and inappropriate. a retired chief says twirling the reins is a proper technique to keep people away from grabbing the horse s harness and to keep them from getting knocked down and trampled. other sources in horse patrols in two different states tell me the rider was using the reins as a signal to move the horse forward but twirling is not taught at the academy because if a migrant can hold the reins they control the horse which is worse. the dhs will determine if the agent s actions were consistent with department values. assure control of the horse, long reins are used. i know a lot of border patrol agents. i see them at church. the kids go to school. they are good folks. but, you know, they will investigate this. they were not using whips. they weren t using last sows. we don t know what the contents