HOLDING THE REINS. 57 



Likewise, Avlicn mounted, the rider need not follow 

 any prescribed rule in the manner of holding the reins. 

 Some horsemen prefer placing the little finger between 

 the bit-reins and the middle finger between the snaffle- 

 reins ; thus keeping both pairs of reins perfectly distmct 

 and equally divided, by having a finger between each 

 rein. Others, again, place the oft' reins across the left 

 hand from the fore-finger and the near reins across them 

 lying from the little finger, the whole to be well secured 

 by the thumb and the closed hand. AVhen the reins 

 are changed into the right hand they can be held in the 

 same manner as they were in the left, or they may be 

 merely separated by the right fore-finger and the hand 

 well closed upon all of them. In either case, as before 

 mentioned, the great object of the horseman is to keep 

 his bridle hand in the utmost vigour, and this is chiefly 

 effected by frequent and judicious change. 



When the fox is found, ride parallel with or near 

 to the hounds, until the fox breaks cover. Should the 

 fox break away on your side of the cover, keep your 

 horse well in check, and " hold hard," until the hounds 

 are well laid on the scent, and the huntsman in com- 

 mand of the pack. But if he go off on the opposite 

 side, ride with speed, in order to be well placed. A 



