64 



THE BRIDLE BITS. 



CHAPTEE V. 



THE CAVALRY BIT-AND-BRIDOON. 



The regulation cavalry bridle, as used in the United 

 States army, has two bits, a curb, two reins and one head- 



Fig. 23. — CAVALRY BIT-AND-BRIDOON. 



stall. The curb bit is the same as that described in the pre- 

 ceding chapter. The bridoon or watering bit has no guards 

 and is used with the curb bit as an auxiliary when the horse 

 is mounted, but is used alone in going out to water. The 

 bridoon has rings and a single loop-joint between the bars, 

 the same as the snaffle. It has four distinct uses : First, 

 that of a watering bridle ; second, for easing the mouth 

 from the curb bit ; third, for certain uses of weapons in 

 action, especially the sword ; fourth, for leaping. But 

 owing to the trouble it gave in changing from the use of 

 one bit to the other and the care of it, it was thrown away 

 by many men in the cavalry service during the war of 

 the rebellion, and then there was no relief from the 



