MOUTHING BY LONG REINS. 169 



the lower jaw (see Figs. 10 and n). My objections to the 

 ordinary snaffle are : (i) it pinches the sides of the lower 

 jaw, by reason of the joint in its centre ; and (2) by being 

 round, its pressure is confined to a very small surface of the 

 gum, the extent of which surface is at least quadrupled 

 by the employment of a flat snaffle not less than an inch 

 broad. The greater the surface over which the pressure 

 is distributed, the less liable will such pressure be to irritate 



Fig. 79. Side view ot bearing-rein. 



the horse, or to render insensitive the part upon which 

 it is applied. The snaffle I use has a flat, steel core, to 

 give it the required stiffness. The addition, at the back 

 of the lower jaw, of a strap which is a continuation, on 

 both sides, of the leather that covers the mouthpiece, 

 prevents the bit from being liable to be drawn through 

 the mouth, and enables the driver (whether on foot or 

 in a trap) or rider, to pull the horse's head round by acting 

 on the lower jaw. The bearing-rein (see Figs. 79, 80 and 



