136 POLO PONY GEAR. [Chap. VI. 



before the right one is found. The bridle which I find 

 most useful, in all ordinary cases, is a bit and bridoon, 

 heavy and smooth, with a sliding bar and a low port 

 (Fig. 55). It is commonly called a '' Ward Union 

 Bridle." Care should be taken that its mouthpiece is 

 not too narrow ; for the animal's lips are more apt to be 

 pinched by a sliding bar than by a fixed mouthpiece. 

 Large leather cheek-pieces (Fig. 54) are as a rule 





C^LIBI '^l '51 '()! '7i '8IJ91 



Fig, 56. — Short cheek Curb bit. 



advisable. The length of the lower arm of the 

 cheek-piece of the bit may vary from 3 to 6 inches ; 

 that of the upper arm should not exceed i ^ inches. In 

 almost every bridle, the upper arm of the cheek-piece 

 is made too long, the effect of which is that the curb 

 chain when tightened, is pressed against the sharp edges 

 of the lower jaw, instead of lying in the chin groove, 

 as it will do if the upper arm of the cheek-piece is 

 short (Figs. 56 and 57). The height of the port 

 should be about i yi inches as a maximum ; and the 



