42 BRIDLING. 



(especially in the field) with good effect a ring, keeping 

 the oridoon or snaffle-reins under the bend of the neck ; 

 or a better contrivance is a bit of stiff leather three or 

 four inches long, with two D's or staples for the reins 

 to pass through on each side. 



The Chifney Bit is the most suitable for ladies' use, 

 or for timid or invalid riders : it at once brings up a 

 hard-pulling horse, but requires very gentle handling. 

 I have known more than one horse to be quite un- 

 manageable in any but a Chifney bit. 



The more severe bits are those that have the longest 

 legs or cheeks, giving the greatest leverage against the 

 curb. By the addition of deep ports on the mouth- 

 piece of the bit much severity is attained (especially 

 when the port is constructed turned downwards, in place 

 of the usual practice of making it upwards), which can 

 be increased to the utmost by the addition of a tight 

 noseband to prevent the horse from easing the port by 

 movement of his tongue or jaws. 



It is almost needless to observe, that the reverse of 

 the above will be the mildest bits for tender-mouthed, 

 easy-going horses. 



Twisted Mouthpieces are happily now almost out of 

 fashion, and ought to be entirely discountenanced ; 

 their original intention was to command hard-mouthed 

 horses, whose mouths their use can only render 

 harder. 



The Noseband, if tightened, would be found very 

 useful with many a hard-pulling horse in the excitement 

 of hunting, when the bit, which would otherwise require 

 to be used, would only irritate the puller, cause him 

 to go more wildly, and make matters worse. I have 

 known some pullers to be more under control in the 



