128 THE HORSE AND HIS EIDER. 



in going tlirougli deep ground the latter is absolutely 

 necessary to enable the rider, by holding his horse together, 

 not only to prevent him from extending himself — in which 

 attitude his hind feet would overreach his fore ones before 

 they could be extricated from the sub-soil — but to stop 

 him quickly, for instance to pop through a gap on either 

 side, which he would otherwise override for a considerable 

 distance. 



To leap over the hedge of a plantation full of trees 

 on a hot horse, with only a snaffle-bit in his mouth, 

 would be dangerous, and often impracticable; whereas 

 it might easily be effected with a curb-bit, by which 

 the animal could moreover be made to ascend a steep 

 narrow bank, creep along it, and then jump off it, 

 over perhaps the only practicable point in the fence 

 beyond it. 



The shape, make, and leverage of bits of all descrip- 

 tions of course depend on the mouth and disposition of 

 the particular animal for which they are required. 



It may, however, be generally stated that for all horses 

 a plain snaffle is better than a twisted one ; and that of 

 curb-bits, those are the best which give to the rider the 

 maximum of mechanical power, with, to the noble animal 

 beneath him, the minimum of pain. 



To a war horse, as well as to his rider, it may be 

 immaterial whether he be infuriated by spurs pricking 



