H0RSE3IANSHIP. 95 



side, and reciprocally ; otherwise the horse 

 would not know which hand to obey. 



The reins are held even, or equal, in the 

 left hand to conduct an obedient horse in any 

 circumstances ; but in the manege the inside 

 rein is held a little shortened, for the purpose 

 of placing the head of the horse on the side 

 on which he goes ; for a horse that does not 

 fold, has a bad appearance in a manege ; it is 

 more difficult to bend a horse to the right than 

 to the left, as much because the greatest 

 number of horses are more stiff to the right 

 hand, than by relation to the disposition of 

 the reins in the left or bridle hand ; there are 

 but few persons who know very well how to 

 use the right rein. 



You must hold your hand a little higher 

 for horses that carry low, in order to lift up 

 their heads ; it should be lower and drawn 

 near the stomach, for those that carry their 

 noses in the wind, in order to bring the nose 

 and the head down. When you carry your 

 hand forwards, the curb is relaxed, and the 

 effect of the bit diminished ; the contrary 

 happens when you draw it near your stomach ; 

 this is good for horses who draw on the hand. 

 Every rider who does not perfectly know the 



