574 BRIDLE, SADDLE, ETC. 



The bits should be so adjusted as scarcely to wrinkle 

 the angle of the lips. They are generally too high in the 

 mouth. You will keep his mouth sensitive, and his speed 

 and ambition subject to your easy control, by never sub- 

 jecting his mouth to unnecessary pressure and pull. The 

 best mouth in the world can be hardened and spoiled by 

 an ignorant, clumsy rider. 



The throat latch should never be tight. The curb chain 

 should never pinch. 



A breast-plate is regarded by some people as setting 

 off a horse; and there are horses so shaped as to require 

 one. You might say the same of a crupper ! But as a 

 general thing don't use one more than the other unless you 

 have found it to be required. The breaker may want a 

 martingale, but should turn out his horse so that you do 

 not. The Dutch martingale, consisting of two rings, joined 

 by a strip of leather, and through which the reins pass, helps 

 the control of a flighty, stargazing horse, and to keep his 

 head where you want it ; but a good mount needs no martin- 

 gale. Spurs may be dispensed with till the rider knows his 

 business thoroughly. In some emergencies they are more 

 useful than any other stimulus, but are generally superfluous, 

 if your hack is a good one. 



Never ride in a saddle too big for you. Nothing looks 

 worse than a man who is all over the saddle, or who sits 

 back on it as if in a chair. The English saddle should not 

 be high, turned up, either at the pommel or the cantle, but 

 as flat as is consistent with safety to the horse's back. The 

 roll in front of your knees should be very small or dispensed 

 with altogether. The stuffing of the saddle must be occa- 

 sionally looked to, and worked over if lumpy or hard ; for a 



