156 THE AMERICAN HORSEWOMAN, 



dowii^ simultaneously moving the little finger 

 toward the right and pressing it against the left 

 rein, both reins being drawn slightly upw\ard. 

 This manoeuvre shortens the left rein, without 

 relaxing the right. In this turn the movements 

 of the horse should be aided by the rider's face 

 and shoulders beino; turned a little to the left. 

 The turn having been made, the original posi- 

 tion must be resumed. 



The horse may be stopped by simply turn- 

 ing the wrist so as to carry the finger-nails up, 

 the knuckles down, and the little finger toward 

 the body, which must be slightly inclined back- 

 ward. Now, by bracing the muscles of the 

 hand, bending the wrist and carrying the hand 

 farther in toward the waist, at the same time 

 advancing the body, the animal will be made 

 to back ; though, in backing a horse, it will be 

 better to employ both hands. After having 

 stopped, or backed the horse, to make him 

 move onward, a course should be pursued, 

 with both reins in the bridle-hand, similiir to 

 that described for the same purpose when a 

 rein is held in each hand. 



To change the snaffle-reins from the left 

 to the right hand, as is sometimes necessary 

 in order to adjust the skirt, to relieve the left 

 hand, etc., the following course must be pur- 



