78 HORSES 



reasonable bridles, and may suit some horses, but 

 1 think they are of most value to men with bad 

 *^ hands," and those who are conscious of their de- 

 fects in this respect would do well to make more 

 use of them. 



I am supposing you know what a gag is, but I 

 believe many people who ride with it do not realise 

 that they can exert nearly double the power with 

 the reins, and should therefore use their strength 

 with mercy. 



This brings us to a consideration of the double- 

 rein curb and snaffle, w^hich is, in my estimation, 

 the nearest thing to perfection in bridles that has 

 been invented. I have, however, already said that 

 it is not a bridle for the inexperienced horseman or 

 the heavy-fisted, and these had better content them- 

 selves with using the single-rein snaffle. 



The curb is of very little value without a nose- 

 band, but it must be neither too tight nor too loose. 

 The horse that tries to get the advantage of you 

 either opens his mouth very wide or keeps it tightly 

 shut, and you must therefore fix your noseband so 

 that he can move his jaws comfortably without 

 opening them too much. The action of the curb 

 makes the horse open his mouth, and you should 

 then play lightly with the snaffle. 



Take care that the noseband is not too low, or it 

 will nip the corners of the mouth between it and 

 the bridle, thereby causing a sore place which will 

 irritate the horse. 



The cheek of the bit should be of fair length 



