Another method of fastening the cincha-strap is as follows: Pass the end through the upper ring to the rear; seize it with the right hand; place the fingers of the left between the outer folds of the strap; pull from the horse with the left hand and take up the slack with the right; pass the end of the strap underneath and draw it through the upper ring until a loop is formed; double the loose end of the strap and push it through the loop and draw the loop taut. The free end should then be long enough to conveniently seize with the hand.
Having fastened the cincha-strap, let down the right stirrup, then the left.
The surcingle is then buckled over the saddle and should be a little looser than the cincha.
The cincha when first tied should admit a finger between it and the belly. After exercising for a while the cincha will be found too loose and should be tightened.
To Put on the Curb-bridle.—Take the reins in the right, the crownpiece in the left, hand; approach the horse on the near side, passing the right hand along the neck; slip the reins over his head and let them rest on his neck; take the crownpiece in the right hand and the lower left branch of the bit in the left hand, the fore finger against the mouthpiece; bring the crownpiece in front of and slightly below its proper position; insert the thumb of the left hand into the side of the mouth above the tush; press open the lower jaw; insert the bit by raising the crownpiece; with the left hand draw the ears gently under the crownpiece, beginning with the left ear; arrange the forelock; secure the throat-latch and then the curb-strap, taking care not to set them too closely.
The mouthpiece, which should fit the width of the horse's mouth, rests on that part of the bars directly opposite the chin-groove; the curb-strap will then lie in the chin-groove, without any tendency to mount up out of it on the sharp bones of the lower jaw. This position of the mouthpiece will be attained for the majority of horses by adjusting the cheek-straps so that the mouthpiece will be one inch above the tushes of geldings and two inches above the corner teeth of mares.
The throat-latch should admit four fingers between it and the throat; this prevents any constriction of the windpipe or pressure on the large blood-vessels.
The curb-strap or chain, which should be of width to fit the chin-groove,—not over three fourths of an inch,—should fit smoothly the chin-groove, and be loose enough to admit one or two fingers when the branches of the bit are in line with the cheek-strap.
If the bridle be put on over the head-stall, the hitching-strap, if not left at the manger or picket-line, will be tied around the neck. The hitching-strap may also be arranged as follows: Loop it two or three times through the ring so that the loop may be about 8 inches long; wind the strap several times around the loops and draw the end tightly through them.