HINTS ON HORSEMANSHIP. 4f) 



quitting the hands between the first joints of the thumbs 

 and the second joints of the first fingers. Be assured, 

 however childish it may appear to you, it will teach you 

 the true principle of handling your horse ; and give to 

 the bearing, and indications of your hands on his mouth, 

 a delicate elasticity and resilience, resulting from the play 

 of every articulation from the tips of the fingers to the 

 shoulders. At the same time, if power be required, instead 

 of having the left hand only, with the fourth finger only 

 between the reins, by taking them in the full grasp of 

 the hands it allows you to employ the whole strength of both 

 shoulders. 



On the other hand, the riding school is too apt to teach 

 you to sit on your horse as stiff as a stake ; to let your right 

 arm hang down as useless as if God had never gifted you with 

 one ; to pin your elbows to the sides ; to stick your left liand 

 out, with a stiff straight wrist, like a bolt-sprit ; and to turn 

 your horse invariably on the wrong rein. I do not mean to 



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