OF HORSEMANSHIP. n 



Touch, which helps to form a good Hand ; let us fee then 

 what the Rules are that we muft follow, in order to make 

 it perfed, and by which we muft dired all its Operations. 



A HORSE can move four different Ways, he can advance, 

 go back, turn to the Right, and to the Left ; but he can 

 never make thefe different Motions, unlefs the Hand of the 

 Rider permits him by making four other Motions v/hich 

 anfvver to them : So that there are five different Pofitions for 

 the Hand. 



The firft is that general Pofition, from which proceed, 

 and indeed ought to proceed, the other four. 



Hold your Hand three Fingers breadth from your Body, 

 as high as your Elbow, in fuch a Manner that the Joint of 

 your Little-finger be upon a right Line with the Tip of the 

 Elbow ; let your Wrift be fufficiently rounded, fo that your 

 Knuckles may be kept diredly above the Neck of your 

 Horfe ; let your Nails be exadlly oppofite your Body, the 

 Little-finger nearer to it than the others, your Thumb quite 

 flat upon the Reins, which you muft feparate, by putting 

 your Little-finger between them, the right Rein lying upon 

 it ; this is the firft and general Pofition. 



Does your Horfe go forward, or rather would you have 

 him go forward ? Yield to him your Hand, and for that Pur- 

 pofe turn your Nails downwards, in fuch a Manner as to 

 bring your Thumb near your Body, remove your Little- 

 finger from it, and bring it into the Place where your 



C 2 Knuckles 



