The Curb, Etc. 65 



adjusting the reins. 



Adjusting the reins is altering them by shorten- 

 ing or lengthening in whole, or in part, as occasion 

 may require. This will be as often as you change 

 from one place to another. Besides, the reins, 

 being held as pliant and easy as circumstances 

 will admit, imperceptibly slip, particularly with 

 beginners. 



To become expert at adjusting the reins, take 

 the superfluous reins that hang over the forefinger 

 of the left hand into the right hand altogether. 

 Do not remove the left hand ; but only open the 

 fingers so that you can slip the hand up and down 

 the reins smoothly and freely, while the right 

 hand supports the horse and feels every cadence 

 or step the horse takes. By this method, you will 

 become handy in altering the reins altogether. 



Would you shorten the curb rein and lengthen 

 the bridoon, apply the right hand to the end of 

 the curb rein that hangs over the forefinger. First 

 slip the whole of the reins too long ; then slip the 

 left hand down the reins, keeping the centre of the 

 curb rein fast in your right hand, and feeling with 

 your fingers whether both the curb reins are of 

 equal length before you grasp with the left hand 

 or quit the right. 



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