HOLDING BRIDLE. 29 



presumption of the rider choosing, as is recom- 

 mended, to practice alone, for a person may 

 teach himself in his own stable, or stable yard, 

 however small, with the horse standing still, 

 to mount, hold his bridle, and attain the per- 

 fect position; and to dismount correctly, and 

 gracefully, before he sets out. 



Holding Bridle-reins of double-bitted bridle 

 when mounted. The bridle and bridle-hand 

 are now to be adjusted. The rider be- 

 ing in his saddle, and continuing to hold 

 the bridle (as in mounting, No. 6), is in- 

 structed that the left hand, only, is to hold 

 the bridle-rein, which should always be the 

 curb-rein (except in leaping and going over 

 rough or broken ground, where the horse 

 must have full liberty of his head), because 

 that is most powerful, and no one can have 

 a horse too much in his power; but if the 

 horse's mouth is very sensitive or "tender," 

 the rider must use the bridle accordingly 

 as if only a thread and not hold himself on 

 by it. The whole of the left hand is to grasp 

 the bridle-rein with the little finger inserted 

 D 3 



