44 HINTS ON HORSEMANSHIP. 



shortening the reins, by successively crossing them in one 

 hand and the other, and again separating them, one rein in 

 each hand. He should take the reins at the full extent, hold 

 the chair balanced and motionless on two legs only, and con- 

 tinue shortening the reins in the mode prescribed, till he 

 arrives at the chair. In doing this, the hands cannot be 

 kept too near the body, provided there is room to pass the 

 hand which is to quit the rein, behind that which is to receive 

 it. But the greatest care must be taken to avoid bringing 

 the hands so near the body as to prevent the hand which is to 

 quit the rein from passing behind that which is to receive it ; 

 otherwise the hand which is to receive the rein must be thrust 

 forward, to give room for the hand which is to quit the rein 

 to pass behind it ; this would not only disturb the bearing 

 on the horse's mouth, but would actually slacken one rein 

 at the very moment that it is desired to shorten both. The 

 reins should not be crossed when two hands are employed on 

 them ; but should be kept completely separated, one in each 



