4 EQUITATION. 



it should never touch the tusk, or it will fret the 

 horse. 



The reins should be soft, flexible, and of a good 

 quality, therein which is attached to the curb-bit 

 is usually fastened in the centre by a sewing, while 

 that attached to the snaffle may be known, by its 

 having a small buckle in the centre. 



Throat' strap should not be buckled too tightly, 

 but only sufficiently so, to prevent the headstalls 

 of the bridle, from getting out of place. 



Martingales, though frequently used, are very 

 seldom necessary if the horse has been educated, 

 and taught to carry his head properly, and to be 

 obedient to the hit ; but if a horse carries his head 

 high/ or be unsteady and fretful, then a light run- 

 ning martingale will be found of service ; it must 

 however be attached to the snaffle reins, and never 

 to the curb-bit reins. 



The saddle should be roomy, but not too large, 

 it should in short, be made to fit the person. The 

 third crutch is indispensable, as it renders the seat 

 so much more, secure, and if properly fitted, it never 

 incommodes the rider. The saddle should be plac- 

 ed on the horse's back, so as not in the least to in- 

 terfere with the action of the horse's shoulder, and 

 care must be taken that the pad, or stuffing, only 

 rests on the horse's ribs, leaving in the centre a 

 thorough channel, over the spine. 



