54 BITS AND BRIDLE GEAR. 



The names of the different leather parts of a bridle. 

 (Fig. 67) are as follows : 



The crown-piece passes over the horse's poll. 



The cheek-pieces connect the crown-piece with the bit. 



The throat-latch (usually pronounced " throat-lash ") passes 

 under the animal's throat, and serves to prevent the bridle 

 from slipping over his head. 



The front, forehead-band or brow-band, goes across the 

 horse's forehead, and has a loop at each end, for the crown- 

 piece to pass through. "Front" is the trade term for this 

 strap. 



The head-stall or head, which is the trade term, is the name 

 given to all this leather work. 



The reins are connected to the bit or bits. 



Billets are the ends of reins or cheek-pieces which enter the 

 buckles that attach such reins or cheek-pieces to the bit. 

 There would naturally be no billets in bridles that had the 

 reins and cheek-pieces sewn on to the bit. 



Loops or keepers serve to retain the ends of the billets, when 

 buckles are employed. 



A nose-band (p. 63), is the strap that goes over the horse's 

 nose. 



A bridoon head (Fig. 68), is the head-stall of the snaffle of a 

 double bridle, and consists of two straps connected by a buckle. 



METHODS FOR CONNECTING THE HEAD-STALL AND 



REINS TO THE BIT. 



Fashion decrees that the head-stall and reins must be 

 sewn on to the bit, which is undoubtedly the neatest 

 plan ; although it is inconvenient to the groom when he 

 wants to clean the bridle, and it does not admit of the bit 

 being readily changed. These are valid objections to a horse- 

 owner who, like many in India and the Colonies, is obliged 

 to consider practical requirements rather than appearance, 



