THE HANDLING OF THE REINS 



exactly the same height, and never more than three 

 inches apart. To make an effect to either side, the 

 hand is carried three inches horizontally, without 

 any tilting of the hand upward or downward. 



The reins of the bridle, whether held in one hand 

 or both, are pressed by the fingers only just hard 

 enough to prevent slipping. If the pressure is too 

 strong, the tension will be communicated to the 

 arms, and from them to the whole upper portion of 

 the body. At first sight, nothing seems easier. But 

 in practice, the reins will slip, and unequally. The 

 result is that, when the rider has occasion to draw 

 on the reins, the one which at the moment happens 

 to be shortest, has the most effect. 



It becomes necessary, therefore, from time to 

 time, to readjust the reins in the hand. 



Suppose that all four reins are held in the left 

 hand. To adjust, let us say, the curb reins, which 

 are those without the buckle, the rider, with his 

 right hand behind the left, takes the free ends with 

 his thumb and first finger, and carries the right 

 hand upward, while at the same instant he relaxes 

 the grip of the left hand on these two. Meanwhile 

 the left hand is kept precisely in line with the 

 horse's neck. As soon as the rider feels with the 

 right hand the equal contact against the mouth, he 

 closes once more the fingers of the left hand and lets 

 go with the right. For the snafHe reins, those with 

 the buckle, the process is exactly the same. 



With the reins held in both hands, to adjust 



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