The Sporting Dictionary and Rural Repository, Volume 2 (of 2) / Of General Information upon Every Subject Appertaining to the Sports of the Field

by William Taplin

LIGHT in HAND

.—A horse is said to be light in hand, who, bearing properly upon his haunches, (or hind-quarters,) requires little or no assistance from the BIT. Horses of this description are generally well formed in their fore-quarters, with a curved crest, carrying their heads well up, with long necks, high withers, and a commanding forehand. Those with short necks, thick shoulders, dull spirit, slow action, and the withers lower before than the spinal (or rump) bone behind, are always of a contrary description; they bore along, invariably bearing upon the bit, and from that circumstance are said to be heavy in hand.