214 BRIDLES AND SADDLES. 



sider a covering of silk ribbon, or patent coloured 

 leather, a relief. The browband of a racing bridle 

 may, appropriately, be of the owner's colours. 



The Throat Latch may have a buckle on the near 

 side, or may have one also on the off side. 



A Lipstrap should always be used with a curb, for, in 

 its absence, a horse may, at any moment, when galloping, 

 throw his head up, and reverse the position of the cheeks 

 of the bit, thus depriving the rider of proper control over 

 him. If, however, when he brings his head down again, 

 the rider, at the same time, slackens the reins, the 

 cheeks of the bit will fall back into their usual position. 

 Besides this, some horses have a trick of catching the 

 cheek, on one side, with their lip, and then boring down 

 to that side ; a practice which the presence of the lip- 

 strap will prevent. Lipstraps are generally made of 

 leather and provided with a buckle. They sometimes 

 consist of a light steel chain which has " spring hooks " 

 at each end. I like the latter arrangement, as being 

 simple and convenient, although some consider it only 

 fit for the bit of a lady's horse. 



Reins. — Having reins thick, thin, broad, or narrow, is 

 a point which the rider should decide for himself. 

 Almost all good horsemen like them to be pliable, and 



