10 EQUITATION. 



HOLDING THE REINS. 



There are various ways of holding the reins, 

 depending upon fancy, and circumstances ; such as 

 the fineness of a horse's mouth, and the delicacy 

 of the rider's hand. 



Holding a sijigle rein. — The rein is taken in 

 the centre where the joining is, between the fore- 

 finger and thumb of the right hand, and drawn to- 

 wards the body, the left hand is placed over the 

 reins, and the little finger is inserted between 

 them ; the hand is them closed, and the reins are 

 drawn through the fingers, by the right hand, un- 

 til a proper feeling is obtained upon the horse's 

 mouth ; the loop end of the rein is allowed to drop 

 over the fore-finger, and the thumb is placed upon 

 the rein, to prevent its slipping. 



Holding a double rein. — The curb rein being held 

 as directed, the loop of the snafEe rein is placed ovet 

 the curb rein in the palm of the left hand, or, to 

 have a double bearing upon the horse's mouth, the 

 rein may be drawn, till the required tension is ob- 

 tained, the left rein lying over the curb rein in 

 the palm of the hand, the right snafile rein, pass- 

 ing between the second and third fingers. In di- 

 viding the reins with the little finger, the right 

 rein, which passes over that finger, is always a lit- 



