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Riding Bridle and Saddle 151 



EQUIPMENT FOR TRAINING A SADDLE HORSE 



The riding bridle. — After teaching the saddle 

 horse the uses of the bit with a common bridle, the 

 riding-bridle should be employed. This bridle is 

 similar to the common bridle except the bit and 

 reins. The bit is similar to a curb-bit with provi- 

 sion for the attachment of two sets of reins, one set 

 to the snaffle, the other to the curb (Fig. 94, 31 to 

 33). Some riders prefer two bridles, one provided 

 with a snaffle, and the other with a curb-bit. It is 

 not considered good practice to use the curb without 

 the snaffle, as the refractory horse may become diffi- 

 cult to control by the former. Before attempting 

 to mount, the horse should be made familiar with the 

 bits, much as suggested in the case of the curb-bit 

 (p. 138). If the horse has a tendency to throw the 

 head upward, the martingale should be used, as the 

 rider is liable to injury. 



The saddle. — There are many makes of saddles, 

 some devised especially for men (Fig. 32, 1 and 2) 

 and others for women (Fig. 32, 3 and 4). A rather 

 light and flexible saddle is preferable to a very heavy 

 and stiff one. The pommel — upward projection 

 in front — and the cantle — upward projection be- 

 hind — should not extend too high, especially for 

 the horse in training. Care should be exercised to 

 see that the saddle fits properly and that the weight 

 is equally distributed. The stirrups and stirrup- 



