56 BITS AND BRIDLE GEAR. 



head-stall and reins are sewn on to a bit, the sewing, as in 

 Fig. 64, should be kept sufficiently away from the steel to 

 facilitate cleaning, and to allow the attached straps to work 

 freely on their respective rings. I prefer the sewing to be 

 oval (Fig. 63), rather than in straight lines (Fig. 49). Another 

 objection to reins sewn on to the bit is that from constant 

 cleaning of the latter the thread of the sewing is apt to get 



Fig. 69. Stud Billets. Fig. 70. Spring Hook. 



rotten and break away. I have seen this happen when 

 hunting. It is therefore necessary to frequently examine 

 the sewing in question and test its soundness. 



While retaining the convenience of buckles, the neat ap- 

 pearance of the sewing may to a certain extent be secured 

 by means of stud billets (Fig. 69). I like spring hooks 

 (Fig. 70) to connect the bit to the head-stall, because they 

 are even more handy than buckles for removing or replacing 



