THE REASONED EQUITATION 



the left reins the rider brings the right hand up to 

 the left, takes with the thumb and first finger as 

 before the reins which have slipped too long, 

 relaxes the grip of the left hand, and draws the 

 reins upward to the proper length. If the reins are 

 too short, they are taken in the same way, but in 

 front of the left hand, and drawn forward. For 

 the right rein, the process is exactly reversed. 



It is difficult, usually, to teach a beginner 

 properly to close his fingers on the reins; particu- 

 larly women, who handle the leather as if it were 

 fine lace, and never really grip it firmly nor have 

 the correct length. Yet grip and length are even 

 more important for women than for men, since 

 the latter ha,ve the better control by way of legs 

 and saddle. With both men and women, the fault 

 commonly begins during the early lessons in the 

 ring. If not corrected then, it persists as a bad and 

 dangerous habit, so that one often sees even good 

 riders who have always to be adjusting their reins. 



Sometimes, for control or for safety, it becomes 

 necessary to shorten promptly some or all of the 

 reins. Beginners carelessly let them slip through 

 the fingers. Many older riders abandon control of 

 their horses or think it proof of a good hand to have 

 the reins too long. The result is that in sudden 

 emergency as, for example, when the animal by 

 a sudden jump disturbs the seat the rider can do 

 nothing until he has taken time to shorten his reins. 

 Then it may be too late. While, therefore, even 



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