87 



CHAPTER VIII. 

 On Bitting and Saddling Horses. 



CURBS PELHAMS SNAFFLES RUNNING REINS CHOICE OF A BIT 

 ADJUSTMENT OF THE BRIDLE REINS NOSEBANDS MARTIN- 

 GALES SADDLES SADDLING THE HORSE STIRRUPS GIRTHS 

 SADDLE CLOTHS CLEANING SADDLERY. 



Curbs. The proper method for restraining a horse 

 with any species of bit, is to apply pressure, on some 

 sensitive part, in a direction opposite to that in which he 

 wishes to proceed ; the most convenient spots being the 

 tongue, and the bare spaces of the gums of the lower jaw. 

 Had not nature formed the horse with a certain portion 

 of his gums free from teeth, we could not use bits in the 

 manner we do at present, but would have been forced to 

 depend, for his guidance, on some kind of halter. 



With the snaffle, the force derived from the rider's 

 arms is directly taken by the tongue, gums, or corners 

 of the mouth ; while with the curb, the mechanical prin- 

 ciple of the lever is utilised to increase the power. In it 

 we have the fulcrum or fixed point afforded by the curb 

 chain hooks, the moving power is applied in the direction 

 of the reins, while the resulting pressure falls on the 

 tongue or gums, or on the latter alone, as the case may be. 



There are three ways in which the curb can exert 

 pressure on the horse's mouth 1, by the mouthpiece 

 in a direction opposite to which the animal's head is 

 directed ; 2, by the curb chain on his lower jaw ; 3, by 

 the port, when it presses against his palate. We may 



