ON PROPERLY FIXING THE BRIDLE, SADDLE, &c.
THE BRIDLE.
In fitting the bridle, THE CURB BIT should be placed so that the mouth-piece be but one inch above the lower tusk,—in mares, two inches above the corner tooth; THE BRIDOON touching the corner of the lips, so as to fit easy, without wrinkling them; THE HEADSTALL parallel to the projecting cheek-bone, and behind it; THE THROAT LASH should be sufficiently long to fall just below the cheek-bone, and not lay over or upon it; THE NOSE BAND should be placed low—but that must depend very much on the size of the horse’s mouth—and not buckled tight; THE CURB, when properly fitted, should be flat and smooth in the hollow of the lips, so as to admit one finger easily between.
THE SADDLE
should be placed in the middle of the horse’s back, about a hand’s breadth, or four or five inches, from the shoulders, so as to give perfect freedom to the action of the muscles of the shoulders.
The girths must be laid evenly one over the other, and admit freedom for one finger between the girth and the horse’s belly. The surcingle should fit neatly over the girths, and not be buckled tighter than they are. The large ring of THE BREASTPLATE or MARTINGALE should be placed about two inches above the sharp breast-bone, and should allow of the hand being laid flat between it and the shoulders.
THE STIRRUPS.
In length they should be so that the bottom edge of the bar is about three inches above the heel of the boot. The author always adopts the following method for ascertaining the correct length of the stirrups, viz.:—He takes up the stirrup-iron with the right hand, at the same time placing the bottom of the stirrup-iron under the left arm-pit, he extends the left arm until the fingers of that hand easily touch the stirrup buckles; this is a sure criterion with most people.