CHAPTER VIII 



DRESS AND EQUIPMENT 



THERE Is no doubt that to have a horse 

 properly bitted Is a great step towards 

 riding him with safety and comfort. Yet It Is 

 one of those subjects on which It Is Impossible 

 to lay down rules, for the best bit to use with 

 any given horse depends on the temper of the 

 horse, his conformation, and on the hands and 

 nerve of the rider. Horses pull for various 

 reasons. Some pull because their heads and 

 necks being badly put on, they cannot help 

 doing so ; others pull because they are nervous 

 and excitable ; others again because the bit 

 hurts and the heavy hand of the rider worries 

 them. Nearly all bold, free horses catch hold 

 a bit when they are fresh, and when hounds 

 first come away from covert. 



For hunting purposes there are three kinds 

 of horses with which I would have nothing" to 



