2i6 BRIDLES AND SADDLES. 



without them, a Httle resin rubbed on the hands will 

 give all the " hold " the rider may require. The presence 

 of these cross bits of leather interferes somewhat with 

 the free handling of the reins, especially when length- 

 ening or shortening them. 



If the reins which pass through the rings of the 

 martingale be not sewn on to the bit, they should be 

 provided with " stops," so as to prevent the martin- 

 gale rings from being caught on the buckles (see 

 page 233). 



Nosebands. — An ordinary noseband, buckled tight, 

 will considerably increase the power of either curb or 

 snaffle. When the horse is turned to the right or to the 

 left, it allows the horns of the snaffle, on the side from 

 which he is turned, to act in the most advantageous 

 manner against the side of his upper and lower jaws. It 

 also causes him to bring his head lower and bend his 

 neck more than he would do without it, because it 

 deprives him of the power of yielding with the lower jaw 

 only. With the curb, it prevents him from shifting the 

 bit about in his mouth ; and also, when he is being 

 turned, it increases the power of the rider in pulling 

 his head round, as it fixes his upper and lower jaws 

 together, and thus deprives him of the side " play " of 



