The Hand. 45 



the bit from the bridoon reins by your ringers, 

 keeping all fast by the thumb. 



No horse suppled according to M. Baucher's 

 system requires any bit except a plain snaffle 

 and an ordinary curb ; and I believe that there 

 is scarcely any horse which may not be sup- 

 pled according to M. Baucher's system. But 

 this is not generally known ; and you will 

 often find, when you mount a hot or hard- 

 mouthed horse, that he has been equipped for 

 your especial convenience with some engine of 

 torture which is expected to make him more 

 easily controllable. In such cases you will 

 always, if you take my advice and can find an 

 opportunity, procure the exchange of the Chif- 

 ney or Segundo for a simple bit and bridoon. 

 But if this is impossible, a light and elastic 

 hand will do wonders in reconciling the poo 

 animal to his unnecessary punishment. 



I give you no special rules for leaping. If 

 you are cool enough not to change or stiffen 

 your attitude as your horse rises, you will 

 naturally sit steady in your saddle ; and if you 

 sit steady in your saddle, you will naturally 

 handle your horse as you ought. A flying 

 leap is nothing more than a stride in the horse's 



