28 HORSEMANSHIP. 



over the fore-finger, passing through the inside of 

 the hand. Seize the pommel of the saddle with the 

 left hand, and the cantle with the right hand ; spring 

 well from the ground, and raise the body by the 

 strength of the wrists and arms above the level of the 

 saddle; throw the right leg clear over the hind 

 quarters, and come gently into the saddle by placing 

 the right hand upon the right side of the pommel, 

 which will thus stay the weight of the body. Divide 

 the reins, taking one in each hand. Place them 

 between the third and fourth fingers ; the remainder of 

 the reins lying along the inside of the hands and 

 falling over the fore-fingers, with the thumbs firmly 

 placed upon them. Shut the hands close upon the 

 reins, with the thumbs pointing to each other, and 

 about two or three inches apart. The wrists must be 

 slightly rounded outwards, the hands kept perpen- 

 dicular to the pommel on a level with the elbows, 

 and the knuckles opposite to the horse's ears. 



The position of the hands being on a level with the 

 elbow, is varied with horses which are in the habit of 

 carrying their heads too high, and also with those which 

 carry their heads too low. 



When the horse carries his head too high, or has 



