THE PRIMER. I I 



Of course, I should prefer to have a saddle 

 from one of the three or four London saddlers 

 with deserved reputations ; but it is not always 

 convenient to take a horse to London, and one 

 can ride very comfortably in a provincial or a 

 foreign saddle if there is a good tree for a 

 foundation. I am now speaking of cross-saddles 

 only; for a good side-saddle cannot be had out 

 of London. 



The stirrups should be strongly made of the 

 best steel (one must not risk being caught by 

 a bent iron), and large enough to permit the foot 

 to have play, but not so large that the foot may 

 slip all the way through. 



The double bridle, with curb bit and snaffle, may 

 not be a perfect arrangement, but it is the best that 

 has yet been devised for controlling the horse. 



With the snaffle, the rider can elevate, depress, 

 and bend the head of the horse ; and the curb bit 

 insures that its powers shall be applied to the bare 

 bars of the horse's mouth where they have the 

 greatest effect. There should never be tensions 

 upon the reins of both the snaffle and the curb bit 

 at the same time. When there is a tension upon 

 the reins of one bit, the other should not be in 

 action. For example, if in riding with the curb bit 

 it should become necessary to use the snaffle to 



