THE SADDLE AND BRIDLE. 91 



up, it will be easy to ascertain whether the chain 

 pinches. If, when the reins are tightened, the 

 bit stands stiff and immovable, it will show that 

 the chain is too short and needs to be length- 

 ened a link or two. If the horse gently yields 

 his head to the tightening of the reins, without 

 suddenly drawing back, or thrusting out his 

 nose as the tension is increased, it will prove 

 that the bit is correctly placed. But if the 

 lower bars of the bit can be drawn back quite 

 a distance before the horse will yield to the pull 

 of the reins, then the chain is too long, and 

 should be shortened. " Lightness, accuracy, 

 easy motion, a total absence of stiffness, con- 

 straint, or painful action, are the characteristics 

 of good bitting ; and if these be attained, 

 ready obedience to the rider's hand will . be the 

 result." — F. Dwyer, 



When the bit has once been correctly ad- 

 justed to the head -stall and to the horse's 

 mouth, there will be little difficulty in bridling 

 him upon any subsequent occasion. Thus : 

 standing at the left of the horse's head, the 

 head-stall, held by its upper part in the right 

 hand, should be lifted up in front of the horse's 

 head, while the left hand, holding the bit by its 

 mouth-piece, should put this between the an- 

 imal's lips, press it against his teeth, and into his 



