MOUNTED, 



43 



fall equally on the bit ; then do the same bj the snaffle, 

 but draw it so much tighter than the curb that the lat- 

 ter will hang loose, and any movement of your hand 

 will be felt through the snaffle. Grasp all the reins 

 firmly, your hand back upward, with wrist a little bent 

 and elbow near your side, so that if the horse, stum- 

 bling, thrust his nose suddenly out, you will not be 

 jerked from the saddle. 



SHOWING REINS IN LEFT HAND. 



All this you will quickly get the knack of, and do as 

 easily as you would thread a needle. You will observe 

 that, having the width of three fingers between the 

 two snaffle -reins, you can, by bending your wrist to 

 right or left, guide the horse as easily as with the reins 

 in both hands. Get the horse "light in hand" by the 

 usual play of the bit, first the curb, then the snaffle, 

 tapping him on the right side, just forward of the girth, 

 if he fails to respond or offers to back. 



l^^^ow press him just back of the girth with your left 

 heel, at the same time relaxing the rein a little. If he 

 steps forward, pat and praise him, but if not, press him 



