The Use and Misuse of the Hands 103 



A method of holding the reins shown me by Mr. 

 R. Donaldson-Hudson is a good one. I recommend 

 it for beginners, and will here give a description of 

 it (Plates XIV and XV). 



In one hand (the left). — Place the Httle 

 finger of the left hand between the two left reins, 

 the snaffle rein being uppermost and outermost. 

 Turn the buckle end of these two reins towards the 

 horse's head between the second and third fingers. 

 Place the forefinger of the left hand between the 

 two right reins, the snaffle being again uppermost 

 and outermost- 



The buckle end of these reins will naturally pass 

 through the palm of the hand and join the other 

 reins just above the left thigh. 



For the right hand, as above, substituting 

 " right " for " left," and vice versa. 



To divide the reins, holding two in each 

 hand. — Place the little finger of the unoccupied 

 hand between the reins, which are divided by the 

 forefinger of the occupied hand, and separate the 

 hands as far as required : the " bight," or buckle 

 ends of the reins, passing, in either hand, towards 

 the horse's head between the second and third 



