Stable Vices. 87 



mouth, to take the pressure off his tongue. In addition 

 to this there are the Chain-snaffle, which is a very light bit, 

 and the Gag, used for horses that get their heads down. 



The Curb-bit is a lever that, by means of a curb-chain, 

 acts upon the lower jaw, and may be made very easy or 

 very severe according to the length of cheek or leverage, 

 and the height of the port or arch in the centre of the 

 mouth-piece. It is very seldom used singly, but in con- 

 junction with some kind of snaffle, when it forms a double- 

 rein bridle, and is by far the most useful bit. All horses 

 go better in it, when properly handled, than in any other, 

 as by lengthening or shortening the curb-chain, and taking 

 up or dropping the bit in the mouth, it can be made either 

 less or more severe, to suit most horses. 



The Pelham is a curb and snaffle in one ; it is a curb- 

 bit with a joint in the middle, instead of a port. It forms 

 a double-rein bridle, and is very light and easy. 



The Hanoverian is of the same description, but with a 

 port and a joint at each side of it. The mouth-piece is 

 covered with small rollers. This forms a double-rein bridle 

 of great power and severity, requiring great care and judg- 

 ment. 



Like saddles, the bridles should be of first-rate material 

 and workmanship ; the bits sewn on to the head-pieces 

 and reins, as being much neater and lighter than the 

 buckles. The leather must be kept clean and pliable with 

 soft soap, and the bits clean and bright with silver-sand 

 and oil. Price of a snaffle bridle about 2os., and of a 

 double-rein bridle 2%s. to 30^., according to the sort of 

 bit required. 



Harnessing and Putting-to. 



Harnessing, In all cases the first thing to be done, after 

 the horse is dressed, is to put on the collar, which is effected 

 by turning the horse round in his stall, and slipping it over 

 his head, with the large end upwards. This inversion is 

 required because the front of the head is the widest part, 

 and is in this way adapted to the widest part of the collar, 

 which, even with this arrangement, will in coarsely-bred 



