96 RTDING, DRIVING AND KINDRED SPORTS 



Stop the horse, put it on and ride on the snaffle 

 as much as possible, reserving the curb for 

 emergencies. 



If further power is required, pass the curb- 

 reins through the rings of a running martingale. 

 This gives tremendous leverage, and has the 

 advantage that directly the occasion for it has 

 passed by it need no longer be used. 



A snaffle thick and plain is good, and some 

 few horses go better in it than in anything else ; 

 but it is not so effectual for collectinor a biof, 

 tired horse at the end of the day, and as a rule 

 such horses will go equally well in a short- 

 cheeked double bridle. 



Other bits which are useful, but which re- 

 quire care in handling, are the gag — useful for 

 horses that bore. The chain snaffle, which I 

 used for polo and steeplechase horses in India, 

 I found very good. It is a light bit in light 

 hands, and a severe one if needed. I always 

 used it with double reins, one being passed 

 through the ring of a running martingale. 



Much depends on the way the bridle is put 

 on. The corners of the mouth should not be 

 wrinkled in the least, and the bit should just 

 clear the tushes in horses, or be about two 

 inches above the corner teeth of a mare. 

 Always, without exception, look to see how 

 the bridle is put on ; it is a matter of which 



