CHAPTER VI.. Holding the Reins, and Managing the Horse.

HOLDING THE REINS, AND MANAGING THE HORSE.

A thorough knowledge of the management of the horse highly necessary for a lady.--Position in the saddle has an important influence.--Horses generally more gentle with women than with men.--Position should be acquired first, and afterwards the reins be used.--How to hold the hands and snaffle-reins, in first lessons.--To turn the horse to the right, to the left, to back him, to stop him, with a snaffle-rein in each hand.--Manner of holding the snaffle-reins in the bridle-hand; to turn the horse to either side; to back, and to stop him.--To change the snaffle-reins from the left to the right hand; to reinstate them in the bridle-hand.--To separate the snaffle-reins; to shorten or lengthen them.--To hold the curb and bridoon, or double bridle-reins; to shorten or lengthen them; to shorten the curb and lengthen the snaffle-reins; to shorten the snaffle and lengthen the curb-reins.--To tighten a rein that has become loose.--To change the double bridle from the left to the right hand; to return it to the left hand.--Management of reins when making quick turns.--European manner of holding the double bridle-reins, a pair in each hand.--The equestrienne should practice and perfect herself in these various manoeuvrings with the reins.--The proper rein-hold creates a correspondence between the rider's hand and the horse's mouth, and gives support to the animal.--Give and take movements--The dead-pull.--In collecting the horse the curb must be used.--The secret of good riding.--The management of the reins with restive horses.--Liberty of the reins sometimes necessary.--Movements of horse and rider should correspond.--Horse united or collected.--Horse disunited.--To animate the horse.--To soothe the horse.--What to do in certain improper movements of the horse.--Concluding remarks. 145