THE HORSEMAN'S MANUAL. 31 



by feeling one rein only, the rider would draw the snaffle 

 through the horse's mouth, and would thus pull the left 

 cheek-piece or ring of the snaffle against the horse's left 

 cheek-bone, having little or no bearing on his bars or gums, 

 so that if he turned at all, it would, in all probability, be 

 in a direction contrary to the one intended. 



The rider, as before admonished, must be very attentive 

 to the lightness and kindness of his hands. In working the 

 hands, the little finger is to be turned in and upwards to- 

 wards the face ; and as soon as the horse has answered the 

 aid, the hand is to resume its proper position ; and as the 

 assistance of both hands is necessary, so will that of both 

 legs ; for when the right rein is felt the stronger, the left 

 leg must be applied in proportion, to make the horse follow 

 the leading rein ; the right leg being kept close to assist the 

 left, and oblige the horse to step up to the bit. 



As I shall have to use the terms " inward " and " out- 

 ward," I will explain how they are applied : the hand we 

 work to, whether right or left, is called the inward hand, 

 so that if we turn to the right, we apply the right or in- 

 ward rein, and the left or outward leg, the stronger, re- 

 versing the aids if to the left. Thus the hand we work to, is 

 called the inward, or leading hand, and when riding with a 

 snaffle in a school, should be about three inches below the 

 outward, which is to be kept in a line with the elbow 

 joint. 



Now, in turning to the right, the right or inward rein is 

 felt with a double power, in comparison with the left or 

 outward rein, in order to retain a steady feeling. The horse 

 is kept up to the hands by a pressure of both legs, but the 

 left or outward leg, the stronger ; and when turned, there 

 must be an equal feeling of both hands with the pressure of 

 the legs to direct him to advance straight to his front. 



The rider must judge from his experience of the horse, 

 with what power he must apply his aids, some horses ac- 

 knowledge the slightest indication, others require the aids 

 more strongly applied. 



