OF HORSEMANSHIP. 13 



An eafy and gentk Hand is that which by relaxing a little 

 of its Strength and Firmnefs, eafes and mitigates the Degree 

 of Feelino; between the Hand and Horfe's Mouth, which I 

 have already defcribed. 



Lastly, a light Hand is that which leflens ftill more the 

 Feeling between the Rider's Hand and the Horfe's Mouth, 

 which was before moderated by the gentk Hand. 



The Hand therefore, with refpedl to thefe Properties, mufi: 

 operate in part, and within certain Degrees ; and depends 

 upon being more or lefs felt, or yielded to the Horfe, or 

 with-held. 



It fliould be a Rule with every Horfeman, not to pafs at 

 once from one Extreme to another, from a firm Hand to a 

 flack one ; fo that in the Motions of the Hand, you mufl 

 upon no account jump over that Degree of Senfation which 

 conftitutes the eafy or gentle Hand. Were you at once to go 

 from a firm Hand or a flack one, you would then entirely 

 abandon your Horfe ; you would furprize him, depriv^e him 

 of the Support he trufted to, and precipitate him on his 

 Shoulders, fuppofing you do this at an improper time ; on 

 the contrary, were you to pafs from a flack to a tight Rein 

 all at once, you mufl: jerk your Hand, and give a violent 

 Shock to the Horfe's Mouth, which rough and irregular 

 Motion would be fuflicient to falfify the fineft Apuy, and 



ruin a good Mouth, 



It 



