38 BEIDLING. 



frightful result Tvhicli is most likely to ensue from its 

 being quickly removed — viz., sore back. With cavalry, 

 saddles are left on for an hour or more after the return 

 from a field-day or march. 



A numna or absorbing sweat-cloth under the saddle 

 is in cases of hard or continued work a great preserva- 

 tive against sore back. 



When an extraordinary day's work has been done, 

 after the horse is cleaned and fed he should be at once 

 bedded down, and left to rest in quiet, interrupted only 

 to be fed. 



BRIDLING. 



Every horseman before he mounts should observe 

 closely whether his horse is properly saddled and 

 bridled. 



Bits must be invariably of wrought steel, and the 

 mouthpiece in all hits should fit the horse's mouth 

 exactly in its width : the bit that is made to fit a six- 

 teen-hands-high is surely too large for a fourteen-hand 

 cob. The bit ought to lie just above the tusk in a 

 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 



* 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. 



