CHAPTER VII.

HOW TO HOLD THE REINS.

Principles--Holding Single Reins in Both Hands--Holding Single Reins in
One Hand--Holding Double Reins in Both Hands--Holding Double Reins
in One Hand--Shortening the Reins--Military Method of Holding the
Reins--Respective Merits of One-Handed and Two-Handed Riding.

As there is but little difference between the respective ways men and
women should use their reins, I have taken the most of this chapter from
_Riding and Hunting_.

PRINCIPLES.

The following are the usual principles to be observed in holding the
reins:--

1. A secure grip of the reins should be maintained, with as little
stiffness as possible, because stiffness implies continued muscular
contraction, and consequent defective manipulation from fatigue.

2. When both hands are used, we should hold the reins so that we can
freely use our hands, either separately or together, in any required
direction.

3. When both hands are used, the manner of holding the reins by one
hand should be the same as that by the other, so that the feeling of the
hands on the reins may be the same on both sides.

4. When a horse which has an "even" mouth is going in a straight
direction, the action of one rein should be the same as that of the
other rein.

[Illustration: Fig. 71.--A rein in each hand.]

HOLDING SINGLE REINS IN BOTH HANDS.

Pass the near rein between the little finger and the ring finger of the
left hand, bring it out between the forefinger and thumb, and take up
the off rein in the same manner in the right hand (Fig. 71). The reins
thus held will be in the best position for general use, especially as
the hands can then be readily separated, if we wish to turn the horse to
one side or the other.

[Illustration: Fig. 72.--Single reins crossed in one hand.]

[Illustration: Fig. 73.--Single reins crossed in one hand.]

HOLDING SINGLE REINS IN ONE HAND.

While holding the reins as in Fig. 71, pass the off rein into the left
hand between its forefinger and thumb, and across the portion of the
near rein that is in the palm of the left hand (Fig. 72). On letting go
the off rein with the right hand, we close the fingers of the left hand,
turn the left hand inwards, and let it fall from the wrist in an easy
manner (Fig. 73). When holding the reins in one hand, we should not keep
the knuckles in a vertical position, because, by doing so, one rein will
come up higher on the horse's neck than