THE USE OF THE BRIDLE 



seems a mild and feeble imitation. I have never 

 to this day made out whether or not a keen young 

 sportsman was amusing himself at my expense, 

 when, looking at my horse's head thus equipped, 

 he asked the simple question : ** Do you find it 

 a good plan to have your snaffle and curb all in 

 one ? " I did find it a good plan with that 

 particular horse, and at the risk of appearing 

 egotistical I will explain why, by narrating the 

 circumstances under which I first discovered 

 his merits, illustrating as they do the special 

 advantages of this unpopular implement. 



The animal in question, thoroughbred, and 

 amongst hunters exceedingly speedy, was unused 

 to jumping when I purchased him, and from his 

 unaffected delight in their society, I imagine had 

 never seen hounds. He was active, however, 

 high-couraged, and only too willing to be in front ; 

 but with a nervous, excitable temperament, and 

 every inclination to pull hard, he had also a 

 highly sensitive mouth. The double-bridle in 

 which he began his experiences annoyed him sadly ; 

 he bounced, fretted, made himself thoroughly 

 disagreeable, and our first day was a pleasure to 

 neither of us. Next time I bethought me of 

 putting on a Pelham, and the effect of its greater 

 liberty seemed so satisfactory, that to enhance it 

 I took the curb-chain off altogether. I was in 

 the act of pocketing the links, when a straight- 



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