242 



PRINCIPLES OF 



P. VIII. 



Section VII. — Of the Position of the Hand. 



The left elbow is to touch the hip lightly. 

 The arm is to be steady against the side, 

 without force or stiffness. The hand is to be 

 about three inches from the body, and as 

 much above the pommel of the saddle. The 

 little finger is to be in a line with the point of 

 the elbow. The wrist is to be rounded. The 

 finger nails are to front the centre of the body. 

 The thumb is to point across the body. 



From this position of the bridle hand, the 

 little finger should at least have three lines of 

 action, upward, to guide the horse; — towards 

 the right shoulder, — towards the left, — to- 

 wards the breast. The little finger should 

 move on these lines only as the aids require. 

 Thus the horse will be guided, and lifted up 

 at each turn, by the inward, or leading rein ; 

 the outward acting in unity with it. 



Pupils should be cautioned not to throw 

 their right shoulders back, which they are 



