4 HINTS ON HORSEMANSHIP. 



length, to the upper part of the outside rails of the back of 

 a chair : pull the reins enough to raise two of the legs off 

 the ground, and to keep the chair balanced on the remaining 

 two. Take your reins as ladies and soldiers are taught to 

 take them, both grasped in the left hand, the fourth finger 

 only between them, and (I quote from the regulations of the 

 English cavalry) " the top of the thumb firmly closed on 

 them-^the upper part of the arm hanging straight down from 

 the shoulder — the left elbow lightly touching the hip— the 

 lower part of the arm square to the upper — little finger on a 

 level with the elbow — wrist rounded outwards — the back of 

 the hand to the front — the thumb pointing across the body — 

 the hand opposite the centre of the body, and three inches 

 from it." In this position, we are taught, " the little finger 

 of the bridle hand has four lines of action : — First, towards 

 the breast (to stop or rein back) ; second, towards the right 

 shoulder (to turn to the right) ; third, towards the left 

 shoulder (to turn to the left) ; fourth, towards the horse's 



