45 



Position of Bridle Hand with the Bit. 



The upper arm hanging straight down 

 from the shoulder, the left elbow lightly 

 touching the hip ; the lower arm square to 

 the upper ; the hand opposite the centre of 

 the body and three inches from it, the back 

 of the hand to the front, wrist rounded 

 outwards, thumb pointing across the body, 

 little finger on a level with the elbow ; the 

 top of the thumb firmly closed on the bit 

 reins, which are divided by the little finger ; 

 the bridoon reins, when working with the 

 bit, to be held in the full of the bridle hand 

 and apart from the bit reins, hanging over 

 the forefinger. 



The bridle hand will, at the halt, always 

 rest on the cape, cloak, or front of the 

 saddle, and when sitting at ease the grasp 

 of the fingers should be relaxed to allow 

 more liberty to the horse's head. 



The little finger of the bridle hand has 

 four lines of action, viz. : — 



Towards the breast, towards the right 

 shoulder, towards the left shoulder, and 

 towards the horse's head. These motions 

 should be made from the wrist, the arm 

 being kept perfectly steady. 



