THE LENGTH OF THE REINS 35 



length will do which is comfortable and convenient. 

 But directly we anticipate some other movement 

 on the part of the horse, then it is a matter that 

 calls for immediate attention. I believe it is the 

 custom in all riding schools to give the warning 

 order, " Prepare to trot," whereupon the pupils 

 are instructed to shorten their reins before the 

 executive command is given. So far so good; up 

 to this point we are on common ground and we 

 all think alike. But it is when we come to more 

 advanced stages of riding that we may possibly, 

 up till now, have seen things from a somewhat 

 different aspect. 



As we have to shorten our reins for trotting, it 

 appears to me a logical sequence that we should 

 shorten them still further when about to jump. 

 This, however, does not appear to me to have been 

 the instruction imparted to a large majority of 

 hunting people, judging from what I see. In fact, 

 I know that in many cases the principle is not 

 taught. 



Let us for a moment discuss sketch No. 6. 



Here we see a jockey walking up to the starting- 

 post. 



He is correctly balanced in the saddle for the 

 pace he is going, and his reins are short enough 

 to maintain a " feel " on the horse's mouth, pro- 

 vided, and only provided, that the horse does 

 nothing except walk along as he is doing. 



But directly the horse does anything which he 

 doesn't expect, what is the result? If he wishes 

 to maintain the balance of his body by throwing 



