BRIDLES. 1'7 



not obey the intentions of the rider, which is 

 dangerous to both. When* the bits are too 

 high the horse is gagged, holds up his nose, 

 and runs ungovernably with his mouth open 

 ("star-gazing.") When the bits are too low 

 they are uneasy to the horse, and he employs 

 himself in snapping to catch them in his 

 grinders, becoming inattentive to his steps, and 

 whenever the rider draws the reins to shorten 

 the pace or stop the horse, the low position of 

 the bits causes the head to stoop, bringing the 

 chin so acutely to his chest, that he is in 

 danger of stumbling and falling ; therefore the 

 bridoon-bit should be placed in the headstall, 

 so as to be half an inch below the corner or 

 end of the horse's mouth, when the bridle is 

 upon the head, and the curb-bit half an inch 

 below the bridoon. When the bridle is on 

 the head, the curb-chain is to be hooked 

 loosely underneath the bridoon-bit, which 

 must work above, and independently of the 

 curb-bit and chain. Curb-bits should have 

 long cheeks to operate, as a lever, with greater 

 power on the curb-chain. The bridoon is 

 c 3 



