88 THE BRIDLE BITS. 



sliort-legged, for the rider's legs are represented hanging 

 long and limp, and their feet far below the horse's 

 brisket. This is the build of the Eastern horse that the 

 Eomaiis imported and took to England in their numer- 

 ous invasions. If we can judge by these pictures there 

 were yery inferior horses, or yery inferior artists, in those 

 days, compared with those of the present time. But, 

 howeyer that may be, the horses are all represented with 

 their heads well bridled in with arched crests and their 

 chins on their necks, which indicates the nature and 

 power of the bit then in use. Ko doubt that on the fre- 

 (juent invasions of Great Britain bv the Romans, durino^ 

 hundreds of years, many disabled horses were left behind, 

 which the Britain, with his natural propensity and pecu- 

 liar scientific ability was not slow to improve — an advantage 

 which, when combined with good stock to start with, and 

 a genial and favorable climate, contributed to the develop- 

 ment of the English horse as he is to-day, and his pecu- 

 liar abilities have given rise to the national equestrian 

 sports, not equaled in any other land. The Englisli 

 horse is like his countryman — very well while his belly is 

 full, well-shod and cared for, and within convenient dis- 

 tance of feed and water ; but that he can compete with 

 the mustang in lassoing bulls and bears, carrying a man 

 half his weight on his back some twenty leagues a day, 

 without shoes, food or water, fight a mad bull in a bull 

 ring, and run at nearly full speed against a stone wall 

 and stop short without killing himself, we simply deny, 

 without giving any opinion on the subjecc, for opinions 

 and facts have no connection with each other. 



The Eastern bit, therefore, while it is most effective in 

 handling the small, active horses for which it was de- 

 signed, is powerless to take such action and feats out of 

 our English breed of horses, simply on account of their 

 size and weight, and the equine feats peculiar to the 

 British Isles and the Euglish people. Captain Nolan 



