78 HOESES AND EIDING. 



In every double bridle sold tliere are two faults 

 in the reins. First, they are too long for anything 

 but a horse with an exceptionally long neck ; and 

 secondly, the snaffle and curb rein are of different 

 widths. 



The objection to the first fault is, that the ends 

 of the reins hang down over the pommel of the 

 saddle, and get between the rider's knee and the 

 saddle, or else between the saddle and the horse's 

 shoulders, one causing discomfort to the rider and 

 the other to the horse. 



The objection to the second fault is, that the 

 broad or snaffle rein prevents the rider's hand from 

 closing round and getting a firm grip of, the narrow 

 or curb rein, and consequently the horse is always 

 drawing the curb rein through the rider's fingers and 

 preventing him from holding it tight when he wants 

 to do so. 



Many of my readers who are in the habit of 

 hunting will know that this is often the case when 

 they are galloping over a field, although they perhaps 

 did not know the reason; and if any one of them has 

 got two double-reined bridles and will put the two 

 snaffle reins on one pair of bits, and the two curb 

 reins on the other pair, leaving the headstalls as 

 they are, he will be surprised to find with how much 

 more ease he will be enabled to hold the reins with 

 a tight grasp. 



I have often asked both saddlers who make 



