ANGLO-FRENCH HORSEMANSHIP 



the nails nearly always turn up, and the hands 

 rise in moments of anxiety. In addition to 

 this, when the knuckles are horizontal the 

 fingers can play on the reins that pass under 

 the little fingers and animate the horse. 



The French method is to have the curb 

 reins on the little finger of the left hand, the 

 ends after passing upwards being held between 

 the thumb and the first finger whilst the snaffle 

 reins are held on the second finger of either 

 the left or right hand ; the knuckles of the left 

 hand should be vertical, the wrist arched,* and 

 the elbow close to the side, but not touching 

 it, whilst the right hand fingers the reins and 

 regulates the feeling on the horse's mouth. 



When holding the end of the reins between 

 the thumb and first finger, the first joint of the 

 thumb should be bent, so that the tip presses 

 on the reins and holds them tight, without the 

 muscles of the arm being contracted, as is the 

 case if the whole hand is employed to keep an 

 unyielding hold on the reins. When riding a 

 well trained horse the thumb should alone be 

 used to grip the reins, the rest of the hand 

 should under all circumstances be kept open 



* This arching of the wrists is conducive to light 

 handling of the reins, and produces an elastic feeling which 

 the horse appreciates. 



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