236 
MISCELLANEA. 
brought it many miles, for it was seized within two hundred yards 
of the spot where we stood, and instantly dispatched. We, of 
course, thankfully took possession of his prize, the right to which 
the wild dog seemed much inclined to dispute with us. I pro- 
posed to leave half of it for the pursuer. “ No,” said one of my 
men : “ he is not so hungry as we are, or he would not run so fast.” 
— Robert Moffat's Labours and Scenes in Southern Africa. 
Putting a young Horse on the Bit. 
As a practice of submission, placing him on the bit is good — 
not to improve his mouth, it spoils that ; for colts left in this way, 
tightly buckled up, bear heavily, and even go to sleep on the bit. 
The immediate consequence is raw, and afterwards callous lips. It 
is better to fix the straps from the cross and pillars to the cavesson, 
instead of to the bit. Cleaning him on the bit, that is an easy 
colt’s mouthing-piece, is an admirable practice. The reins should 
be on the sides of the stalls, and the horse’s head towards the 
manger. When dressed in the pillow straps, there is danger of 
capping his hocks by kicking against the manger. — Hints on 
Horsemanship . 
Chiffney Bits and Bridle Reins. 
As the collected paces of the parade are not in vogue in 
England, a gentleman rarely has occasion for his curb at all, unless 
it be to train a horse for a lady, or in the case where a commanding 
power is required with a horse, who, by bad or cruel handling, has 
become habitually restive (for I disbelieve the existence of one 
naturally so), or whose animal impetuosity or ferocity leads him to 
attack his neighbours. In such a case, a Chiffney bit, on the prin- 
ciple described, with half the length of branch, and a third part of 
the weight, will be found more effective than a clipper bit ; and 
at the same time that weight is got rid of, danger is avoided, 
which, with branches running far below the horses mouth, is very 
great in going through living fences or coverts. The reins should 
be extremely thin and supple : they will last the longer for it. 
Reins break from being stiff and cracking ; and suppleness of reins 
is essential for delicacy of hand. With such a bit, so placed 
(low in the mouth) I have seen the tips of the most beautiful 
fingers in the world, constrain the highest mettled and hottest 
thorough-bred horses, and — 
“ Rule them when they ’re wildest.” 
Hints on Horsemanship. 
