BRIDLES. 51 



The names of the different leather parts of a bridle 

 (Fig. 6"]^) are as follows : — 



The crown-piece passes over the horse's poll. 



The cheek-pieces connect the crown-piece with the bit. 



The throat-latcli (usually pronounced " throat-lash ") passes 

 under the animal's throat, and serves to prevent the bridle 

 from slipping over his head. 



The front, forehead-hand or brozv-band, goes across the 

 horse's forehead, and furnishes at each end, a loop for the 

 crown-piece to pass through. " Front " is the trade term 

 for this strap. 



The head-stall or head, which is the trade term, is the name 

 given to the foregoing leather work in a collected form. 



The reins are connected to the bit or bits. 



Billets are the ends of reins or cheek-pieces which enter the 

 buckles that attach such reins or cheek-pieces to the bit. 

 There would naturally be no billets in bridles that had the 

 reins and cheek-pieces sewn on to the bit. 



Loops or keepers serve to retain the ends of the billets, when 

 buckles are employed. 



A nose-band (p. 60), is the strap that goes over the horse's 

 nose. 



A bridoon head (Fig. 68), is the head-stall of the snaffle of a 

 double bridle, and consists of two straps connected by a buckle. 



METHODS FOR CONNECTING THE HEAD-STALL AND 

 REINS TO THE BIT. 

 Fashion decrees that the head-stall and reins must be 

 sewn on to the bit, which is undoubtedly the neatest 

 plan ; although it is inconvenient to the groom when he 

 wants to clean the bridle, and it does not admit of the bit 

 being readily changed. These are valid objections to a horse- 

 owner who, like many in India and the Colonies, is obliged 

 to consider practical requirements rather than appearance, 



4* 



