FIRST-HAND BITS OF STABLE LORE 



the tongue in place; if he "lugs" on one rein, or 

 has a habit of lunging, sidling, or wheeling either 

 way, apply a bristle burr until he gives it up, an 

 instrument which, contrary to the S. P. C. A., is 

 neither cruel nor used to " make horses prance " 

 and " foam at the mouth," but to keep them out 

 of shop windows, off sidewalks, and on all-fours, 

 and is a most useful and necessary adjunct to the 

 proper bitting of many horses ; uncomfortable, 

 yes, but cruel, never, nor will its steady use 

 cause even an abrasion. The demonstrations 

 of the S. P. C. A., and certain old women, 

 against these contrivances cause much merri- 

 ment among all practical horsemen who use, 

 always have used, and always will use them 

 when "necessary," but "no longer and not 

 otherwise;" in fact, it is only exceptional cases 

 that require them. 



Every puller is made, none was ever " born 

 so," and every such horse has some reason for his 

 bad mouth, and some one arrangement of bit and 

 bridle that will suit him, it is for his intelligent 

 owner, given certain fundamental principles, to 

 learn the one and to provide the other. Sharp 

 teeth are a frequent cause of trouble, and every 

 master should see to it that his stud is inspected 



