120 THE BRIDLE BITS. 



The curb at F, the check at A, and the rein at B, C, 

 I) or E, neutralize each other's action in proportion to 

 the way the horse carries his head, and the slot the rein 

 is in ; consequently a hard pull, instead of a mere hint, 

 is necessary and to which the horse should not be trained. 

 Two reins j^ulling together at the same time and from 

 different directions on the same bit is not only at yari- 

 ance with all rules of equestrian skill and equine manage- 

 ment, but is a yiolation of principle in either moral or 

 physical guidance, and, in the goyernment of men or 

 families, mutiny is the consequence. There is only one 

 helm necessary to steer the ship, and, indeed, less force 

 than is used in holdinsr some horses. Almost eyery man 

 we see behind from one to four horses uses both hands 

 with the reins. This, with a single horse, causes an im- 

 perceptible sawing or unsteady action of the bit in the 

 mouth, occasioned by the motion of the body as the 

 yehicle jolts, which, although perhaps not known to the 

 driver, neyertheless exists, and is so keenly felt by the 

 sensitiye mouth that it keeps the horse on the watch all 

 the time to know what it means and what he is to do 

 next. It may be argued that a horse should not haye 

 such a sensitiye mouth ; this as you please — you can take 

 your choice. 



If the reins are on C, D or E, they work the curb, so 

 that there are three different operations of the bit going 

 on at the same time on the mouth — namely, the curb, the 

 check rein and the driving rein. We will allow that to 

 get up style in the horse these three are necessary, and if 

 so, the horse should be trained to the most delicate hint 

 from either one. The constant strain of the check rein 

 at the rings that the rein is fast to, operates like a twitch 

 on some horses not well set up for harness ; it dissipates 

 the sensitiyeness of the mouth, and a delicate touch of 

 the reins is not so keenly felt, and a check or hard pull 

 follows. These errors in driying are on the same prin- 



