82 Curb, Snaffle, and Spur. 



turned so that the thumb points towards the 

 ground over the left shoulder of the horse ; this 

 gives a direct tension upon the left curb-rein. 

 The hand should then be carried to the left, so 

 that the right curb- rein takes a tension against 

 the right side of the horse's neck, which will give 

 an indication similar in effect to that made by the 

 direct tension upon the left curb-rein. When the 

 chano^e of direction has been effected, the hand 

 should be placed in position, and an even tension 

 taken upon the two curb-reins. 



By a little practice, the horse may be taught to 

 elevate or to depress the head by means of the 

 curb-reins in exactly the same manner as with 

 the snafffe-reins ; and this practice is essential, as 

 a thoroughly trained horse should be managed 

 by the curb-bit independently of the snaffle, 

 although it is always safe to have the latter, in 

 case, through lack of discipline, the horse fails to 

 obey the curb-bit in the points where its effects 

 are the weakest. 



I wish to say here that I have never seen a 

 " combination bit " that could supply the place 

 of curb and snaffle. To properly control the 

 saddle-horse, one must have the effects of the 



