XXV. 

 Holding the Snaffle Reins. W'lun the horse is rid.l.n in tin- 

 snaffle bridle, the rider takes one rein in eacli hand, "thr 

 reins coming in on the under side of the little finger, and 

 coming out over the second joint of the forefinj^^er, nn which 

 the thumb firmly holds the rein; the other fingers el()s<'d on 

 the reins, nails toward the body. « ♦ • Hands 

 about six inches apart, on a level with the elbows, backs 

 straight up and down and outward". (U. S. Cavalry D. W.. 

 Par. 294). 



With the double snaffle, the rider takes two reins in 

 each hand. The reins of the lower snaffle bit (correspond- 

 ing to the curb bit) pass between the third and little finger; 

 the reins of the upper snaffle bit pass under the little finger 

 and both reins are held upon the forefinger by the thumb as 



explained above. 



***** 



Holding the Double Bridle Reins. With horses that i)ull 

 hard and more especially with horses that struggle or fight, 

 it is a distinct advantage to hold the reins in English 

 fashion, that is, with two reins in each hand as described 



above for the double snaffle.* 



* To take the double bridle reins in one hand ( the left • turn 

 the right wrist to the left until the back of the right hand 

 is up; move the right hand to the left and insert the hcc- 

 ond finger of the left hand between the two reins (right 

 snaffle rein uppermost). All four reins are held upon the 

 second joint of the forefinger by the thumb. 



To pass the reins from the left hand to the right hand; turn 

 over the back of the left hand to the right and insert the 

 extended fingers of the right hand between the reins 

 in such a manner that there will be a rein aiiorr each 

 finger (left snaffle rein uppermost), the four reins coming 

 out under the little finger instead of above the forefinger. 



If the hands are habitually held back up, as is frequently 

 done, the passing of the four reins from one hand to the 

 other is much simplified. ( 77/ r /loarf/ ). 



(81) 



