DESCRIPTION OF A BRIDLE.
A bridle consists of a bit, head-stall and reins. The bit is the piece of metal which goes into the animal’s mouth; the head-stall or “head” is the leather straps which connect the bit to the horse’s head; and the reins enable the rider to use the bit.
Some persons incorrectly restrict the term “bit” in all cases to a curb. This particular application of the word is from custom allowable in the expression “bit and bridoon,” in which the bit signifies a curb, and the bridoon a snaffle.
Fig. 36.—Nutcracker action of Jointed Snaffle on Horse’s Mouth. | Fig. 37.—Action of Unjointed Snaffle on Horse’s Mouth. |
The names of the different leather parts of a bridle ([Fig. 32]) are as follows:—
The crown piece (a) passes over the horse’s poll.
The cheek pieces (b b) connect the crown-piece with the bit.
The throat-latch (c), which is usually pronounced “throat-lash,” passes under the animal’s throat, and serves to prevent the bridle from slipping over his head.
The front, forehead-band or brow-band (d) goes across the horse’s forehead, and has a loop at each end, for the crown-piece to pass through. “Front” is the trade name for this strap.
The head-stall or head, which is the trade term, is the name given to all this leather work.