148 Our Noblest Friend, The Horse 



you must learn how to hold it, and that the two 

 bits have entirely different effects and purposes. 



You may hold your reins any way that comes 

 handiest. There is a set military style, but never 

 forget that, as a civilian, you have no use whatever 

 for anything set and formal, and that nature gave 

 you two hands to use and not to dangle aimlessly 

 about. You may carry the curb-reins inside, or vice 

 versa — one way is as good as the other — but what- 

 ever method you adopt, learn to shut the hands 

 tight and to keep them closed, and to hold the reins 

 firmly as they are placed. When you can do this 

 with no conscious effort you will make an advance 

 that most people do not learn in a lifetime. 



Practise doing anything that will make you at 

 home on a horse — open gates, put down and take 

 up bars, pick up sticks or light chairs (when stand- 

 ing still), play croquet, or polo, or ping-pong on him 

 if you like, and never be satisfied with half-way 

 measures. Make up your mind that of all your 

 accomplishments none is so conspiaious, and if you 

 have no pride for yourself and in your own appear- 



