282 



THE HORSE IN SERVICE 



tressed as any one if they fully realized the seriousness of their 

 mistakes. 



The Rudiments of Driving. — The rudiments of the proper 

 way to drive are as follows : Under ordinary conditions drive 

 with the left hand, with the right hand free for either take-up or 

 whip ; hold tlie near rein over the forefinger, the off rein between 

 the middle and ring fingers, thus leaving the reins separated by 

 two fingers, which allows sufficient space to introduce the fingers 

 of the right hand quickly, to take back (Fig. 149). This is 

 done by dropping the thumb and forefinger of the right hand over 



Fig. 150.— The take-back. 



the near rein, slipping the remaining three fingers between the 

 two reins at such distance in advance of the left hand as may be 

 required (Fig. 150). The reins should be gripped by tbeir edges 

 rather than by their flat sides. Either rein may be taken up 

 by the right hand as in the case of a turn, and the off rein may be 

 released by the left hand, passing through the right hand and 

 over the thumb in case a two-hand grip is desired (Fig. 151). 

 The position of the left hand should be vfith the knuckles 

 turned forward and perpendicular, the forearm horizontal and 

 at very nearly right angles with the reins. This position insures 

 the greatest freedom of wrist and fingers, is conducive to a light 



