EQUITATION 285 



the reins loosely, separated by the forefinger, or with both reins 

 gripped between the thumb and forefinger. 



The trooper, mounted officer, or cowboy rides with one hand 

 in order to have a free hand for sabre, gun, stick, or rope, but 

 for riding in the park and cross country it is not only per- 

 missible but advisable to use both hands. Continued one-hand 

 riding with tlie other hand hanging disengaged has a tendency 

 toward an unsynimetrical development and carriage of shoulders. 

 Since the trooper and cow puncher guide their horses by the rein 

 on the neck exclusively, using the bit only for restraint, the finger- 

 ing of the reins in their cases is quite different from that which is 

 employed in riding a gaited or high school horse, for instance. 



REVIEW 



1. Of what importance are the horse's mental limitations'? 



2. What is the principle which underlies our system of control? 



3. What is the line of transmission, from driver or rider to horse, of 



instructions for execution? 



4. What are g'ood hands; a good mouth; and what is their relation? 



5. Describe the snaffle and the curb bits, naming the structures of 



the mouth involved by each. 



6. When is a bit of the right size and properly adjusted? 



7. For what purpose was the over-draw check designed and to what 



extent is it abused? 



8. When are the coupling reins of a pair of horses properly adjusted? 



9. To what extent should the word be used in riding or driving? Why? 

 10. What is the proper manner of holding the reins in driving? Why? 



