74 



PRINCIPLES OF 



P. III. 



Both reins being in one hand, and that 

 being in the first position, if I open the two 

 middle fingers, I slacken my right rein. If 

 I shut my hand, the right rein operates 

 again, and resumes the appui. If I open my 

 little finger, carrying the end of it upon the 

 right rein, I thereby slacken the left and 

 shorten the right. If I shut my hand entirely 

 and open it immediately again, I thereby 

 lessen the degree of tension and force of the 

 two reins at the same time. Again I may 

 close my hand not quite so much, but still 

 close it. It is by these methods, and by the 

 vibration of the reins, that we may unite the 

 feeling in the hand with that in the horse's 

 mouth ; and it is thus that we may play with 

 a fine and made mouth, and freshen and re- 

 lieve the two bars in which the feeling or 

 appui resides. 



It is the same with respect to the second 

 descent of the hand. The right hand holds 

 the reins, and we pass and slide the left hand 

 upon the reins, up and down, and in that 

 degree of appui of the easy and slack hand ; 



