40 BRIDLING. 



ing off in spite of the efforts of any rider. If the curb 

 be tight, the lip-strap is equally useful in keeping it 

 horizontally, and preventing its drooping to too great 

 a pressure, thus causing abrasion of the animal's jaw. 

 The curb ought to be pretty tight, sufficiently so to 

 admit one finger between it and the jaw-bone. 



The Snaffle with a fine-mouthed horse is well adapted 

 for the field — the only place where I would ever dis- 

 pense altogether with the curb-bit, and then only in 

 favour of a fine-mouthed well-tempered beast disposed 

 to go coolly at his fences. 



On the road a horse may put his foot upon a stone 

 in a jog-trot, or come upon some irregularity ; and unless 

 the rider has something more than a snaffle in his hand, 

 he is exceedingly likely to suffer for it. Many a horse 

 that is like a foot-ball in the field, full of life and elas- 

 ticity, and never making a mistake, will on the road 

 require constant watching to prevent his tumbling on 

 his nose.* 



At the same time, a horse should by no means be 

 encouraged to lean on the bit or on the rider's support, 

 which most of them will be found quite ready to do ; a 

 disposition in that direction must be checked by mildly 

 feeling his mouth (with the bit), pressing your legs 

 against his sides, and enlivening him gently with the 

 whip or spur. 



The Martingal. — The standing or head martingal is 

 a handsome equipment — safe and serviceable with a 



* The famous Irish jumper "Distiller" was notorious among 

 many other good fencers as a bungler on the road, though he 

 would jump a six-foot-six stone wall with ease, sporting two large 

 broken knees in consequence of his performance in that line ; and 

 in fencing he was also first-rate. 



