The Horse's Clothes 291 



the bit must be wide enough and as large of mouth- 

 piece as possible commensurate with proper control. 

 The brow-band must be long enough, yet not too 

 long, so as to project away from the forehead. Its 

 edges must be soft and pliant. 



The blinkers should be taken up so that two-thirds 

 of their surface is above the lower line of the 

 eye, being thus more becoming, while at the same 

 time preventing the animal from seeing over them. 

 They should flare widely, and most of them are far 

 too closely confined. 



The bridle, when it is to be put on, should be 

 quietly held up by the right hand, and the bit taken 

 in the left fingers. The insertion of the left thumb 

 at the mouth angle will induce the horse to open his 

 moiuth, and the bit is quietly slipped in, after which 

 the ears are gently inserted in the brow-band, and 

 the foretop laid smoothly in place. The mane 

 should be cut away for an inch just where the bridle 

 lies, and be kept cut short. The average groom is 

 very rough about these operations, and jams the 

 bit against the teeth until, through pain, the mouth 



