THE LENGTH OF THE REINS 



Now that we have adjusted our stirrups, the 

 next point we must study is the length of our 

 reins. Although I have placed this question second 

 in the order of importance, it has so great a bearing 

 on the whole balance and poise of the body, that 

 I am not really sure whether I shouldn't have 

 placed it first. Once we have grasped the laws of 

 balance which I have attempted to make clear in 

 the preceding chapter, we will find that most of our 

 mistakes will be due to having our reins too long. 

 The rules here are very similar to those which 

 obtain in deciding upon the length of stirrup. 

 They are the laws of anticipation. 



When we are standing still or walking, and do 

 not anticipate any unexpected movement, then the 

 reins may be long. That is to say, of that length 

 which enables one to have a " feel " on the horse's 

 mouth, and one's hands comfortably placed in 

 front of the body. It mil be unnecessary for me 

 to dwell upon this attitude, because I have no 

 criticisms to offer upon the method by which the 

 reins are held when at a walking pace by most 

 of our English riders. Like the stirrups, when 

 only walking, there is no problem to solve. Any 



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