Int7'odiictory Chapter, 2*J 



admitted that a certain exaggerated method of rising 

 in the stirrups and totally abandoning all contact with 

 the saddle, in which Sunday and holiday riders so much 

 delight, conduces very directly to this. Of course no 

 good rider cares to perform this description of eques- 

 trian antic ; still it is sufficiently common, even amongst 

 men who should know better, to demand attention, and 

 is noted here for the sake of illustrating the close con- 

 nection that exists between bittinsr and saddling-. 



The mechanical principles on which the action of 

 the bit depends form the first subject of inquir}'. Then 

 we shall have to examine into the internal and external 

 conformation of the horse's mouth to which this instru- 

 ment is applied ; we shall thence be enabled to deduce 

 the dimensions of the several parts of the bit, and also 

 ascertain its proper place. Some few of these dimen- 

 sions are nearly constant — others, again, are variable — 

 and the proper means for ascertaining them shall be 

 pointed out. The use of the snaffle, the running-reins, 

 the nose-band, and other contrivances, demands some 

 attention, as also the real and supposed advantages of 

 various kinds of bits. 



The third and last part of the book is devoted to the 

 " Prevention and Cure of Restiveness." Violent mea- 

 sures are seldom successful for the latter purpose, and 

 more likely to produce than to prevent insubordination. 

 In fact, what Is generally required is a complete course 

 of re-training, under circumstances different from those 

 under which the restiveness is usually exhibited. The 

 question then arises. On what system this re-training 

 should be undertaken — the usual English one, or some 

 modification of the school method? The first named, 

 taken alone, is inadequate to the purpose .* if for no 

 other reason, from being generally carried out on the 

 roads, fields, etc. — that is to say, just where provocation 

 and opportunity for conflicts present themselves at every 



