40 UOKSEMANSHIP. 



the sensitive hand; therefore the rider cannot be too 

 cautious in the manner in which he uses the bit-reins, 

 or too careful that the movements of his hand are 

 the correct indications of his own wilL 



To feel the horse's mouth in any movement to the 

 right, as in an inclination to the right, a turn to the 

 right, or a turn to the right-about, the extra bearing is 

 made upon the right rein, by turning up the little 

 finger of the bridle hand inwardly towards the left 

 shoulder. To feel the horse's mouth in any movement 

 to the left, as in an inclination to the left, a turn to the 

 left, or a turn to the left-about, the extra bearing is 

 made upon the left rein, by turning up the little 

 finger inwardly towards the right shoulder. Thus the 

 movements of the hand in the bearing upon the reins 

 are precisely the same with the bit as with the snaffle, 

 when it is held in one hand ; except that a greater 

 delicacy of feeling is requisite in consequence of the 

 greater power of the bit. 



When the double reins of both bit and snaffle are 

 required to be held in each hand, the snaffle-rein is 

 drawn tight with the right hand, and the right hand 

 holds the right rein between the third and fourth 

 fingers : then, to feel the horse's mouth in an\ move- 



