bridle hand

American  

noun

1. (of a horseback rider) the hand, usually the left hand, that holds both reins or both pairs of reins, leaving the other hand free to manage a whip, crop, lariat, or the like.

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Etymology

Origin of bridle hand

First recorded in 1570–80

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

bridle hand

Q. How many lines of action should the little finger of the bridle hand move on?—A.

From The Barb and the Bridle A Handbook of Equitation for Ladies, and Manual of Instruction in the Science of Riding, from the Preparatory Suppling Exercises by Moustache, Vielle

The former is no less fatiguing to, than the latter is distressed by, the bridle hand.

From The Young Lady's Equestrian Manual by Anonymous

But as they wheeled their horses on guard with a touch of the bridle hand, I saw John Scarlet, Wat's master of fence, flash a look at his scholar's guard-sword.

From The Men of the Moss-Hags Being a history of adventure taken from the papers of William Gordon of Earlstoun in Galloway by Crockett, S. R. (Samuel Rutherford)

It was hot at the base of the hills—so hot that when your bridle hand dropped inadvertently to the pommel of the saddle, the brass mounting there seemed to burn you.

From Stories from Everybody's Magazine by Various

He reached out and seized, with gentle firmness, the girl's bridle hand.

From The Son of his Father by Cullum, Ridgwell