MODERN HIDING. 23 



snaffle reins to take hold of the curb chain ; 

 with the left, put two fingers within the 

 cheek of the bit; and with your thumb take 

 hold of the curb hook. The end links of the 

 curb chain being in your right hand, turn 

 the chain to the right, or as you would turn 

 a screw, till every link lies smooth and flat, 

 as though it were a strap, and then without 

 losing a half turn, put that link on the hook 

 which appears to be most appropriate, i. e. 

 neither tight nor slack, and examine how the 

 branch operates. If the branch has liberty 

 to move forty-five degrees and no more, it is 

 the action which is most proper ; but a few 

 degrees more or less are not to be regarded. 

 Nevertheless, if one link of the chain confines 

 it to thirty-five degrees, and putting one link 

 lower gives it liberty to fifty-five degrees, the 

 manner your horse carries his head must de- 

 termine which of the links is most proper. 

 If the horse naturally carries his nose high, 

 let the branch have fifty-five degrees : if he 

 brings his nose in, thirty-five will be best. 

 We should be able to pass the finger between 

 the horse's jaw and the curb. 



9 



