78 BRIDLES. 



turns of wash-leather, which can be kept in its place 

 by sewing. 



In all cases a snaffle should be thick and smooth, so 

 that it may not hurt the horse's mouth. 



CURBS. 



A curb is a bit which acts as a lever, by means of 

 the curb-chain that passes under the animal's lower 

 jaw (Fig. 38). Fig. 39 shows a properly constructed 

 curb for a horse with an ordinary sized mouth. The 

 best curb which is in general use is the Ward Union 

 (Fig. 40). The curb-chain should have broad and 

 thick links, so that it may not hurt the lower jaw. 

 This precaution can be supplemented by a leather 

 guard or by passing the curb-chain through a rubber 

 tube (Fig. 41). A chin-strap (Figs. 42 and 43) is 

 necessary to keep the curb in its place (Fig. 44). 



PELHAMS. 



A Pelham is a bit which can act either as a curb 

 or a snaffle, according to the reins which are taken 

 up. Unless a lady thoroughly understands the 

 handling of the reins, she should not use a Pelham, 

 because her tendency when riding will be to feel both 

 reins, in which case the snaffle reins will pull the 

 mouth-piece high up in the mouth, which, as we shall 

 see further on, is the wrong position for the action of 

 the curb. Hence, only one pair of reins (either those 

 of the snaffle or those of the curb) should be brought 

 into play when using a Pelham. 



