MANAGEMENT OF THE HORSE. 171 



motion to keep the animal well up to his action 

 and to bring out his best gait, as well as to col- 

 lect and restrain him. 



An easy " give and take " feeling can be ef- 

 fected by slightly loosening or opening the fin- 

 gers of the bridle-hand or hands as the horse 

 springs forward ; as the hand feels the pull upon 

 the reins, it must yield to this sensation, and 

 will thus allow the animal liberty in his spring 

 or advance movements. Then, as the action of 

 the horse lessens or recedes, the reins will be 

 felt to slacken, when the fingers should be 

 closed, which will tighten the reins, support the 

 animal, and keep him under control. This 

 " give and take " movement should occur alter- 

 nately and simultaneously with the cadence of 

 each step of the steed, and should be effected 

 without any backward or forward movements 

 of the arm or arms, which must be held steady, 

 except in a rapid gallop, in which case both 

 the hand and arm will, to a certain extent, have 

 to move to and fro. In the " give and take " 

 movement the reins should not be allowed to 

 slip in the slightest degree, nor to be jerked 

 from the rider's hand by any sudden motion of 

 the horse's head ; on the contrary, they should 

 always be held firm between the thumb and the 

 first and second joints of the index finger, the 



