38 HORSEMANSHIP. 



the reins lying in front of the hand. Place the snaffle- 

 rein across the inside of the hand, and put the little 

 finger between the bit-reins. Take hold of the end of 

 the bit-reins with the right hand, and draw them tight 

 until the mouth of the horse be gently felt. Turn the 

 remainder of the reins along the inside of the hand, and 

 let it fall over the fore-finger on the off side. Place the 

 snaffle-rein upon the reins of the bit, and the thumb 

 upon them. Twist a lock of the mane round the thumb 

 or fore-finger, and close the hand firmly. Put the left 

 toe in the stirrup as far as the ball ; press the knee 

 against the flap of the saddle ; seize the cantle of the 

 saddle with the right hand, and mount. Put the right 

 toe in the stirrup, and place the bridle hand in its 

 proper position, immediately in front of the body, and 

 over the pommel of the saddle, having the wrist 

 rounded outwards. 



In cavalry lessons, and in general riding, the bit-reins 

 are thus placed on each side of the little finger. The 

 objection to the little finger dividing the bit-reins is, 

 that two folds of reins (the near-side bit and snaffle 

 reins) are together in the grasp, without being separated 

 by a finger, which adds greatly to the difficulty of re- 

 taining them in their place upon any extreme emer- 



