FIRST-HAND BITS OF STABLE LORE 



the tongue in place ; if he " lugs " on one rein, or 

 has a habit of lunging, sidling, or wheeling either 

 way, apply a bristle burr until he gives it up, an 

 instrument which, contrary to the S. P. C. A., is 

 neither cruel nor used to " make horses prance " 

 and "foam at the mouth," but to keep them out 

 of shop windows, off sidewalks, and on all-fours, 

 and is a most useful and necessary adjunct to the 

 proper bitting of many horses ; uncomfortable, 

 yes, but cruel, never, nor will its steady use 

 cause even an abrasion. The demonstrations 

 of the S. P. C. A., and certain old women, 

 against these contrivances cause much merri- 

 ment among all practical horsemen who use, 

 always have used, and always will use them 

 when "necessary," but "no longer and not 

 otherwise;" in fact, it is only exceptional cases 

 that require them. 



Every puller is made, none was ever " born 

 so," and every such horse has some reason for his 

 bad mouth, and some one arrangement of bit and 

 bridle that will suit him, — it is for his intelligent 

 owner, given certain fundamental principles, to 

 learn the one and to provide the other. Sharp 

 teeth are a frequent cause of trouble, and every 

 master should see to it that his stud is inspected 



II2 



