86 Stable Vices. 



after which, a little soft soap rubbed on will preserve the 

 leather soft and pliable, and prevent it cracking. 



In choosing a saddle, go to a first-rate maker ; he may 

 be a little more expensive, but you will get a good article, 

 that will wear three times as long as an inferior one, will 

 fit the generality of horses, will never get out of form, and 

 will look well to the last. The price, complete, will be 

 about 6 guineas; that of a side-saddle, about to guineas. 



The Breast-plate or Hunting-plate is used to keep the 

 saddle in its place when hunting. It is also of great service 

 on horses with short back-ribs, to prevent the saddle 

 working back, which it is very likely to do. But on the 

 road and in the field no lady should ride without one, as 

 it will keep the side-saddle securely in its place, and pre- 

 vent it turning round should the girth get loosened, or one 

 break. 



The Martingale is used to steady the horse's head, and 

 keep it in proper place. 



It is generally used on loose weak-necked horses, and 

 though of service in the hands of the experienced, it is 

 often dangerous when used by others, as being apt to catch 

 on the bit or buckles of the bridle, and so cause serious 

 accidents. 



The Bridle. — There is a great variety of bits suitable for 

 different descriptions and tempers of horses, but it is im- 

 possible to describe them all in so limited a space. They 

 all belong to one of two classes — the snaffle or the curb, 

 and are of different degrees of severity and power. 



The Snaffle is a piece of steel with a joint in the middle ; 

 it may be smooth and plain, twisted, or double-jointed. 

 The smooth snaffle is the mildest form of bit there is, and, 

 except just for exercise, few horses ride pleasantly in one. 

 The twisted bit is sharper, and if drawn quickly backwards 

 and forwards through the mouth, is very punishing. The 

 double-jointed is the most severe ; it is formed of two 

 plain snaffles one above the other; but the joints in each 

 not being opposite each other, cause a sharper and more 

 narrow pressure on the tongue and lower jaw. Very few 

 horses ride well and pleasantly in a snaffle of any kind, 

 as they all cause a horse to raise his head and open his 



