CHOICE OF A BIT. 107 



and then they blame the double bridle for being too severe. 

 In such a case, if the rider desires to preserve appearances by 

 retaining the double bridle, he can diminish its severity by 

 slackening out the curb-chain, or by even removing it. 

 " When my friends have come to me concerning their un- 

 manageable horse, I invariably find the poor animal has been 

 overbitted, or wrongly bitted, and recommend the easiest kind 

 of bit, which, in nine cases out of ten, succeeds " (LatchforcT). 

 The usual faults in the construction and adjustment of curbs, 

 are that the upper ends of the cheeks are too long, and 

 that the mouth-piece is placed too high in the mouth. 

 The former fault can be obviated by the use of a properly 

 made curb ; and the latter, by intelligent attention to the 

 bitting before mounting. 



The curb is especially useful for a horse that " sprawls 

 about " and requires a good deal of collecting when going 

 through heavy ground or over ridge and furrow, or when the 

 animal is tired ; for, from the peculiar action of the curb, he 

 will, with it, far more readily bend his neck, and consequently 

 arch his loins and get his hind quarters under him, than he 

 would do with a snaffle. Hence, a curb is indispensable with 

 many horses for crossing an English hunting country in good 

 style. We must also remember that out hunting, and with 

 large fields, like what we see with the Quorn and Pytchley, the 

 ability to obtain instant control over one's mount, even in 

 the midst ot exciting surroundings, is essential for the safety of 

 oneself, one's horse, and one's companions, and for avoiding 

 interference with sport. 



When riding in an open and comparatively hard and level 

 country, such as we may find in many places abroad, a snaffle 

 may do as well as a double bridle. I have known some horses 

 whose mouths had evidently been spoiled by injudicious, if 

 not cruel treatment, that would go quietly only in a snaffle. 

 The difficulty often experienced in collecting a horse which is 



