20 RIDING RECOLLECTIONS. 



a covert affording every prospect of a fun. Before 

 you put your foot in the stirrup be sure to examine 

 his bit not one groom in a hundred knows how to 

 bridle a horse properly and remember that on the 

 fitting of this important article depends your success, 

 your enjoyment, perhaps your safety, during the day. 

 Horses, like servants, will never let their master be 

 happy if they are uncomfortable themselves. See that 

 your headstall is long enough, so that the pressure 

 may lie on the bars of the horse's mouth and not 

 crumple up the corners of his lips, like a gag. The 

 curb-chain will probably be too tight, also the throat- 

 lash ; if so, loosen both, and with your own hands ; it 

 is a pleasant way of making acquaintance, and may 

 perhaps prepossess him in your favour. If he wears a 

 nose-band it will be time enough to take it off when 

 you find he shows impatience of the restriction by 

 shaking his head, changing his leg frequently, or 

 reaching unjustifiably at the rein. 



I am prejudiced against the nose-band. I frankly 

 admit a man in a minority of one must be wrong, 

 but I never rode a horse in my life that, to my own 

 feeling, did not go more comfortably when I took 

 it off. 



Look also to your girths. For a fractious temper they 



