190 THE AMERICAN HORSEWOMAN. 



reins is much more important when making a 

 partial or complete turn, than when the animal 

 is moving forward in a straight line. For, if 

 the reins be slackened, and the horse left to 

 himself, he will turn in an awkward manner, 

 may get one leg in the way of the other, and 

 perhaps stumble or fall, especially if the ground 

 be slippery, or rough and uneven. 



It is a habit with many lady riders, as well as 

 with multitudes of horsemen, to make ^the turn 

 by carrying the bridle-hand in the direction of 

 the turn, thus pressing the outward rein, or the 

 one opposite to the direction of the turn, against 

 the horse's neck, the inward rein being com- 

 pletely slackened. This is a very dangerous 

 fault and one that instantly betrays ignorance 

 of correct horsemanship, because the animal is 

 thus left without any support at a time when 

 it is most needed. If a rider has any regard 

 for her own safety, she will remember this very 

 important rule, namely, to support the horse on 

 both reins when making a turn. 



When all the reins are held in the bridle-hand 

 and a turn is to be made to the left, the fault is 

 sometimes committed of carrying the right hand 

 over to assist the left by pulling upon th left 

 rein ; this is frequently done by ladies who 

 have not been properly instructed, and gives 



