1 88 Bits and B lit lug. 



left thumb so as to get a view of the interior of his 

 inoLith, whilst you draw the reins with the right hand 

 so as to see how the mouthpiece lies, whether too much 

 or too little of its pressure falls on the tongue — in fact, 

 whether the mouthpiece is not in fault ; but this requires 

 some experience, and perhaps the help of an instru- 

 ment, of which we shall have to speak in the next 

 chapter. 



And now a word as to the bridoon. This is, in the 

 first place, an aid in the early stages of training to facili- 

 tate the transition from the snaffle to the curbed bit ; 

 and in proportion as the young horse becomes familiar 

 with the latter, it is gradually laid aside, and then be- 

 comes a '^ second string to the bow " in case of any acci- 

 dent happening to the bit or its reins. Nothing is, how- 

 ever, commoner than to see amongst ourselves these its 

 well-understood uses completely reversed, and people 

 riding about our streets and parks holding on like grim 

 death by the bridoon-reins, whilst those belonging to 

 the bit dangle about the horse's neck, to be caught up 

 all of a sudden if the horse makes a bolt. Now this 

 simply proves that the bit is either so monstrous in 

 itself, or so absurdly placed in the horse's mouth, that 

 the rider is afraid to use it ; in many cases, too, his own 

 seat is so unsteady, and he depends so much on the 

 reins for support, that the best-fitting bit in the worid 

 would be useless or dangerous in his hands. If those 

 who really can ride would only bit their horses properly, 

 they might take the bit-rein in their hands without any 

 difficulty — nay, with great advantage to themselves, and 

 we should see fewer broken knees than at present ; for 

 it is frequently owing to the slovenly way of shuffling 

 along close to the ground, which horses ridden alto- 

 gether on the bridoon acquire, that these are ov»'Ing. 

 As to the other class of would-be riders, it will perhaps 

 be better for them to take to the snaffle exclusivelv, if 



