268 now TO eide a hokse. 



The Pulley Bkidle can be useful only when it is neces- 

 sary to ride a pig-headed, stiff-necked brute, whose peculiar 

 fancy is for taking the bit between his teeth, and running 

 like mad, without a moment's warning. For ordinary 



Fig. 28— The plain Snaffle-bit. 



use, it acts as a plain snaffle, but, if the horse try to run 

 away with it, a stout pull on the rein which passes 

 through the ends of the bit and over the top of the head, 

 will effectually gag him and bring him to terms. It is 

 much better than the saw-edged, jaw-breaking devices in 

 use in some parts of the world, and, for special uses, it is 

 desirable ; but for a gentleman's saddle-horse it would be 

 absurd, inasmuch as no horse fit for saddle use would at- 

 tempt any prank which Baucher's bit, with its 6-inch lev- 

 erage, would not speedily check. 



Spurs. — The best form of spur is the old-fashioned sort 

 known to the trade as the *' hunting-spur." This sets over 

 the heel, and is fastened by a strap around the instep. The 

 more fashionable form at the present time, is the spur 

 which is either screwed fast to the heel of the boot, or 

 which is fastened to it by a spring which fits into a socket 

 made in the heel. The points of the spur should be filed 



