HARNESS 



359 



adjusted to hang free in the mouth just below the angles, which should not 

 be compressed by it. Many horses go best in a snaffle, and for these there 

 is a wide range for selection, from the plain and easy snaffle (fig. 586) to 

 the twisted snaffle (fig. 588) and the powerful chain (fig. 587). Others 

 are better suited by a curb bit, as the Pelham (fig. 589), or by a double 

 bridle, as the Weymouth (fig. 590), each of which may be easy or punish- 

 ing, according to the mouth-piece, the length of the cheek-bars, and the 

 adjustment of the curb. The easiest bit is the plain snaffle. The guard- 

 bit, with revolving mouth-piece (fig. 591), is also a very humane bit, and 

 by many preferred to the Liverpool sliding-bit (fig. 592). 



The advantage of good " hands " cannot be too strongly insisted upon. 



Fig. 591. Guard Bit 



Fig. 592. Liverpool Bit 



Many a puller has been made, and many a high-spirited horse spoiled, by 

 the irritation of a heavy, unsympathetic, uncultivated hand. 



Bearing-reins. The question of bearing-reins is a somewhat thorny 

 one. As frequently used the bearing-rein is undoubtedly an instrument of 

 punishment. Recognizing this, many humane people have in unsparing 

 language denounced its use under any circumstances. Notwithstanding 

 this, the bearing-rein, when properly adjusted, is of great benefit in re- 

 straining fresh, hard-pulling horses; it makes them go better together, 

 keeps them better in hand, and saves the driver many an arm-ache and 

 the owner the costs of many an accident. As an aid in controlling restive 

 horses it is unquestionably much less chafing, more serviceable, and more 

 humane than its secret substitute the gag-bit. 



Every horseman who has to handle high-spirited, well-bred, well-fed, 

 intermittingly worked horses can appreciate the great value of a properly 

 adjusted bearing -rein. While its abuse deserves the condemnation of 

 every humane person, its rational use can only be condemned by those 

 ignorant of its benefits. 



