BRIDLING. 39 



horse's jaw, and one inch above the last teeth with a 

 mare. 



It must be adapted to the mouth and temper of the 

 horse as well as to the formation of his head and neck. 

 A riding-master, or the rider, if he has any judgment, 

 ought to be able to form an opinion as to the most 

 suitable bit for an animal.* 



The ordinary Bridoon (or Double bridle, as it is called 

 in the North) is best adapted to the well-mouthed and 

 tempered horse, and is the safest and best bridle for 

 either road or field. Unfinished gentlemen as well as 

 lady equestrians, when riding with double reins to the 

 bits, are recommended to tie the curb-bit rein evenly in 

 a knot on the horse's neck (holding on]y the bridoon- 

 rein in the hand), provided his temper and mouth be 

 suitable to a snaffle. This is a practice pursued by some 

 even good and experienced horsemen where the temper 

 of a horse is high, in order to have the curb-bit to rely 

 upon in case he should happen to pull too hard on the 

 bridoon or snaffle, which otherwise would be quite suf- 

 ficient and best to use alone. 



The Curl-chain, when used, should be strong and 

 tight; it should invariably be supported by a lip-strap, 

 an adjunct that is really most essential, but which 

 grooms practically ignore by losing. The object of the 

 lip-strap is to prevent the curb, if rather loose, from fall- 

 ing over the lip, thus permitting the horse to get hold of 

 it in his mouth and go where he pleases ; it also guards 

 against a trick some beasts are very clever at, of catch- 

 ing the cheek or leg of the bit in their teeth, and mak- 



* It has been truly said by the well-known Mr Elmore, that there 

 is a key to every horse's mouth, requiring only proper hands to 

 apply it. 



