32 HAND-BOOK FOR HORSEWOMEN. 



The arms falling naturally, the elbows 

 being held close to the body without stiff- 

 ness. 



If the arms are held as if tied to the body, or if 

 the elbows are stuck out, the wrists and hands can 

 not guide the horse with ease. 



The fore-arm bent. 



Forming with the upper arm a right angle, of 

 which the elbow is the apex, in order to give the 

 wrist an intermediate position, whether the hand is 

 held high or low. 



The wrists on a level with the elbows. 



Because, if the wrists are held too low, the rider 

 will get into the habit of resting her hands on her 

 right knee, and will consequently neglect to occupy 

 herself with her horse's mouth. 



Six inches apart. 



In order to give the rider a fixed intermediary 

 position between the movements of the hands for- 

 ward, to the left, or to the right, by which she gov- 

 erns her horse : if the wrists are held farther apart, 

 the elbows will appear pinioned to the sides ; if near- 

 er together, the elbows, on the contrary, will stick 

 out in an angle. 



The reins held in each hand. 



I attach great importance to this disposition of 

 the reins, as it gives a novice confidence, makes it 

 easier for her to sit square in the saddle, and easier 

 also to manage her horse. 



The fingers firmly closed, facing each other, 



