The Hand. 39 



turn correctly, provided the turn is not so 

 sudden as to require his hind quarters per- 

 ceptibly to depart from the line of his 

 shoulders. 



When you can ride, halt and turn your 

 horse easily with both hands, you will have 

 little difficulty in doing so with one. Your 

 only embarrassment will be the necessity of 

 making up for the diminished play of the 

 bridle hand by occasionally shortening and 

 lengthening the rein, and the consequent temp- 

 tation to avoid this necessity by thrusting 

 forward the bridle arm and shoulder instead of 

 carrying the body square. You will avoid it 

 by getting into the habit of letting the reins 

 pass loosely between the fingers of the bridle 

 hand, and grasping them next your body with 

 the fingers and thumb of the other. Both 

 hands will thus naturally place themselves in 

 front of your waist ; and when one is dropped 

 or removed, the other will instinctively retain 

 its central position. 



There are two causes which usually prevent 

 the acquisition of a perfect bridle hand. The 

 first is the unsteadiness of the rider's seat. 

 The second is the habit of pulling at the reins 



