14 ANEWSYSTEM 



It is iadifpenfibly neceflary therefore, that all its Opera- 

 tions fhoiild be gentle and light ; and in order to this, it is 

 neceflary that the Wrift alone fhould direft and .govern all its 

 Motions, by turning and fleering it, if I may fo fay, through 

 every Motion that it is to make. 



In confequence then of thefe Principles, I inflft that the 

 Wrifl be kept fo round, that your Knuckles may be always 

 diredly above the Horfe's Neck, and that your Thumb be 

 always kept flat upon the Reins. In reality, were your Wrifb 

 to be more or lefs rounded, than in the Degree I have fixed, 

 you could never work with your Hand, but by the means of 

 your Arm ; and befldes, it would appear as if it were lame : 

 Again, v^-ere your Thumb not to be upon the Flat of the 

 Reins, they would continually flip through the Hand, and, 

 by being lengthen'd, would fpoil the Apuy ; and in order 

 to recover them, you would be obliged every Moment to 

 raife your Hand and Arm, which would throw you into 

 Confuflon, and make you lofe that Juftnefs and Order, 

 without which no Horfe will be obedient, and work with 

 Readinefs and Pleafure. 



It is neverthelefs true, that with Horfes that are well dreft, 

 one may take Liberties ; thefe are nothing elfe but thofe Mo- 

 tions which are called Defcents of tlie Hand, and they are to be 

 made three different ways ; either by dropping the Knuckles 

 diredly and at once upon the Horfe's Neck, or by taking the 

 Reins in the Right-hand, about four Fingers breadth above 

 the Left, and letting them Aide through the Left, dropping 

 your Right-hand at the fame time upon the Llorfc's Neck ; 

 3 or 



