LEARNING. 13 



Your horse having been led out, your atten- 

 dant looks to his girthing, &c., as stable 

 servants are not always too particular re- 

 specting these necessary matters. 



The pleasantest bridle in which to ride is a 

 plain ring-snaffle. Few horses will go in it ; 

 but, remember, I am surmising that yours has 

 been properly trained. By riding in this bridle 

 you have complete control over the move- 

 ments of your horse — can, in fact, manage 

 him with one hand, and you have the additional 

 advantage of having fewer leathers to encumber 

 and embarrass your fingers. A beginner is 

 frequently puzzled to distinguish between the 

 curb and the snaffle when riding with a double 

 rein, and mistaking one for the other, or 

 pulling equally at both, is apt to cause the 

 horse much unnecessary irritation. It m 

 lamentable to see the manner in which grown 

 men and women, who ought to know so much 

 better, tug and strain at their horses' mouths 

 with an equal pull upon both reins, when 

 riding, as is the custom, in a bit and bridoon. 

 Perhaps of the two they draw the curb the 

 tighter. It is not meant for cruelty — they do 



