ADJUSTMENT OF THE BRIDLE. 97 



tingale after removing the rings of the latter and 

 then by bringing them through the rings of the snaffle 

 up to the rider's hands. This combines the effects of 

 the martingale and of the running reins. 



With a star-gazer that pulls hard, we may use the 

 running martingale on the curb reins. 



As far as appearances go, a double bridle, with a 

 noseband, is the best to set off a horse with a plain 

 head ; and a Pelham by far the worst. A handsome 

 blood-like head looks best through a snaffle. 



Adjustment of the Bridle. The snaffle should be placed 

 low enough in the mouth to just avoid wrinkling its corners. 



Before putting on a double bridle, the bridoon (snaf- 

 fle) should be placed over the mouthpiece of the curb, 

 which, as I have said before, should be just clear of the 

 tushes of the horse, or an inch above the corner nippers 

 of the mare ; in fact, as low as possible without 

 incurring the risk of the curb chain falling over the chin. 



The curb chain should pass outside of the snaffle, and 

 should be of such a length that it may lie flat and 

 even against the chin groove, with a certain amount 

 of play. The last links, on both sides, should be, first 

 of all, respectively attached to the curb hooks on 

 each side, and then the slack part should be taken up 

 at equal lengths on both hooks, so that the small 

 ring, through which the lips trap passes, may be equally 

 distant from each of them, and that the shape of 

 the curb chain may be the same on both sides of that 

 part of the jaw against which it presses. The looser the 

 curb chain, the less severe will the bit be. 



A lipstrap should always be used with a curb, for, in 



G 



