184 BITS AND BITTING. 



and more or less so with, the hinge one. From the 

 riding-school point of view, jointed bits are altogether 

 objectionable ; from the military one they are scarcely 

 admissible, although the Prussian light cavalry adheres 

 to their use. For road-riding and hunting purposes the 

 well-known Pelham is in great favour ; and as there 

 must be some ground for this, it is worth while in- 

 quiring into. 



The great argument in favour of the Pelham is, that 

 the upper pair of reins give you the action of a snaffle 

 which is, however, not quite correct, but let it pass 

 whilst the lower pair afford that of a curb-bit, as the 

 expression is. To this latter we must oppose a decided 

 negative, for two reasons : first, because the action that 

 results is that of a pincer, as shown above ; and, 

 secondly, because if the dimensions of the upper and 

 lower cheeks of our unjointed bits are very irregular and 

 generally much exaggerated, they are, in the case of the 

 Pelham, simply monstrous, so that the curb is invari- 

 ably dragged right up out of the chin-groove, and on to 

 the most sensitive part of the under-jaw, the effects of 

 which we have so frequently pointed out. No doubt 

 the Pelham will produce "painful action" enough, and 

 so far those whose ideas go no further as regards the 

 unjointed bit are justified in making a comparison ; but 

 a painful action exerted in a wrong or even uncertain 

 direction is certainly a mistake. 



If we had to address ourselves exclusively to really 

 good and intelligent riders we would say what they 

 are themselves perfectly aware of, With your steady 

 seat, and light hand resulting therefrom, you have more 

 perfect command over your horses with a well-constructed 

 snaffle than with any Pelham. Your very conviction 



