THE HORSEMAN'S MANUAL. 47 



the rider should halt him, and give him his head a little 

 that he may rest his neck, and before moving on again, just 

 play with the bit reins, by moving the bit lightly in the 

 horse's mouth, which will prepare him to face it, and if he 

 yields to it, that should be deemed sufficient; for the rider 

 must bear in mind, that the bit is of great power, and, at 

 the same time, consider how sensitive the horse's mouth is, 

 and therefore he ought to pay great attention to the light- 

 ness of his hand when riding on the bit, and by degrees, the 

 horse will become reconciled to it, when the preceding les- 

 sons of turning, bending, and reining back, may be repeated; 

 but it is not till he will obey the bit without tossing his 

 head or showing any other uneasiness, that he should be 

 ridden on the bit alone. Should he show any of these signs 

 the rider ought to examine the bit to see if it fits properly, 

 which, if it does, and he is still restless, he must return to 

 the snaffle till he will face the bit ; which, when he will do 

 freely, the rider may drop the bridoon rein, and ride on 

 the bit alone ; but he must bear in mind, that he has now 

 but one hand, and that he has a right rein in that hand, 

 therefore he must be very particular in preserving its 

 position, exactly opposite the centre of his body, and but 

 three inches from it ; the right arm hanging easy from the 

 shoulder by the side. 



From this position of the bridle hand, the little finger 

 should have three lines of action, inward and upwards, 

 to guide the horse : the first towards the breast ; this will 

 raise his forehand, halt him, and rein him back: the 

 second towards the right shoulder ; this, with the proper 

 application of the left leg, will turn him to the right : and 

 the third, towards the left shoulder, which, with the aid of 

 the right leg, will turn him to the left : the hand being 

 returned to its proper position as soon as the horse answers 

 the aid. 



The little finger should move on these lines only, in 

 giving the aids ; thus the horse is to be guided and raised 

 up at each turn, by the inward or leading rein, the out- 



