190 THE AMERICAN HORSEWOMAN. 



reins is much more important when making a 

 partial or complete turn, than when the animal 

 is moving forward in a straight line. For, if 

 the reins be slackened, and the horse left to 

 himself, he will turn in an awkward manner, 

 may get one leg in the w^ay of the other, and 

 perhaps stuml)le or fall, especially if the ground 

 be slippery, or rough and uneven. 



It is a habit with many lady riders, as w^ell as 

 with multitudes of horsemen, to make the turn 

 by carr3ing the bridle-hand in the direction of 

 the turn, thus pressing the outward rein, or the 

 one opposite to the direction of the turn, against 

 the horse's neck, — the inward rein being com- 

 pletely slackened. This is a very dangerous 

 fault and one that instantly betrays ignorance 

 of correct horsemanship, because the animal is 

 thus left without any support at a time when 

 it is most needed. If a rider has any regard 

 for her own safety, she w^ill remember this very 

 important rule, namely, to support the horse on 

 both reins when making a turn. 



When all the reins are held in the bridle-hand 

 and a turn is to be made to the left, the fault is 

 sometimes connnitted of carry im:: the rii»'ht hand 

 over to assist the left by pulhng upon the left 

 rein ; this is frequently done by ladies who 

 have not been properly instructed, and gives 



