THE LENGTH OF THE REINS 47 



this is especially a convenience, because should 

 the horse snatch at the bridle on approaching the 

 fence, one can, if necessary, let the reins go en- 

 tirely, as they can be immediately picked up 

 again without the slightest trouble. This practice 

 has much in its favour. It prevents the reins 

 being too long at any moment ; so that the body 

 can be got forward whenever desired, causing 

 less hkelihood of being " left behind." It helps 

 the muscles of the fingers when riding horses 

 that " take hold " a bit, because there is no slack 

 to consider, and it is impossible for the reins to 

 slip. One can ride equally well holding the reins 

 in the usual way, or they can be placed in the 

 palm of the hand without using the fingers at all ; 

 and when a horse is cantering collectedly and brid- 

 ling well, the horse can be controlled, if so desired, 

 by even balancing the reins on the end of one 

 finger. It is an extremely useful little " tip " for 

 all riding-school work, and I can strongly recom- 

 mend it to those who have not tried it. Not only 

 for work in the riding school, but it is very useful 

 indeed at polo. Having no slack to bother about 

 (which sometimes gets mixed up with the stick), 

 it is a great rest to one's fingers. To reach a ball 

 some distance away, one can if need be drop the 

 reins altogether, and if one's fingers are tired, one 

 can even control the pony very effectively by using 

 the forearm instead of the hand. 



Unless specially ordered, saddlers make the 

 reins of ordinary bridles too long. The length to 

 which they are all cut was worked out as correct 



