MANAGEMENT OF THE HORSE. 167 



the snaffle being somewhat shorter than the 

 curb, so that the hold or pressure upon the ani- 

 mal's mouth may be made by the former ; but 

 should it be required on any occasion to employ 

 the curb, this can be brought into instant use 

 by a slight turn of the wrists, that will carry 

 the little fingers up and toward the rider's 

 waist. To stop, to back, to turn, or to advance, 

 the reins must be managed in the same way 

 as when one snaffle-rein alone is held in each 

 hand. In all these various ways of holding the 

 double bridle, the snaffle-reins should, as they 

 pass upward from the bit, always be placed 

 above those of the curb ; indeed, it would be 

 rather awkward to hold them otherwise. 



As already stated, when the object for which 

 any change of hands and reins has been made 

 is effected, the hands should always resume the 

 original position, as explained for the snaffle- 

 reins when one is held in each hand, thus, 

 hands four inches from the body, four inches 

 apart, etc. The arms and elbows must be kept 

 as steady as possible, all movements of the reins 

 being made with the wrists and fingers, unless 

 the horse be hard mouthed or badly trained, 

 when the arms will have to be employed and 

 more force will be required. But a horse of 

 this kind should never be ridden by a woman ; 



