166 THE AMERICAN HORSEWOMAN. 



this, although they may appear more careless 

 and graceful, they certainly lose much command 

 over the animal. The method at present em- 

 ployed by the 

 best European 

 horsewomen, 

 who seldom ride 



Fig. 28. Double bridle ; a snaffle and a curb /,/,jV7) /A/, 



rein in each hand. WM/l 



1, 1, snaffle-reins ; 2, 2, curb-reins. ^ the left 



alone, is as follows: The little finger of the 

 right hand is to be passed between the right curb 

 and snaffle reins in such a way that the curb- 

 rein will be on the outer side of this finger, and 

 the snaffle between it and the third finger ; both 

 reins must then be carried across the palm, and 

 be firmly held by the thumb against the fore- 

 finger. The little finger of the left hand is 

 also to be passed between the left snaffle and 

 curb reins, in a similar manner to that just de- 

 scribed, and the reins must be held firm by the 

 thumb and forefinger of this hand. (Fig. 28.) 

 This arrangement may be termed the " original 

 position" for a curb and snaffle rein in each 

 hand. 



When the reins are thus separated, the action 

 upon the horse's mouth will be much more pow- 

 erful than when they are all placed in the bri- 

 dle-hand. They should be held nearly even, 



