SADDLERY AND HARNESS. 51 



sach toy-sbop gew-gaws have practically disappeared, and 

 though oner,- occasionally gets a shock by the sight of such 

 a thing adorning an effete mustang out of a livery stable, I 

 do not think any private person who values her reputation 

 would care to go out with one, nowadays, except under cover 

 of the darkness ! 



The lady's modern bridle is in all respects the same as a 

 man's, except in point of lightness. Few ladies are power- 

 ful enough to use a snaffle, and the short hunting curb la 

 the best all-round bit that has yet been invented. It is 

 difficult to advise as to whether ladies should have a severe 

 bit or not. I would rather suggest their having a bit capable 

 of being severe in case of a bolt, &c. It is horrible to think 

 of the consequences to a fragile woman bolted with in a 

 crowded thoroughfare, and still worse would it be out hunt- 

 ing, with some maddened brute recklessly rushing at a stiff 

 timber leap. At the same time, we must bear in mind that 

 many a horse is worried into this same bolting simply on 

 account of a severe bit. If the hands are light and gentle, 

 then the bit may be a "stiff" one, taking care, of course, 

 that the curb chain is not too tight. When such an in- 

 strument is used, it should never be handled in a jerky fashion, 

 or the horse is as likely as not to stop, and go straight up 

 with you, finding he cannot face it. A young steeplechase- 

 horse I have lately been riding is a fine example of this. His 

 modus operandi is as follows : He tries to bolt directly you 

 are safely ensconced on his back ; when you succeed in per- 

 suading him, by the bit, that this is not feasible, up he goes 

 in the air as straight as a line, and it is usually level monej 

 betting as to whether he comes down again the usual way, 

 or lands on his back instead. With lack, this charming 

 animal should do yeoman's service to the local undertaker. 

 I would sum up the subject by saying to my fair readers : 

 " Use a bit that you know you can hold a horse in with 

 if he bolts, but use it most judiciously." 



In harness there is not much scope for suggestions, 

 and we have had very few material changes in it of modern 

 years. It should be light and strong, and after it has seen 

 much service should be constantly tested. The leather, 

 especially of the traces, perishes very quickly, and nothing 

 can be much more awkward than a breakdown in this essential 

 part of the equipment. Some people are adopting the bridle 



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