250 ON THE USE OF DIFFERENT REINS. 



occasion may require, use the rein as your horse is 

 going up the gallop." 



To the boy riding with the gag rein the groom 

 says, — " You must knot this rein ;" or, perhaps, the 

 groom does it himself, telling the boy at the same 

 time the use of it, — "This is to prevent your horse from 

 boring with his head too close to the ground. Be 

 carefid how you use it. You had better let it lay on 

 your horse's neck until you go up the gallop with 

 him. Then, as soon as you have collected your reins 

 and the horse is settled in his stride, if you find he is 

 getting his head, as usual, too close to the ground, 

 shorten the purchase of this rein and take a gentle pull 

 with it. Thus, by gradually giving and taking with 

 this and the snaffle rein, you will have your horse's 

 head in place, which will enable you to hold him 

 much more easily ; and as yoin- horse is not a 

 flighty one, you may, as you find occasion, quietly 

 take this pull, without causing him to alter his 

 stride." 



The groom, in giving instructions to the boy 

 who has to ride with the running martingal rein, 

 says, — " In collecting your reins, keep this rein 

 outside the snaffle, and use it much in the same 

 way as you would the snaffle rein, that is, give and 

 take in pulling at your horse, so as to keep his 

 mouth alive, in order that when you want to take 

 a good pull with this rein, it may have the desired 

 effect of bringing your horse's head in place, and 

 enable you to hold him so as to prevent his break- 



