PART II.
ON THE REINS, &c.
The author most particularly wishes to impress upon his readers the value of riding with DOUBLE REINS for safety sake, and in order to avoid the numerous accidents arising from reins breaking, the tongues of buckles giving way, and the sewing of the reins to their bits coming undone. When there is but one rein, the rider is left quite at the mercy of an affrighted and infuriated animal; where, had there been TWO, he would still have sufficient command over the animal to prevent accidents.
There is another equally urgent reason for riding with double reins, viz., the continual use of the curb materially tends to deaden the sensitiveness of the horse’s mouth; from the constant and unavoidable drag upon the single rein, especially if tender-mouthed, he is made uneasy and fidgetty, causing him to throw his head about, and go extremely heavy in hand, and frequently rear or run back, to the very great danger and annoyance of his rider, particularly when happening in a crowded drive.
It is very requisite to ride a horse occasionally well up to the curb bit, and to keep him well up to it with the whip and heel, so that he may get used to work on his haunches. By this means he will be thrown upon them, and, consequently, “go light in hand,” the greater weight being taken from off his forehand, by which his carriage and general appearance is materially improved.
After many essays, the author has found the following method to be the most correct and SAFE for holding the reins, when using one or both hands. By it the rider has a much firmer hold—or, in professional parlance, “purchase”—upon the reins, in keeping them from slipping, consequently, a greater command over the horse, and can more readily allow either rein to slip should he desire to use but one.