264 ON THE PACES, AND 



The Snaffle, it is remarkable, ufed to be for- 

 merly reckoned one of their feverefl bits ; at 

 prefent, it generally fignifies a mild one ; al- 

 though, it is true, we have hard andjliarp ones 

 for fome horfes, the benefit of which is very 

 problematical. The check, is a cord in the 

 place of the curb-chain, which comprefles the 

 under jaw, and is intended for a hard-pulling 

 horfe. This is chiefly in ufe upon the courfe. 

 In fwift action, whether indeed it be gallop or 

 trot, the horfe mult have the free ufe and ex- 

 tenfion of his neck and head. In a gallop, the 

 curb lifts a horfe up too much, and befides, he 

 cannot pull fairly and well againft it. 



Our general practice of breaking colts with 

 large and mild bits, is highly rational ; and if. 

 fharp bits, of all kinds, were entirely excluded 

 from our equeftrian fyftem, the change, in my 

 opinion, would be full as much in favour of 

 our own convenience, as of the feelings of the 

 animal. If the mouth of a horfe be already 

 too hard, fuch rigorous means will furely never 

 contribute to foften it. 



The martingale, was invented two or 

 three centuries pair, by Evangelifta, a cele- 

 brated Profeffor of Horfemanihip, at Milan. 

 Its utility, in colt-breaking, is unqueftionable. 

 The running-martingale, only, is fafe to ride 

 with upon the road, and many people even 

 hunt, and take their leaps with them. It is 



fcarce 



