30 THE BRIDLE BITS. 



less common in the stable than in the social circle, where 

 the girl or the boy at a certain age has some means of 

 defeuce from undue jmrental coercion and restraint, but 

 wherever they go they are apt to carry in their expression 

 that peculiar and unmistakable hang-dog lip and cheek 

 as evidence of sulk and dissatisfaction incident to cuffing 

 and scolding, forced obedience, and consequently unhappy 

 homes, like the Mexican ass. Forcing compliance in 

 either man or beast, is done under protest of the forced, 

 at every step, rather than through a spirit of cheerful 

 compliance, fostered by that kind and gentle treatment 

 to which the domestic animal will always yield. The 

 child that is scolded, the dog that is whipped and kicked, 

 the woman who has an irritable, nervous crank to please, 

 and the horse that is chucked, are alike ruined in such 

 moulding of their tempers and dispositions. Persons 

 thus persecuted have two faces — one for the house and 

 the other for the street. The house face prevails, because 

 it is most used. 



THE SADDLE-HORSE* 



If the reader has a fancy for the saddle, we would like 

 to have him understand that the saddle-horse's mouth 

 is, or should be, very sensitive to the guiding touch of 

 the reins, while it should resist the straight pull in being 

 lifted at the leap. This strain should come on the bit 

 from both reins equally, to insure which the reins must 

 be held in only one hand, and that the left, assisted, if re- 

 required, by tlie right or whip hand. The best bit for 

 this purpose is the plain snaffle. Being simple in its 

 operation, it is less apt to confuse a horse than any other 

 bit used in riding. If held by expert hands, it is not so 

 apt as others to give uncertain signals and cause the 

 horse to make mistakes at critical moments, when it is 

 out of his or his rider's power to rectify them. The 

 voice of the rider and not the bit should have a 2:eneral 



