(S2 NOTES ON EQUITATION 



Handling the Reins. It is absolutely necessary to accustom 

 riders to handle the reins skilfully. 



All work on the reins must be varied, smooth and pro- 

 gressive. These results cannot be obtained unless the rider 

 is thoroughly supple in the shoulders, arms and wrists and 

 has clever fingers. The reins must be changed from hand 

 to hand, must be separated and reunited not only without 

 jerks but also without failing to maintain the proper ten- 

 sion. 



It should also be added that handling the reins under- 

 standingly and skilfully is an indirect method of making a 

 horse's mouth perfectly straight. Changing hands frequent- 

 ly, will prevent the prolonged action that worries the horse 

 and causes faulty bends of the neck. Riders who hold the 

 reins constantly in the same hand and in the same manner, 

 always have horses with stiff necks set to one side. 



