 11 



