64 BRIDLES AND BRIDLING. 



of Mr. Baucber fixes that, that is, it so far fixes it as to 

 entirely prevent the rear, if you desire to do so. I have 

 no particular objection to a rear myself, when I can con- 

 trol the hind legs, knowing in that case there is not any 

 danger; from an unbroken horse only is a rear dangerous. 



4th. Bridling. Gentleman patiently waiting for his 

 horse, getting a little out of patience; wanting to know 

 what is the matter, and why he has to wait so long, he 

 steps into the stable and finds his horse and groom hav- 

 ing an interesting little fight over the process of bridling. 

 The groom holds up the bit to the horse's mouth, and he 

 keeps it shut tight, and no pushing of the same up against 

 his teeth has the least effect ; just as likely the animal is 

 probably getting a few welts over the head with a broom- 

 handle or some other equally pernicious instrument. You 

 stop him, and say, "If you do that again you leave my 

 service," and tell him to look at you. Then hold the bit to 

 his teeth with your right hand, holding bridle at top of it, 

 near top of his head, and with left hand you press the lip 

 over on the tush, just lightly, or as hard as necessary to 

 make him open. It will hurt him just a little, and he 

 will open his mouth wide enough to admit twenty bits if 

 you wanted to put them in; and so ends that fight, as all 

 others will, with a little knowledge how to cure them. 



Whilst on bits, I will merely state that Baucher's curb is 

 a little longer than it should be for common road pur- 

 poses; for him it was no doubt exactly right, with his 

 delicate touch and appreciative experience, and using 

 them for manage training, and understanding all about 

 the power on the horse's jaw of such a lever, which in 

 the hands of an ordinary horseman might be dangerous 

 to himself and hurtful to the animal. For be it understood 

 that the horse's mouth should be kept so comfortable as 

 not to occasion any resistance to the bit, but to obey its 



