30 Horse Training by Modern Methods. 



The Reins. 



In the training of the horse the reins should be held 

 in two hands. vSin^le reins should be held as prescribed 

 in the Cavalry Drill Rgiilations. 



The following' important rule should always be ob- 

 served : The pressure of the rider's legs, or of his heels, 

 must always precede any action of the hand; in other 

 wordsi, the bit does not go back to the horse, but the horse 

 goes forward against the bit. 



It has been shown that by the action of the legs im- 

 pulsion is produced in the horse, which causes a stretch- 

 ing of the neck to the front in order to begin or accel- 

 erate the forward movement. If as the head and neck 

 stretch out the forward movement of the bit in the mouth 

 is arrested by the hand, the bit is brought into stronger 

 contact with the bars of the mouth, which produces its 

 action. The action of the reins is thus produced after 

 the action of the legs' has produced its efTect. 



Kinds o^ Reins. {De Saint-Phalle.) 

 Open Rein. — This rein is used in turning the horse. 

 The right rein, for example, is said to be open if the 



