SADDLES AND BRIDLES 219 



horses are kept, a various assortment of bits and bridles 

 may be needed to suit the different animals. The 

 proper bit for any horse is that which gives the rider 

 full control over the animal, and enables him to make 

 the horse do exactly what is required of him, and yet 

 accomplishes its purpose with least severity. "The 

 reputation that some people have for good hands is 

 often as much a good head in fitting and adjusting 

 the bit, as in any special delicacy in handling it." 



The first thing to be remembered, however, is that 

 unless the former owner of the horse has recommended 

 some particular type of bit in which the animal goes 

 well, on general principles the simplest bit should 

 always be tried first. For a hunter a plain snaffle or 

 a Weymouth double bridle; for a hack a Weymouth 

 or a simple Pelham. It is not until one has tried all 

 the simpler forms of bits, and has failed, that severe 

 or complicated bits should ever be essayed, and even 

 then only with great care. In nine cases out of ten a 

 horse who would go like a lamb in a simple Weymouth, 

 would act up in a high port. Dealers and grooms are 

 apt to urge owners to collect a large and fancy assort- 

 ment of bits simply to get the commission that they 

 obtain through their purchase. 



Bits may roughly be divided into snaffles, curbs, 

 and Pelhams. The simplest and least severe of .these 

 is the plain, ring snaffle, which is distinctly an undress 

 bit, suited for exercising, and excellent for many 

 hunters, especially for the inexperienced horseman, as 

 with it he has little chance of interfering with the 

 animal's mouth. It may be true,, that only one horse 

 in a thousand goes well in a snaffle, but it is equally 

 true that only one person in ten has good enough hands 

 to use a double bridle properly. 





