42 THE REINS. 



and little finger : but the greater number use the latter 

 alone for this purpose, passing the off or right rein over 

 it, and bringing the near or left rein up beneath it. 

 The reins are carried flat upon each other up through 

 the hand, near the middle joint of the fore-finger, and 

 the thumb is placed upon them so that their ends fall 

 down in front of the knuckles. The elbow should 

 neither be squeezed close to the side, nor thrust out 

 into an awkward and unnatural position ; but be carried 

 easily and gracefully, at a moderate distance from the 

 body. The thmnb should be uppermost, and the hand so 

 placed that the lower part of it be nearer the waist than 

 the upper; the wrist should be slightly rounded, the 

 little finger in a line with the elbow, and the nails 

 turned towards the rider. 



With the reins in this position, the lady, if she wish 

 her horse to advance, brings her thumb towards her, until 

 the knuckles are uppermost, and the nails over the 

 horse's shoulder : the reins, by this simple motion, are 

 slackened suflSciently to permit hun to move for- 

 ward. After he is put in motion, the rider's hand 

 should return to the first position, gradually; or it may 

 be slightly advanced, and the thumb turned upwards 

 immediately. 



To direct a horse to the left, let the thumb, which in 

 the first position is uppermost, be turned to the right, 

 the little finger to the left, and the back of the hand 

 brought upwards. This movement is performed in a 



