MANAGEMENT OF THE HORSE. 165 



pupil must proceed as follows: Carrying the 

 left hand to the right, the second finger of the 

 left hand must be placed between the snaffle- 

 reins, and the little finger of this hand between 

 the curb - reins ; this having been done, the 

 thumb and fingers must be closed upon all the 

 reins, while the right hand releases its hold. 

 These several changes can be made whether 

 the horse be moving slowly or rapidly, care be- 

 ing taken to effect them so quietly that the 

 horse will not be abandoned to himself from 

 want of support, nor interrupted in the rhythm 

 of his gait. 



If w^hen riding with the double bridle in the 

 bridle-hand, very quick turns have to be made, 

 or when the horse will not yield readily to the 

 movements of the bridle-hand, it ^\\\\ become 

 necessary to separate the reins by taking that 

 of the right snaffle in the right hand ; this can 

 be quickly effected by carrying the right hand to 

 and over the left, and seizing the right snaffle- 

 rein with the first three fingers of the right 

 hand ; this rein w^ill pass between the third and 

 little fingers and across the ^ palm, so that the 

 loose, disengaged end will escape from between 

 the thumb and forefinger. 



In America, most lady riders prefer to guide 

 the horse with the bridle-hand only ; in doing 



