CHOICE OF A BIT. 239 



unskilful rider who " loses " his stirrup, often finds great 

 difficulty in catching it again with his foot, if it happens 

 to lie parallel to the horse's side ; while he will naturally 

 feel " all abroad " if he is on a difficult horse, or is 

 trying to negotiate a jump, unless he has the support 

 of both stirrups. When the leathers are twisted, as I 

 have described, the iron will be in the very best position 

 for the foot to take it. It strikes me also, that in the 

 event of a fall, the feet will come out of the irons a trifle 

 more readily when thus arranged, than they would do 

 without the leather having received a twist. 



Choice of a Bit. 



As, in ail ordinary riding, we require to have perfect 

 command over a horse, the double bridle will be found 

 to be the best one for general use. We may, with it, 

 ride on the snaffle as much as w^e like, and keep the 

 curb for emergencies. With the bit and bridoon, men 

 frequently, from not knowing how to hold their reins 

 properly, get into the habit of always riding with an 

 equal feeling on both reins, and then they not unusually 

 blame the double bridle for being too severe. The 

 snaffle is the queen of bits when used by a really fine 

 horseman, or by a " mutton-fisted " rider. The former 



