94 Centatjr ; 



As regards the bridle, the least complicated and easiest 

 for the horse in business or pleasure is the '^Snaffle/' which 

 simple bit can be made more eflfective in the hands of an 

 experienced horseman than the most expensive " Wey- 

 mouth '' when used by a heavy-handed amateur. The 

 *' Snaffle" consists of a single head, single rein, and single 

 bit, which is invariably used for racing over turf, allowing 

 as it does, the full stretch of the horse's neck. For general 

 business the " Pelham " is used, consisting of single head, 

 single bit, and double rein. For hunting and military pur- 

 poses the " Weymouth " bridle is adopted, which embraces 

 double head, double reins, double bits and curb, in the use 

 of which great judgment and feeling are required, on 

 account of the excessive leverage on the curb bit. The 

 Author does not agree with twisted, jointed, port-mouthed, 

 or complicated bits, unless applied under the advice of a 

 practical man, and in any case objects to the high-port"* or 

 gag bit. The bridle should be adjusted so as to fit easih', 

 and the cheeks should be regulated according to the carriage 

 of the bit in the mouth. The throat-band should have fair 

 or easy pla}^ just being sufficiently tight to keep the bridle 

 in position without danger of being thrown ofi" b}'' the horse 

 jerking his head up or down. All extra trappings or super- 

 fluities should be adjusted with equal judgment, so as not to 

 chafe the horse, or risk the rider's life. 



Shakespeare says — *' What wound did ever heal but by 

 degrees," which well applies to the use and abuse of spurs. 

 Many indifferent horsemen seem to think that spurs were 

 invented for the special purpose of holding on by, and have 

 come to grief accordingly ; but not until the horse has been 

 unnecessarily punished by having its sides gored and gashed 

 several inches, very often causing blood to trickle freely 

 down. 



The cruel spurs and gag-bit were not known in early 

 days, as we learn by the fresco representations of the Par- 

 thenon at Athens ; the horse being guided by a word or 

 movement of the hand of the rider, the same, in many 

 respects, as are our cart-horses of the present day. The 

 amateur horseman should by no means wear spurs until he 

 can sit a horse properly, and has become perfectly familiar 

 with the real use of them. The military horseman rarely 

 touches the skin with the spurs, yet he can guide (or ease) 



* SSee Illublration. 



