THE PATENT BRIDLE. 



189 



use of the Half-moon Bit. The foot-strap may be used to enable 

 testing the horse sufficiently hard to know with certainty to what 

 degree he will submit to the restraint. This bit also works very 

 nicely on side-reiners, or those that pull on one rein. 



Fie. 247. — First Form ol Spoon Bii. Easy on the Mouth. 



Patent Bridle. 



, The Patent Bridle, described on page 184, is undoubtedly the 

 most powerful means yet introduced of controlling a headstrong, 

 runaway horse. It does not require any practice or work other 

 than fitting the head-piece and bridle to the head, and setting the 

 horse back a few times. It gives two important points of advan- 



Fig. 248. — Second Form of Spoon Bit. Gives More Power. 



tage : First, it is as any common bit in the mouth until resistance 

 is excited, when by an ordinary pull such power is brought upon the 

 mouth that the strongest horse cannot well resist it ; second, it 

 brings direct pressure upon the spinal cord so as to affect the whole 

 nervous system most forcibly, and break up the inclination to pull ; 

 so that when a horse submits to it once, he will usually drive with an 

 ordinary bit and slack rein. This is one of the most important 

 secrets in making a horse safe in harness. Now when everything 



