The Cavcsson^ Sfiaffle^ etc. 147 



of which the highest results can be obtained, wliilst, on 

 the other hand, less mischief can be done with it than 

 with any other. There are some few riders whose seat 

 is so firm and hand so delicate that they can venture on 

 putting a curb-bit at once into a horse's mouth, but these 

 are rare exceptions ; and although, in former times, it 

 was the custom to bit and curb the cavalry remount at 

 once and send it to its work, especially in war-time, this 

 system, which produced almost as many restive horses 

 as all other causes put together, has been finally aban- 

 doned everywhere, except amongst the Orientals, and 

 the greater part of the handling is now done on the 

 snaffle. 



The great value of the snaffle is, that by its use the 

 horse acquires confidence and insight into the means by 

 which the rider proposes to direct its motions, and that 

 it willingly assumes a steady and regular feeling, the 

 action of the mouth-piece being gentle and capable of 

 gradation ; and, in consequence of its acting on nearly 

 the same part of the mouth as the curb-bit, it becomes a 

 much better preparative for the latter than the cavesson 

 can ever be, whilst it can never act in so violent a manner 

 as either the one or the other. 



It is precisely for this reason that the simplest form of 

 snaffle — neither too long, too thin, nor too much curved, 

 and with only one joint in the middle — is the best; but 

 as there is no end of fincy and prejudice about various 

 kinds of snaffles, it will be perhaps well to see into the 

 real effect of some of those varieties of form and dimen- 

 sion that are so much relied on by the knowing ones. If 

 the snaffle mouth-piece were simpl}^ two straight pieces 

 of iron of equal thickness throughout, jointed together 

 in the middle, its whole pressure would, with most 

 horses, come to act on the tongue exclusively, and the 

 base of the mouth remaining untouched, there would be, 

 therefore, scarcely any action. To avoid this inconve- 



