162 



PRINCIPLES OF 



P. VI. 



The corresponding position of the rider to 

 support the position and action of the horse, 

 and maintain an undisturbed balance is next 

 to be considered. 



For this purpose, collect and separate the 

 reins, or in other words take one in each 

 hand. In doing this, let them be taken short 

 enough, because, if too short, you can with 

 ease slip them to a proper length ; but if too 

 long, you cannot shorten one hand without 

 the assistance of the other. Bring your inner 

 hand down, letting the wrist rest on, or just 

 above, the hip. By this, if your rein is of a 

 proper length, you will draw the horse's nose 

 within the circle and support the position; 

 and as this is your aim, be mindful not to pre- 

 vent your own intentions by pulling with the 

 outer hand. For this purpose, as you draw 

 the inner hand towards you, advance the 

 outer, to admit the horse freely bending. At 

 the same time, present your own body (as 

 the horse bends himself) towards the horse's 

 nose. Whether the horse is bent much or 

 little, your body having the like degree of 



