IN THE SADDLE 53 



the side. This does not look well, and 

 in case of an emergency, such as 

 stumbling, the hand being so far 

 from the reins precludes the possibil- 

 ity of rendering the quick assistance 

 required. The reins should be held 

 in the left hand, but the right should 

 be on them, lightly feeling the horse's 

 mouth, thereby anticipating his move- 

 ments. 



The left snaffle- rein should go out- 

 side of the little finger, the left curb 

 between the little and third fingers, the 

 right curb between the third and mid- 

 dle fingers, and the right snaffle be- 

 tween the middle and first fingers. 

 They must all be brought through the 

 hand, over the second joint of the first 

 finger, where they must lie flat and in 

 order, held there by the thumb. The 

 third finger of the right hand should 

 rest on the right snaffle, leaving the 



