RIDING TO HOUNDS 251 



the action of pulling at a horse is much the same 

 as the backward stroke in sawing. 



The reins should, as a rule, be held at just such 

 a length that the knuckles of the hands rest almost 

 on the pommel of the saddle. They are then long 

 enough to allow plenty of play to the horse's 

 movements, and short enough to allow for 

 considerable strength to be used, and are yet 

 not so short that the arms cannot extend to meet 

 a sudden peck, or snatch at the rein, when a very 

 short hold of the reins might entail great dis- 

 composure of seat ! Long reins are the foundation 

 of fine hands ; and this is partly the reason that 

 ladies generally have light hands, as from the 

 nature of their seat they must ride with plenty 

 of rein. It is impossible for them to take their 

 hold close to the middle of their horse's manes, 

 as so many bad riders amongst men may be seen 

 doing. 



Q. What kind of bit can be recommended for 

 cross-country work ? 



A. The ordinary easy double-reined curb and 

 bridoon, (in stable language termed a snaffle,) 

 suits most horses' mouths, and most persons' 

 hands sufficiently well, though it is often the 

 cause of a horse dropping his hind legs into 

 the further ditch, when a rider has become 

 slightly unbalanced and seeks to steady himself 

 by the reins. Some exceptional horses demand 

 exceptional treatment ; and undoubtedly a horse 

 will now and then give his rider less trouble 

 in a bit that would drive other horses crazy. 

 Many a really tender-mouthed horse is induced 

 to pull extremely hard from being ridden in 

 a bit that hurts his mouth so much that, in 



