■2 



1 8 OPPOSITION CH. XIV 



Another way is, to point whichever lead-rein is 

 required, and then, putting the right hand on both 

 the reins of the other side, in this way to control the 

 turn ; the third finder of the rieht hand beine be- 

 tween the reins, the wheel-rein can be drawn more 

 tightly than the other. If this turn is to the left, 

 the hands will be in the position shown in Fig. 135 ; 

 if to the right, as in Fig. 133, the proper point being 

 made at the same time in the left hand. 



This method occupies the right hand during the 

 whole of the turn, but it is very simple. 



It must be stated generally, that it is desirable to 

 use such methods of fingering as will leave the right 

 hand as free as possible, since the coachman may 

 be called upon, during a movement, to use his whip, 

 which he cannot do if his hand is on the reins. The 

 awkward spectacle is not uncommon of a coachman 

 trying to hit a wheeler while his hand is on his 

 reins ; under these circumstances, to hit a leader 

 is obviously impossible. 



In turning to the right, when the opposition is 

 made by using the two centre reins, they can be 

 shortened by pushing them back instead of looping 

 them, and afterward they can be allowed to slip out 

 to their proper lengths ; in turning to the left, it 

 is obvious that a corresponding result will be at- 

 tained by pulling the same reins out to a sufficient 

 distance, but this necessitates bringing back the 

 hand almost too far against the body in order to 

 make up for this lengthening. 



