THE CAVESSON, SNAFFLE, ETC. 157 



altering either buckle or strap, or even halting the horse 

 if in motion. 



As a general rule, when a horse has been once pro- 

 perly broken in and bitted, it should not require any 

 contrivances of the sort : its use being continued after a 

 certain period is an evidence of something being wrong. 

 Sometimes this is incapable of remedy, being a con- 

 sequence of some peculiarity in the animal's build, and 

 then there is no help for it ; but a good running-rein , 

 possessing the qualities mentioned above, affords very 

 frequently most valuable aid in the first handling, and 

 will, if judiciously used, save the rider a great deal of 

 trouble, the horse an equal quantity of ill-usage, and. 

 finally, simplify all questions of bits and bitting in a 

 wonderful manner. 



The best of all these contrivances hitherto invented 

 is perhaps that known under the name of Seeger's 

 running-reins (Schleif-Ziigel), being perfectly simple, 

 safe, and applicable to all styles of riding. M. Seeger, 

 the justly celebrated riding-master at Berlin, and un- 

 doubtedly at the head of his profession in Europe, first 

 brought it forward. It consists of three distinct pieces, 

 the chin-strap, the running-rein, and the martingale. 

 The chin-strap consists of a leather curb furnished at 

 each end with a small buckle and strap, by means of 

 which it is attached to the cheek-rings of the snaffle 

 or bridoon, the entire length, including the buckles, to 

 be 6 inches ; these latter, when covered with leather, 

 just wide enough to admit a strap 4^ inches wide, 

 and 2^ long, projecting over the buckle, behind which 

 it is sewed on to the body of the curb. This curb 

 carries a rounded strap in rear, supporting an ivory ring 

 which may have an internal diameter of somewhat 



