HANDS 



35 



horse. People who study the subject, and really 

 care for their horses, as I do, can tell instantly what 

 work they have been in the habit of doing and what 

 sort of ' hands ' have been on the reins. It seems 

 such a pity that men do not more thoroughly study 

 this part of a horse's education, and their own, too, 

 for that matter. It stands to reason that the heavy- 

 handed rider 'no matter what the pace he is going 



Photo by\ \ n '■ Shawcross. 



FIG. l6.— CORRECT USE OF A DOUBLE REINED SNAFFLE BKIDLE. 



at, who never for a moment relaxes his 'iron grip' 

 on his horse's mouth, has no extra power in reserve 

 should occasion require it. 



A perfect 'hand' makes the rider and horse in 

 complete sympathy. Walking and trotting, the 

 rider should only just feel his horse's mouth. The 

 hand should be able to feel the slightest variation 

 on the horse's part, and instantly answer it. I don't 



3-2 



