RIDING RECOLLECTIONS 



field. If the partner at one end of the bridle 

 could speak, how often would he answer, 

 " Through bad riding ;" when the partner at the 

 other dishonestly replies, "The brute didn't jump 

 high enough, or far enough, that was all." It is 

 well for the most brilliant reputations that the 

 noble animal is generous as he is brave, and 

 silent as he is wise. 



I have already observed there are many more 

 kinds of bridles than those just mentioned. 

 Major Dwyer's, notably, of which the principle 

 is an exact fitting of bridoon and curb-bits to the 

 horse's mouth, seems to give general satisfaction ; 

 and Lord Gardner, whose opinion none are likely 

 to dispute, stamps it with his approval. I confess, 

 however, to a preference for the old-fashioned 

 double-bridles, such as are called respectively 

 the Dunchurch, Nos. i and 2, being persuaded 

 that these will meet the requirements of nine 

 horses out of ten that have any business in the 

 hunting-field. The first, very large, powerful, 

 and of stronger leverage than the second, should 

 be used with discretion, but, in good hands, is 

 an instrument against which the most resolute 

 puller, if he insists on fighting with it, must 

 contend in vain. Thus tackled, and ridden by 

 such a horseman as Mr. Angerstein, for instance, 

 of Weeting, in Norfolk, I do not believe there 

 are half a dozen hunters in E norland that could 



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