THE WALK. 191 



them an awkward appearance. When riding 

 with the double bridle in the bridle-hand, if the 

 movements of the horse be controlled by this 

 hand and wrist, as explained in the preceding 

 chapter, the turn to the right or to the left 

 can be effected without abandoning the horse 

 by relaxing one of the reins, and also without 

 the assistance of the other hand. These ma- 

 noeuvres, accomplished easily and gracefully, 

 indicate the well-instructed and correct bridle- 

 hand, the well - trained horse, and the accom- 

 plished horsewoman, who will appear to manage 

 her steed more by mental influence than by any 

 perceptible movements of her hands. 



To stop in the walk, in a correct and regu- 

 lar manner, is a sure criterion of a good horse- 

 woman, one that has her steed under complete 

 control, for this stop renders him more obedi- 

 ent, and tends to collect him and to bring his 

 haunches into a pliant condition. To accom- 

 plish this stop properly, the rider must brace 

 her arms firmly against her sides, being care- 

 ful not to let her elbows protrude backward, 

 throw her shoulders back, hold both reins 

 evenly and firmly, and tighten the tension upon 

 them by turning the hand and little fingers up 

 and carrying them toward the waist, at the 

 same time not omitting to press gently against 



