BRIDLING 



In the army, and in all places where riding-school 

 instruction is given, "bridling" is thoroughly 

 understood and taught. But in hunting circles 

 it is looked upon as unnecessary. I do not 

 mean that it is universally neglected, because 

 there are many hunting men who do realize its 

 importance, but I think it is an undoubted fact 

 that a very preponderating majority of hunting 

 people disregard this important side of horseman- 

 ship. If we ride to the meet on a horse that 

 bridles well and is balanced in all his paces, we 

 are called faddists. The general tendency is to 

 laugh at those who train their horses to balance, 

 bridle and bend, as being obsessed by the foolish 

 dictums of the riding master, and wasting their 

 time in " circus " tricks and fanciful haute ecole. 

 The horse is described as " peacocky," and the 

 rider as unpractical and un-English. 



Public opinion is so strong that many young 

 men who have experienced the pleasures of riding 

 a balanced horse, and who would like to continue 

 doing so, give it up when riding to hounds, and 

 actually fear to be seen making a horse bridle in 

 the hunting field. It is a good many years ago 



105 



