OUR HORSES AND THEIR BRIDLES. 253 



one way and his rider another; the one wants his head, 

 and the other is afraid to let him have it. 



A very prevalent bad practice exists of picking up the 

 reinfl of a severe bit the moment a horse is mounted, for 

 there are few light or hard-mouthed horses that can bear 

 this, whereas by taking up the reins carefully and feel- 

 ing the mouth gradually, a horse will submit to an in- 

 creasing pressure of the hand, without resistance or 

 chafing his temper. 



My opinion strengthened by long practice is that 

 the multitude of mouthing bits commonly used in the 

 training of colts may be very well dispensed with, and 

 that a common snaffle, sometimes with, and sometimes 

 without, a pair of running reins, and these in the hands 

 of a patient though firm individual, with a fair share of 

 common sense, steady hands and seat, on an easy-fitting 

 saddle, and, above all, a thorough knowledge of the 

 horse's nature and capacities, are sufficient for every 

 purpose, in the training of colts for the saddle ; heavy 

 and sharp mouthing bits often chafe a colt's temper, and 

 lacerate his mouth, and this, when healed, becomes 

 callous and deadened, and seriously interferes with his 

 training and future management. 



On the other hand, it is not supposed that colts trained 

 by the most experienced hands will, with a good grace, 

 afterwards submit to be handled by heavy unsteady 

 hands and severe bits, which they are often required to 

 do. Training horses for general purposes and different 

 riders is rarely performed with satisfaction to all parties, 



