The Cavcsson^ Snaffle^ etc. 149 



placed right and left of the centre ; but these two forms 

 produce the pincer-hke twitch, and are, therefore, to be 

 avoided, if possible. 



There is one abomination that cannot be sufficiently 

 reprobated — namely, a snaffle twisted on one side and 

 plain on the other, the pretence for using it being, that 

 the horse is hard-mouthed on one side. Now it has been 

 already pointed out that this disinclination to turn to 

 one side is sometimes produced by a swollen gland 

 under the jaw, or by a narrowness of the jaws them- 

 selves ; and when anything of this kind is the cause, it 

 is evidently pure brutality to apply sheer force. But 

 many horses dislike turning — to the right, for instance — ■ 

 where no local impediment of this kind exists ; and here 

 it will be found, that circling in trot on the right hand, 

 first of all very wide, and gradually narrowing in, the 

 rider's right hand directing the pull of its rein toward 

 the horse's left hind leg^ whilst his left liand keeps the 

 horse's head and neck tip to the proper position, is a 

 much more certain and also humane mode of attain- 

 ing the end for which ignorant riders employ the one- 

 sided twisted snaffle. 



A snaffle twisted on both sides is a much less object- 

 ionable instrument, and may be safely used by a well- 

 tempered and judicious rider who has a firm seat ; it 

 should, however, be scarcely ever necessary to resort to 

 this or any of the above-mentioned methods of increas- 

 ing the painful action of what should be as nearly as 

 possible a painless instrument,* because there are other 

 and better means of attaining the same object. 



Better means, because they are more durable in their 

 effects, although they may require more time in the first 



* It cannot be too often repeated, that the first object to be attained 

 in handling horses is to gain their confidence, and to lead them by 

 d^gree5 to an understanding of the rider's wishes, which they wil/ 

 always readily fulfill, if they are able. 

 13* 



