HINTS ON HORSEMANSHIP. 69 



tion will incline a horse to take his right leg, and, on the side 

 of a steep hill, he can scarcely avoid doing so. 



To give the bit its most powerful action, it should be placed 

 so low as only just to clear the tusks in a horse's mouth, and 

 to be one inch above the corner teeth in a mare's mouth. 

 The curb-chain should be so tiorht as not to admit of more 

 than one finger between it and the chin. These rules are 

 simple, and should be attended to by all riders, ladies as well 

 as gentlemen, for no groom knows how to bit a horse ; and 

 a horseman should no more mount with his bit improperly 

 placed, than a seaman set sail with his rudder out of order. 



A twitch round the lower jaw, under the tongue, on the 

 bars or bare parts of the mouth, is perhaps the most certain, 

 powerful, and severe instrument to hold a horse with, and it 

 may be tightened till it becomes a dreadful implement of 

 torture. Next to this is what is called the dealer's halter ; 

 which is merely a narrow thong of leather in like manner tied 

 round the lower jaw, under the tongue, but incapable of being 



