THE RIDING 219 



horseman the heavy double-reined bridle can do 

 no harm, because he will not apply it at the 

 wrong moment, but with an indifferent rider it 

 is an instrument of torture to the animal and 

 a source of danger to the man himself. There 

 are probably more perfect hunters to be seen 

 in Leicestershire than in any other country, and 

 yet, if half a dozen horses jump a fence, one of 

 them is certain to break it down. If you watch, 

 you can easily see the reason for yourself. The 

 good rider sails over without disturbing a twig, 

 and then comes a nervous man or one who is 

 a moderate horseman. He involuntarily clutches 

 the reins as the horse is spreading himself to 

 land, the curb tightens, the neck is bent, and 

 the hind legs crash through the fence in con- 

 sequence. If every one used snaffles, or shorter 

 cheeked bits, there would be fewer falls, and 

 the farmers would not have to complain of 

 broken hedges. The beginner should remember 

 this and avoid over-bridling. All he requires 

 is a bridle with which he can control his horse, 

 but even then he must not make use of the 

 reins to regulate his balance in the saddle. If 

 he should feel at all insecure, it is far better to 



