RIDING 133 



out by brambles, thorns, or hanoing boughs. The way in 

 which both learn to avoid these is extraordinary. 



Connected with the seat is what is called in horse language 

 " hands." When a man inquires what kind of bit he should 

 use, he generally means what sort would suit his horse's 

 mouth ; it is of more importance to inquire what will suit 

 his own " hands." This is to say, that a man with " good 

 hands " can ride with any bit ; while it is most important, 

 where the rider has " no hands at all," that the animal 

 should not be punished and confined by a cruel piece of 

 ironwork. The bridle with which, in the first case, he 

 would go pleasantly and gracefully, would, in the latter 

 become neither more nor less than an instrument of torture, 

 under the effects of which he could go neither pleasantly, 

 gracefully, nor even safely to himself or rider. 



One would naturally suppose that any man in the habit 

 of riding would be anxious to acquire so necessary a part of 

 horsemanship as good hands. Daily observation, however, 

 shows that it is not so ; and this inattention or indifference 

 arises from various causes. The first is, the man knows 

 nothing about " hands," consequently does not know that he 

 has bad ones ; again, if he does know this, as he merely 

 rides an animal for health and exercise, and having found 

 one who has no more " mouth " than his master has " hands," 

 the latter has probably found himself safely enough carried, 

 and wants no more. 



Bad "hands" are much more frequent causes of bad 

 riding than even defects of seat. Indeed, the things act 

 and react, and an unsteady seat will produce bad " hands." 

 Should a friend, then, ask you candidly about bits and 

 bridles, and so forth, be equally candid with him. Ask 

 him, " Has your horse a good mouth ? " that is, tender ; and 

 '' Does he often throw up his head ? " 



Is his mouth, temper, and disposition such that a curb-bit 

 can be dispensed with ? If it is, ride your horse, by all 

 means, in a plain snaffle and martingale (not a nose one). 

 If he requires a curb, use an easy one, and only make use 

 of it occasionally. We would recommend all men with bad 

 hands to use martingales ; not exactly to keep the horse's 

 head down, but to counteract the effect of their hands 

 getting up, which is nearly always the practice with bad 

 riders. Martingales too, are advisable, because with one 

 it matters less where the hands are ; they do not affect the 



