HOLDING THE REINS.
There are various ways of holding the reins, depending upon fancy, and circumstances; such as the fineness of a horse’s mouth, and the delicacy of the rider’s hand.
Holding a single rein.—The rein is taken in the centre where the joining is, between the fore-finger and thumb of the right hand, and drawn towards the body, the left hand is placed over the reins, and the little finger is inserted between them; the hand is then closed, and the reins are drawn through the fingers, by the right hand, until a proper feeling is obtained upon the horse’s mouth; the loop end of the rein is allowed to drop over the fore-finger, and the thumb is placed upon the rein, to prevent its slipping.
Holding a double rein.—The curb rein being held as directed, the loop of the snaffle rein is placed over the curb rein in the palm of the left hand, or, to have a double bearing upon the horse’s mouth, the rein may be drawn, till the required tension is obtained, the left rein lying over the curb rein in the palm of the hand, the right snaffle rein, passing between the second and third fingers. In dividing the reins with the little finger, the right rein, which passes over that finger, is always a little longer than the other, and requires to be shortened, if this be not attended to, the horse will be ridden chiefly upon the left rein, his head will be bent to the left, and he will not be looking the way he is going.
Holding the Curl and snaffle reins separated.—The curb being held as directed in the first described method, the snaffle rein is taken in the same manner, in the right hand, below the left; the principal bearing is brought upon this rein, which keeps the horse’s head steady, while with the left hand the horse’s mouth is kept alive, by a play on the bit, giving and taking, but, at the same time retaining a light bearing upon the horse’s mouth. This is an excellent method for holding the reins with a fiery, high actioned horse, not up to hand.
Adjusting the reins.—The rider should take hold of the loop end of the rein, and draw it through her hand until the proper bearing and tension has been obtained.
AIDS AND INDICATIONS.
All those motions of the body, the hand, the leg, and the whip, which either indicate the rider’s wishes, or in some degree assist the horse to perform them, are, in the art of riding denominated ‘aids;’ in their execution, a perfect combination, and the greatest uniformity, exactness, and delicacy are required.
The indications of the hand are of two sorts, guiding and retaining, those of the leg and whip, are also of two sorts, guiding and urging. The aids serve to put the horse in movement, to direct, and to stop him; they should not only decide the pace which the horse is to take, but also signify to him, the rate at which each pace is to be executed, and also determine his carriage during the performance of it. The power of these aids, and the degree of severity to be used, must be governed by circumstances, and the sensibility of the horse.