BRIDLE, an essential part of the trappings of a horse, for controuling its head, and regulating its mo: tions.
The bridle first known was certainly nothing more than a simple thong, or cord fastened about the head or neck of the horse, like our common halter : all the parts which now compose it have been adopted at different periods. In some countries it is still very little more than a thong ; for the laziest and most unwieldy of quadrupeds, the elephant, is guided by nothing but a cord around the neck, while his rider impels him for ward by a goad. Buffaloes also, and oxen trained to la bour, are, in some of the warmer countries, bridled by a cord passing through the cartilage of the nose.
Though the ancients guided their horses by reins, it has been questioned by Fabretti, NIontfaucon, and others, whether they were acquainted with the curb, and particularly the bit presently in use ; and, trusting to sculptures where the equestrian is represented in the act of leading his horse, certainly nothing like a bit appears. But it has been contended, on the other hand, that the freena lultata spoken of in the classics consisted of a bit with jagged teeth. The bit, however, is not to be considered a modern invention, though there are se veral countries where it is yet unknown.
The bridle at present consists of the reins, bit, and curb, to which chains are sometimes added ; and all these are supposed to have properties according to the various form and dimensions of which they are con structed. Of late the reins of riding, and some carriage horses, were made of leather rounded into the form of a cord, by which equal strength, and greater convenience, are preserved. The bit, which, combined with the reins, is so efficacious in controlling a horse, is flexible or inflexible, jointed, curved, or provided with rollers, and its side-pieces are long, short, bent, or straight at pleasure, and according to the restraint they are to pro duce ; and are called the Hessian, Pelham, or Weymouth bits. The curb consists of a chain composed of links,
which, it has been attempted to demonstrate, should be long. In treating of this subject, a modern author thus expresses his opinion : " If any panacea or universal me dicine is known, the snaffle is one for the mouth of horses; it suits and accommodates itself to all; either finding them good, or speedily making them so. The mouth once made, will always be faithful to the hand, act with what agent it will. This bridle can at once subject the horse to great restraints, or indulge him in ease and freedom. It can place the head exactly as the horseman chuses to have it; and can work and bend the neck and shoulders to what degree he may find ex pedient." In European countries, the bridle is generally plain, and of a strength and weight proportioned to the service to be performed, and the nature of the animal on which it is employed. But among the eastern nations it is of ten richly ornamented, and is sometimes studded with the most precious jewels.
In considering all that has been said on the various properties of reins, curbs, and bits of different fashions, it appears that so much attention bestowed on bridles might be avoided by a judicious mode of training horses. Every animal, almost without exception, may be render ed docile by mild and suitable treatment. Were horses, from the earliest period, constantly familiarized with mankind, their tractability, instead of being the result of cruel and coercive measures, would increase as they became fit for use. The necessity, therefore, for the reins, bits, and curbs, which are chiefly adapted to the unsubdued animal, would daily diminish. It cannot he overlooked, that the Tartars, who constitute the first equestrians in the world as a nation, guide and restrain their horses more by the motion of the knees than the influence of the bridle; and it is a leading characteristic of all Orientals to ride with a slack rein. See MANSHIP. (C)