THE BRIDLE. 175 



the top of the winker to the buckle at the lower end, and 

 three-quarters of an inch wide. The buckles at the ends are 

 of the single pattern, and back of each is placed two 

 keepers, the upper set to receive the point-strap from 

 the crown-piece, and the lower two to hold the point- 

 strap of the cheek-piece after it has been passed through 

 the eye of the bit and buckled. As the shape and size of 

 horses' heads vary, the measurement for the length of the 

 cheek-pieces should be taken. Although the cheek-pieces 

 are adjustable, the proper fitting of this part of the harness 

 enables the winkers and bit to be correctly placed, without 

 producing the unsightly appearance of the point-straps ex- 

 tending far beyond the end keepers, or of the latter being 

 only half filled. The buckles which attach the cheek-pieces 

 to the crown-piece should be above the top line of the wink- 

 ers, so as to permit greater play and allow the winkers to 

 adjust themselves comfortably to the eye bones. 



The Winkers measure about six and a half inches in 

 length and five and a half inches in width. They are sewed 

 to the cheek-pieces and supported by narrow strips of leather 

 called winker-stays which are attached to the centre of the 

 crown-piece under the face-piece by a buckle. These straps 

 are about tv/elve inches long and five-eighths of an inch 

 wide. 



The Throat-Latch is about twenty-one inches long and 

 three-quarters of an inch wide. It should have buckles at 

 both ends and two keepers behind each buckle to hold the 

 ends of the point-straps of the crown-piece in place. The 

 throat-latch should have bearing-rein drops attached when 

 the plain bearing-rein is used, but none when the full bear- 

 ing-rein is employed. 



