224 HACKS AND HUNTERS 



sire of the rider. It consists of a mouthpiece, a cheek- 

 piece to which are attached two sets of rings for the 

 bit and bridoon reins. The Pelham is usually splendid 

 for a horse who does not like the feel of two bits in 

 his mouth, who will not face a curb, or carries an exces- 

 sively high head. In using it, only one set of reins 

 must be drawn taut at a time, either the bridoon or 

 the bit. For were both to be felt, the mouthpiece would 

 be drawn up too high in the horse's mouth and be in 

 an incorrect position. 



The Pelham may either have a plain straight bar 

 mouthpiece, a curved half-moon mouthpiece, a 

 " broken" or jointed mouthpiece, or one with a very 

 slight port like the Hartwell Pelham. All of which 

 are extremely useful on horses with very delicate 

 mouths. 



Although, as a general rule, severe bits are a mis- 

 take, there is one bit which in the hand of an ex- 

 perienced rider is very effective. The French bridle, 

 used largely by Mr. F. V. Gooch, has a bit with a 

 high port, in which are placed rollers. These act some- 

 thing like a " mouthing" bit, and cause the horse to 

 play with them, thereby flexing his neck automatically 

 and without any pressure from the reins. It is so 

 severe, however, that it should only be used on a per- 

 fectly made hack by a very finished rider. Its very 

 severity would prevent its being used on a bad actor, 

 for scarcely any pressure could be applied without al- 

 most throwing the horse. If a martingale is used with 

 this bit, it should be of round instead of flat leather, 

 so as to be in accordance with the French style. 



Such Pelhams as the Stourton, which has a high half- 

 hinged port, or the Hanovarian, with or without rollers, 

 are too severe for all ordinary purposes. As a general 



