50 HINTS ON HORSEMANSHIP. 



say that this is ever taught in the school ; but I may say that 

 all this is almost always learnt there. 



The mode of shortening the reins in two-handed riding, 

 which I have seen rough-riders use, and which I have seen 

 recruits taught, when using the single snaffle, in all riding- 

 houses, English and Foreign, and which is detailed in the 

 ecole du cavalier, in the French cavalry ordonnance, is wholly 

 vicious. There are no directions at all given for this in the 

 treatise on military equitation, in the regulations for the English 

 cavalry, nor have I ever met with any in any book, English or 

 or otherwise, except in the French ordonnance. To shorten 

 the right rein, on the system in question (the reins being held 

 in the full grasp of the hands as last described, but enter- 

 ing the hands between the third and fourth fingers), bring 

 the thumbs together, take the right rein with the thumb and 

 first finger of the left hand, the thumbs touching, raise the 

 left hand, and let the right rein slip, till the thumbs are one 

 inch apart. With the right rein thus one inch shorter than 



