THE PRIMER. 33 



his hand to the left, so that the right curb rein will 

 be brought against the right side of the horse's 

 neck. This will demand a turn or bend to the left. 

 To demand a turn or bend to the right, the hand 

 (being held so that the thumb points towards the 

 ears) will be turned so that the thumb points to the 

 right shoulder of the rider, by which movement a 

 slight direct tension will be given upon the right 

 rein ; by carrying the hand to the right the left 

 curb rein will be brought against the left side of 

 the horse's neck, so that the indirect indication thus 

 obtained will enforce the direct indication just 

 given. 



When the horse is ridden in the curb reins, the 

 snaffle reins may be held loosely in the right hand, 

 ready to assist and enforce the curb reins ; or the 

 snaffle reins may be held in the bridle hand, divided 

 by the middle finger, the loose ends held by the 

 thumb against the forefinger, while the right hand 

 is ready to aid the bridle hand by drawing the 

 snaffle reins when necessary. But, as I have said, 

 when the curb reins are in action, the snaffle reins 

 must not be employed ; when the snaffle reins are 

 acting, the curb reins must not have a tension on 

 the mouth. If, when a certain set of reins are 

 acting, it be necessary to use the other set of reins, 

 the tension upon first-named must cease, and the 



