HINTS ON RIDING 109 



either when using a double or a single bridle, is as 

 follows : 



See that the right hand has a firm hold of both reins, 

 then slide the left hand up the left rein; when the de- 

 sired length has been obtained, bring the right hand 

 up to that position, grasp the slack of the right reins 

 with the forefinger, third, and fourth fingers of the left 

 hand, and then slide the right hand up to the equal 

 length, allowing the slack of the right reins to run 

 through the forefinger, third, and fourth fingers of the 

 left hand, until the reins are smooth and even again. 



To stop or slow up one's mount, either shorten the 

 reins gradually and gently, or exert a steady pressure, 

 but never jab or jerk a horse's mouth suddenly. Ex- 

 cept in cases of emergency a horse should never be 

 pulled up sharply, as he is only likely to strain his 

 tendons or ligaments, spring a curb, or cross his legs 

 and fall down. I well remember my first experience 

 in catching a runaway in Central Park: I leaned for- 

 ward and, grasping the bit rein of the running animal, 

 who was slipping along at a pretty good rate, jerked 

 it suddenly instead of pulling on it gradually. To my 

 horror the horse and rider went down to the ground as 

 if shot by a gun. Fortunately neither horse nor rider 

 were hurt, but it taught me a lesson which I have 

 never forgotten. 



Turning should also be done gently and slowly. In 

 order to turn to the right, for instance, we should slip 

 the right hand a trifle up the right rein to shorten it 

 and, by turning the wrist over to the right so that the 

 thumb is on the outside and the finger-nails are almost 

 upward, exert a gentle pressure on this rein with the 

 little finger and fourth finger. At the same time the 

 left hand should be raised a trifle and carried to the 



