16 ANGLO-FRENCH HORSEMANSHIP 



in 1913 placed the reins loose round their OAvn necks 

 so as to have their arms free to handle their guns, and 

 when they wanted to stop their horses they grasped the 

 reins high up with their left hands and closed in their 

 heels. A low hand and a large angle distributes the 

 action of the bit between the mouth and the poll of the 

 head. 



Notwithstanding Baucher's assertion that there is 

 no difference in the sensiti\^eness of horses' mouths, 

 practical experience in the hunting field shows that 

 every mouth has its own special key, and that some 

 horses prefer to take the supporting pressure — which is 

 necessary in the fast paces — on the tongue, whilst 

 others like to have their tongues free and take the 

 pressure mainly on the bars. To decide upon the bit 

 most suitable to a horse, examine the mouth with the 

 fingers, and find out by pressure whether or not the bars 

 or tongue are unduly sensitive, and let the result of 

 this examination regulate the height and width of the 

 port, the mouthpiece being the same width as the lower 

 jaw and Hps, at the point opposite the chin groove. 

 It is also important to notice the width and depth of 

 the space between the bars of the mouth, as if this 

 is shallow and narrow the bit will press unduly on the 

 tongue unless there is a roomy port to it. A pelham 

 with a fairly high port is, I think, the best bit for a 

 horse that gets his tongue o\er. 



In arranging the bits in the horse's mouth, put the 

 bridoon on alone first, so that it lies exactly in 

 the corners of the mouth, not stretching them in the 

 slightest when the reins are slack ; the mouthpiece 

 of the curb bit should then be placed just clear of the 

 ends of the bridoon, falhng on the bars of the lower 

 jaw at a point about opposite the chin groove, in such a 



