Cross- Country Riding. 49 



cruel bits of variable intensity cause nervous 

 horses to degenerate into plungers, bolters, and 

 pullers. While the Pelham, Chifney, and Whit- 

 man bits are popular, the plain port curb and 

 Bridoon (snaffle) is the most serviceable and 

 humane, and is best for both horse and rider. 



The constant or too frequent use of spurs will 

 deaden the sensibility of the horse; they should 

 be almost entirely for ornament, and seldom, if 

 ever, used. However, they are like the ''pistol in 

 Texas." 



If the horse is backing into another horse or 

 into an obstacle and danger threatens which can 

 be avoided by quick action, then they are ex- 

 cusable, but never as a means of punishment or 

 to rally a flagging horse, as long as the crop is 

 at hand. 



If rowels are used, they should have the points 

 filed off. 



Never ride with a slack rein — it makes a 

 horse careless, lazy, and indifferent to his gaits 

 and manners, and may be the means of ''entering 

 him" to prayer. A tight rein is equally as bad, 

 as the steady, constant pull makes pullers of 

 horses that would otherwise have very "genteel 

 mouths." 



In ascending hills and steep banks, take a 

 winding, or zigzag, course; in descending go 

 straight down — if the horse should slip he can 



