112 THE BARE AND THE BKIDLE. 



no tighter than just to keep it in place, for which a good lip strap 

 should be used, and the curb chain fitted so as to admit the play of 

 quite two fingers between it and the horse's jaw. In placing the 

 reins, the master should see that the greater appui is on the snaffle, 

 and that after the pupil closes her hands upon the reins she does not 

 shift her hold of them in the slightest degree. Having now four 

 reins instead of two as formerly, there will be a tendency to " fidget " 

 with them, or obtain a better hold. This must instantly be corrected 

 if it occurs, otherwise ten to one but the lady gets the cm-b rein too 

 short, and pulls her horse on his fence. At the same time there 

 should be no slack curb rein hanging down, but it should be of such 

 length that, on landing, the horse can just feel the action of the 

 curb, and the reason for this is obvious. In school all leaping may 

 be accomplished on the snaffle ; but in the hunting field it is far 

 otherwise. In deep groimd a horse requires holding together, and 

 no lady could do this with a snaffle bridle. And, again, in a long 

 rim, when a horse has been severely called on, he may make a 

 blunder on landing from a drop m a bit of boggy ground, in which 

 case the curb rein is necessary in aid of the snaffle. As, therefore, 

 it is in the school that the pupil should be prepared for every out- 

 door eventuality, riding over her fences with both curb and snaffle 

 must be practised ; and, finally, over a small jump she must be 

 taught to ride with the curb alone. 



