78 



HINTS ON HORSES 



Bridles vary greatly, from plain snaffles 

 to double bridles, of which there are many 

 varieties. An ordinary " Pelham " bit is a 

 mixture of the two. Without the curb chain 



it is practically a snaffle, and with the curb 

 chain a double bridle. It requires less leather- 

 work than a double bridle, and is possibly the 

 simplest bit for all-round use. 



Driving. 



Amongst coachmen we notice two methods, 

 the one showing the compact position which 

 inspires confidence, and the other the loose 

 method which suggests a great element of 

 chance (Fig. 48). 



If the wrist of the left or driving hand is 

 kept supple and bent, the back of the hand 

 will be at an angle to the forearm. 



The reins follow more or less the line of 

 the forearm. It will be seen that the strength 



of the back of the hand is added to the 

 strength of the fingers in taking the strain 

 of the horses. Now, if the wrist is unbent, 

 and the forearm and back of the hand form 

 one continuous line, the whole pull comes on 

 the fingers, the reins soon slip, and the feeling 

 of confidence gradually vanishes. 



The elbow must be kept to the side, sticking 

 it out will do no good. 



