50 



THE BEIDLE BITS. 



of the horse his leader rides. The difference in the two 

 dispositions, so opposite in their nature, is by no means 

 an indication of their respectiyc abilities ; for some of 



Fig. 14.— LEADING THE RIDING HORSE. 



our fastest horses are naturally lazy and don't lead or go 

 freely, requiring the whip or spur to keep them up to 

 their work, while the free and high mettled are nowhere 

 in the race ; yet we prefer the latter for pleasure and the 

 former for profit. The horse that leads well, and runs 



Fig. 15.— LEADING THE SADDLE HORSE. 



well up to the bit, has the first element of a good and 

 pleasant saddle-horse, and is a good subject for the snaffle 

 bit (fig. 7), which the beginner should learn to handle 

 well before he uses the 



PELHAM BIT. 



The Pelham riding bit has a joint between the bars, 

 like the snaffle, and is used with double reins. The joint, 

 however, is more of a hinge than a loop joint, like that 



