HINTS ON HORSEMANSHIP. 53 



if he shies to the left. To pull the left rein, feel the tip of the 

 fourth finger towards your left shoulder : do the same if he shies 

 to the right. When the reins are crossed in the full grasp of 

 the left hand, to pull the right rein, feel the middle joint of 

 the first finger towards your right shoulder : do the same if he 

 shies to the left. To pull the left rein, feel the middle joint 

 of the fourth finger towards your left shoulder : do the same if 

 he shies to the right. These indications cannot be too direct 

 from the hand to the horse's mouth, without any feeling of 

 the rein against his neck. The least motion of the hand to 

 the right or left, from precisely opposite the centre of the 

 body, will shorten the wrong rein across the neck. Observe 

 also, that in turning, there should be an increased retention 

 of both reins, that of the guiding one the strongest ; also 

 — in order to make the horse collect himself, — an increased 

 urging indication on both sides, but strongest on the side 

 opposite the guiding rein. But in placing the horse to pass 

 the object at which he shies, there should be an increased 



