24 RIDING FOR LADIES. 



equal, length and feeling with the bridoon, and then laid 

 smoothly over the bridoon rein, with the thumb firmly placed 

 as a stopper upon both, to keep them from slipping. A 

 slight pressure of the little finger will bring the bit into play. 



Thirdly, when the control is to be entirely from the bit or 

 curb ; the bit rein is taken up by the stitching by the right 

 hand within the bridoon rein, and drawn through on each 

 side of the little finger of the left or bridle-hand, until there 

 is a light and even feel on the horse's mouth ; it is then 

 turned over the first joint of the forefinger on the off-side. 

 The bridoon rein is next taken up by the buckle, under the 

 left hand, and laid smoothly over the left bit rein, leaving it 

 sufficiently loose to hang over each side of the horse's neck. 

 The thumb is then placed firmly on both reins, as above. 



These different manipulations of the reins may be con- 

 veniently practised at home with reins attached to an elastic 

 band, the spring of the band answering to the " feel " on the 

 horse's mouth. But, in addition to these various systems of 

 taking up the reins, much has to be learnt in the direction of 

 separating, shortening, shifting, and so forth. With novices 

 the reins constantly and imperceptibly slip, in which case, 

 the ends of the reins hanging over the forefinger of the 

 bridle-hand are taken altogether into the right, the right 

 hand feels the horse's head, while the loosened fingers of the 

 bridle-hand are run up or down the reins, as required, till 

 they are again adjusted to the proper length, when the fingers 

 once more close on them. 



In shifting reins to the right hand, to relieve cramp of 

 the fingers, and so forth, the right hand must always pass 

 over the left, and in replacing them the left hand must be 

 placed over the right. In order to shorten any one rein, 

 the right hand is used to pull on that part which hangs 

 beyond the thumb and forefinger. When a horse refuses 



