EQUITATION 285 



the reins loosely, separated by the forefinger, or with both reins 

 gripped between the thumb and forefinger. 



The trooper, mounted officer, or cowboy rides with one hand 

 in order to have a free hand for sabre, gun, stick, or rope, but 

 for riding in the park and cross country it is not only per- 

 missible but advisable to use both hands. Continued one-hand 

 riding with tlie other hand hanging disengaged has a tendency 

 toward an unsymmctrical development and carriage of shoulders. 

 Since the trooper and cow puncher guide their horses by the rein 

 on the neck exclusively, using the bit only for restraint, the finger- 

 ing of the reins in their cases is quite different from that which is 

 employed in riding a gaited or high school horse, for instance. 



The use of the reins implies pressure on the bit, with one 

 notable exception — the saddle horse. All saddle horses, but 

 especially those ridden with a single rein, are schooled to respond 

 to pressure of the rein on the neck (rein wise), turning away 

 from the side against which the rein is carried. If the reins 

 are crossed in front of the horse's neck, pressure on one side of 

 the neck puts pressure also on the opposite side of the mouth, 

 with the usual result so far as the horse is concerned. Gradually 

 he can be taught to respond to the rein on the neck without wait- 

 ing for the pressure on the bit ; clever horses even learn to follow 

 the movement of the hand as though bringing the rein against 

 the neck on one side or the other. Of course, the reins are not 

 crossed after the habit has been acquired. 



REVIEW 



1. Of what importance are the horse's mental limitations? 



2. What is the principle which underlies our system of control? 



3. What is the line of iransmission, from driver or rider to horse, of 



instructions for execution? 



4. What are irood hands; a good moutli; and wliat is Iheir rehition? 



5. Describe the snaffle and the curb bits, naming* the structures of 



the mouth involved by each. 

 G. When is a bit of the i-ight size and properly adjusted? 



7. For what puri:)Ose was the over-draw check designed and to what 



extent is it abused? 



8. When are the coupling reins of a pair of hoi-ses properly adjusted? 



9. To what extent should the word be used in riding or driving? Why? 

 10. What is the proper manner of holding the reins in driving? Why? 



