Ekidemy

The quick-release knot

In Galop 1 you copied the quick-release knot; in Galop 2 you tie it on your own. You always tie up by the headcollar’s lead rope, to a solid ring at roughly the height of the withers, often through a loop of baler twine that will break if the horse panics.

1. 1Pass the rope through the ringKeep the rope short: the horse should be able to move its head, but never get a leg over the rope.
2. 2Make a loopWith the free end, make a loop by crossing it over the part that runs to the horse.
3. 3Push the bight throughFold the free end into a U to make a bight and push it through the loop.
4. 4TightenPull on the bight, then on the horse’s end to slide the knot up against the ring.
5. 5CheckOne sharp tug on the free end should undo it all. If the horse fiddles with the knot, slip the free end through the bight, and take it out again before you untie.

The parts of the bridle

The headpiece

Goes over the poll, behind the ears, and carries on into the throatlatch.

The throatlatch

Goes under the throat and is buckled loosely, with room for a fist. It stops the bridle coming off over the ears.

The browband

Goes across the forehead below the ears and stops the headpiece slipping back.

The cheekpieces

Down each side of the face, they join the headpiece to the bit. Their length sets the height of the bit.

The noseband

Goes round the nose, held up by its own headpiece, which runs under the bridle’s headpiece. It stops the horse opening its mouth too wide.

The bit

The metal piece that goes in the mouth and rests on the bars. The cheekpieces and the reins fasten to its rings.

The reins

Buckled to the bit rings, they join in the middle with a buckle.

Buckles and keepers

The buckles fasten each piece; the keepers hold the loose ends of leather flat.

Putting on the bridle

1. 1Get readyUnbuckle the headcollar and buckle it again round the neck: the horse stays tied up. Hold the bridle by the headpiece, the right way round.
2. 2Put the reins overLay them over the neck, without throwing them.
3. 3Take your placeOn the left of the head, facing forwards. Your right arm goes under the jaw and your right hand holds the headpiece in front of the forehead; your left hand offers the bit, flat, under the mouth.
4. 4Open the mouthSlide your left thumb into the corner of the lips, onto the bars. When the horse opens, lift your right hand: the bit goes in without knocking the teeth.
5. 5Ease the ears throughBring the headpiece behind one ear, then the other, folding them gently forwards. Pull the forelock — the tuft of mane that falls over the forehead — out over the browband.
6. 6Do up the bucklesFirst the throatlatch, leaving room for a fist, then the noseband, leaving room for two fingers under it.
7. 7CheckThe bit touches the corners of the lips without pulling them — one or two small wrinkles — the pieces are level on both sides, nothing pinches the ears. To tie the horse up again, put the headcollar back on over the bridle.