VIII 



THE USB AND MISUSE OF THE HANDS 



" The Writers of Books, and the Horse-Men now living, that think 

 themselves Wise, and great masters, by the diversity of Bitts, shew 

 themselves full of Ignorance, and Simple People, to imagine. That 

 a piece of Iron in a Plorse's Mouth can bring him Knowledge ; no 

 more than a Book in a Boyes Hand can, at first, make him Read.^'' 



Newcastle. 



" The hand, which by givin?^ and taking properly, gains its point 

 with the least force, is the best." Pembroke. 



^nr^HE man who can control his horse in all man- 

 ner of situations and over all classes of coun- 

 try with' the minimum of discomfort to the aminal 

 and therefore to himself may be said to have good 

 hands. There are men of exceptional disposition 

 who have that inborn influence over horses which it 

 is impossible to explain, and they will always stand 

 out in a class of their own as regards hands; but 

 I can see no reason why most other riders should 

 have bad ones, providing they have a firm seat in- 

 dependent of the reins and know how to use them, 



and ride properly balanced horses. 



89 



