FIRST-HAND BITS OF STABLE LORE 



If you must buy a horse for saddle use on one 

 qualification only, be sure he moves his hocks 

 well, and " goes oflF them " as the dealers say, A 

 good deep slanting shoulder is valuable ; a well 

 set head, and a long neck that " bridles," that is, 

 bends well, is an advantage ; a strong loin and 

 back, and well-sprung ribs a blessing ; good open 

 feet, and broad, flat bone, with no " dishing " or 

 " toeing out," a requisite ; but when all is pos- 

 sessed (and said and done) if the animal does not 

 " bend his hocks " he will never give you a really 

 good and comfortable ride ; will lose his action and 

 elasticity with fatigue ; will tire to death in deep 

 going, and will prove the failure that any machine 

 must be when defective in its most important 

 (and least considered) detail. 



Be sure your bridle and saddle fit, and are 

 properly put on. The universally used double 

 bridle is too frequently short in brow band, mak- 

 ing it lie uncomfortably about the thin skin at the 

 ears ; the bridoon is generally placed three to five 

 holes too high, and the rings are far too small, 

 the bit too thin and narrow. What is called a 

 " Dexter snaffle " makes the best possible bridoon 

 bit. If the bridoon is too high, the curb-bit is as 

 universally too low, the port too frequently pres- 



152 



