Use of Mahtincai.e. 



283 



After all, the exact mode of holding the reins is not important, so long as they arc held 

 smoothly and flatly, with the hands, arms, and elbows in the right position. 



The very finest horsemen seem to regulate all paces from the motion of the wrists and 

 fingers only. 



Novices in the art of horsemanship should always have their bridles fitted with a standing 

 martingale, because if a horse does not throw up his head it does not harm ; if, when fresh, he 

 does try to fling his ears into your mouth, as the best horses will do at times, the martingale 

 gives you complete command over him. 



DOUBLE REINS IN ONE HAND. 



The principles of horsemanship require that the horse should instantaneously obey the 

 indications of the legs and the hands of the rider ; but to describe in an intelligible manner 

 how these indications, except the very simplest, are to be given is a task beyond the limits 

 of written description. 



The best teachers make their lessons lectures, illustrated by the examples of a mounted 

 horseman or horsewoman ; and I am convinced that a great deal of useful preliminary education 

 may be given to pupils seated in the gallery of a riding-school while a teacher with the gift 

 of picturesque description illustrates himself, or by some one mounted for the purpose, each 

 rule of instruction. 



Colonel Greenwood, who was the first to substitute the plain English word "indication" 

 for the, in this case foolish, French military term " aid^ puts the question tersely when he 



