3o6 The Book of the Hokse. 



" In my opinion there is no greater mistake than the military nummah, which, soaked 

 with sweat, keeps the horse's back in a perpetual poultice, and is the direct cause of tender 

 skins and sore backs." 



When, from the formation of a horse's barrel or from his being over-fat, the saddle slips 

 forward, it will be found a good plan to put on the girths crosswise, each being buckled to the 

 strap not opposite, the point strap to the strap near the cantle, and z'ice versa. But as a rule 

 the proper plan for fixing the girths is in the middle of the saddle. But no mode of girthing 

 will keep a saddle in its place that does not fit the horse. 



Over-tight girthing has ruined the temper of many good horses, and killed many men — 

 horses should be girthed by degrees — first in the stable, then before the owner mounts, finally, 

 if necessary, when the horse has emptied himself after travelling a few miles. 



Never let a groom show his strength and temper by over-girthing a horse. 



A steel spring that would give and contract as the horse's belly shrinks, would be a 

 useful addition to girths, especially for ladies' horses. 



The saddle in the centre of the horse's back, the girths and the rider in the centre of the 

 saddle, are sound maxims. 



Saddles for country use or on journeys, as well as hunting, should have breast-plates ; 

 with a breast-plate it is not necessary to draw the girths so tight. All side-saddles should 

 have breast-plates. The most expensive are of two pieces of leather sewn double ; those made 

 of a single strap look quite as well if broad enough, if not better, and are less costly. 



Cruppers are not now used except for cavalry and police saddles, but those who propose 

 to travel in foreign countries, where the horses are small and badly shouldered, should have 

 their saddles furnished with cruppers as well as breast-plates. 



BRIDLES AND BITS. 



The bridle is the instrument for guiding, restraining, and stopping a horse. 



The most important part of the bridle is the bit. A bit, whether for riding or driving, 

 should be of such a shape and dimensions, and fitted on in such a manner as to control a 

 horse with the least possible effort of the rider or driver. These essentials may be obtained 

 in the highest degree without irritating the animal. Unfortunately, from sheer carelessness 

 and ignorance, a great deal of cruelty is daily practised on the horses of the higher and 

 richer classes, in the way of ill-proportioned, ill-shaped, extravagantly large, heavy, and misfitting 

 bits, which, drawn tight by bearing-reins on the gag principle, convert them into instruments 

 of torture, cultivate vice and create unsoundness. 



The names of bits are legion, but they are constructed cither on the principle of the 

 snaffle or the curb, or on a combination of both. 



The collection of bits and bridles at page 307 and page 309 represent nearly all the 

 patterns in common use for riding. 



THE SNAFFLE OR BRIDOON BIT 



Is the simplest and oldest form of bit, and was probably originally, as it is still with the 

 North American Indians, only a bit of wood. 



The ordinary snaffle for use without any other bit is jointed with two checks like No. 4. 

 It is the exception when a riding-horse goes comfortably, and carries himself properly as a 

 hack in a single snaffle-bridle. 



