u ic INS. 99 



Reins. Having reins thick, thin, broad, or narrow i$ 

 a matter of taste, which the rider should decide for, 

 himself. The question of having them sewn on, or 

 buckled to the bit or snaffle, is also a matter of fancy. 

 The only advantage of the former arrangement is that 

 it dispenses with the necessity of having " stops " on 

 the reins, which pass through the rings of the martin- 

 gale. It is however inconvenient, as it does not 

 admit of a change of reins. To my mind, a snaffle looks 

 best with plated double buckles. 



With a double bridle, I prefer having both reins of 

 equal breadth, instead of having the curb rein narrow, 

 and that on the snaffle broad. A buckle at the centre 

 of the one, which passes through the rings of the 

 martingale, will serve to distinguish it from the other. 

 The " feeling " in the hands, with reins of equal sub- 

 stance, is far pleasanter, than when the contrary is the 

 case. When the reins are properly held, with those of 

 the snaffle on the outside of those of the curb whether 

 one or both hands be used there will not be the 

 slightest possibility of the rider becoming confused 

 as to their respective identity. 



In order to prevent the reins slipping through the 

 fingers, with a puller, pieces of leather, about a quarter 

 of an inch broad, arid as long as the width of the 

 reins, may be sewn across the inside of the latter, 

 at intervals of three or four inches. 



If the reins, which pass through the rings of the 

 martingale, be not sewn on to the bit, they should be 

 provided with " stops," so as to prevent the martin- 

 gale rings getting caught on the buckles of the rein*. 



