78 HINTS ON HORSEMANSHIP. 



Provided the indications from the hand are true and gentle, 

 no danger to the rider, or resistance from the horse, will 

 result from power ; but, on the contrary, safety to the rider, 

 and obedience from the horse. This is the only mode of 

 accounting for the fact that there are thousands of hands 

 which perform to admiration in driving, with the most severe 

 bits, but are quite unfit to be trusted in riding with any 

 thing but a snaffle bridle. For, in driving, the terret-pad 

 prevents false indications on the bit ; therefore, to ensure 

 true ones being given, two hands are used, or when one only, 

 two or more fingers are placed between the reins instead of the 

 fourth finger only ; consequently the horse obeys the slightest 

 touch, and consequently, his mouth and the rider's hand 

 become mutually more light. But put the driver and the 

 driven together, as rider and ridden, with the same bit, the 

 reins in one hand and the fourth finger only between them, 

 and what will follow ? the rider gives a wrong indication ; 

 the horse turns the wrong way, or stops. The rider insists, 



