HANDS 



leg and spur which should insist on obedience 

 to the indications of the hand, not the hand 

 itself. 



The position of the hands is of importance. 

 When they are held low, the legs drive the 

 horse's weight on to his shoulders and force 

 him to move faster, provided the fingers are 

 not closed tightly on the reins ; whereas, if the 

 hands are high the horse raises his head on 

 being stimulated by the legs and throws his 

 weight back on to his loins and hocks, and so 

 balances himself for the slower paces ; the seat 

 bones also help by pressing down the small of 

 the back. The hands should really never pull 

 at a horse ; they should, with the help of the 

 legs, distribute his weight, and make it con- 

 venient and easy for him to obey his riders 

 wishes. When the hands are high the rider 

 must be careful to press the elbows, shoulders 

 and heels well down, so as to keep close to 

 the saddle. 



A " double feeling" on a rein is obtained 

 by raising the hand, holding it, and dropping 

 the other, e.g., to turn to the right, raise the 

 right hand, and press the horse forward with 

 the knees. If the turn is sharp, the left hand 

 should be carried to the right, pressing the rein 

 against the neck just in front of the withers, so 



49 e 



