SADDLE AND BRIDLE 17 



manner that the curb chain fits in it smoothly and 

 snugly, yet not so loosely that it can get over the under 

 lip when the reins are slack ; a tight curb chain makes 

 many horses pull. 



Before leaving the stable the groom should take 

 hold of the curb reins under the neck, and gently bring 

 the full pressure of the bit to bear on the mouth ; if 

 the horse yields kindly, the bit suits, and is properly 

 placed ; if not, the position must be changed until its 

 exact spot in the mouth is discovered. The^-e is no 

 comfort in riding if the horse will not face his bit. 



The point to bear in mind is that the longer the 

 cheeks, the thinner the canons, and the higher the port, 

 the more severe will the bit be, and that, as a horse 

 should not be hurt, the strength of the bit should depend 

 upon the length of the branches, and not on the shaip' 

 ness of the mouthpiece. Sometimes, although the 

 curb chain lies in its proper place, it still hurts the 

 bony projection just above ; in this case an indiarubber 

 or leather curb-guard should be worn. A piece of 

 indiarubber piping 6 inches long, with a small slit in 

 the centre, made lengthways, for the drop ring of the 

 curb chain to fall through, answers equally well, but 

 is not so neat. 



A useful bridoon in which to ride a horse, that is 

 inclined to refuse to jump, is one designed by 

 M. Baucher ; it has above the rein ring, a short cheek 

 piece to the top of which the head piece is attached in the 

 same way as to the curb bit. The advantage of this 

 bridoon is that when the right rein is used to prevent 

 the horse turning to the left, the short cheek on the 

 left side, being pulled against the teeth and gums, forces 

 the horse to open his mouth and yield to the rein. 



Horses with short mouths are best ridden in a 



