'Persia and the Persian Question by the Hon. George Nathaniel Curzon, M.P.' [‎54] (85/714)

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restorative at hand ; and I commiserate the teetotaller who starts on a
hard chapar ride through Persia. I took out an English snaffle and
two -reined bridle, and used them nearly throughout. I do not, however,
recommend the former, except on the score of mercy. It is utterly unlike
the Persian bit, and a Persian horse does not understand it. If he is
a crock it does not much matter, but if he is a mettled animal he runs
away. It is better, on the whole, to employ the native bit, cruel though
it be 1 With the saddle must be taken a felt saddle-pad, as most of
the chapar horses have sore backs ; and humanity, if no other con
sideration, dictates the precaution. I had my stirrup-irons bound
round with flannel, a useful preventive of the acute cold at night and
in the early morning.
For riding I recommend a stout pair of breeches, not too tight at
the knee, where the strain soon tells. I took a hint from Dr. W ills,
' and bought at Tiflis an invaluable pair of big Russian top
Kit boots, at least two sizes too large for me over the foot. They
are easily pulled on and off, are very flexible, and, by reason of the loose
fit, keep the feet warm. Anglo-Indian officers usually ride in puttis 2
and shoes ; and some travellers prefer riding-trousers to breeches. A
good pair of nailed shooting boots are a sine qua non for the climbs
over the rocky kotals and passes, which would very soon knock a hole
in the soles of any lighter construction. Goloshes should also be taken
for visits to the grandees, who are very particular about their carpets,
and do not like muddy or dusty footprints upon them. Woollen socks
and stockings are indispensable, as also is a pair of spurs. Elannel
shirts will always be worn when riding, although linen shirts are essen
tial for the critical coteries of Teheran. I found a Norfolk jacket with
single collar buttoning round the neck, and plenty of pockets, the best
dress for riding ; and I shall ever be grateful for the advice that
prompted me to take a worsted (Cardigan) waistcoat, which could be
pulled on and off as the temperature demanded, and was a supreme
consolation on a cold night. A black frock-coat must be taken, if
visits are contemplated to royal personages, governors, or ministers.
The Persians look upon a cut-away coat as grossly undignified ; and
1 Sir Thomas Herbert wrote, 270 years ago : ' They curb their horses' mettle
with sharp bits, a ring of iron helping them ; ' and there is not a doubt that the
same bit is in use now. It is shaped like the letter H- with a shaip piojcctiou
upwards from the middle of the cross-bar. To this is attached a ring, which
passes round the lower jaw and operates as the most effective curb that I ha%e
ever seen. If ahorse has at all a tender mouth, the slightest touch will make
him wince; while to rein him in tight, as the Persians are in the habit of doing
in order to show off their horsemanship, must often cause the poor brute intense
suffering.
2 Pidti is probably in its origin a Persian word, being contracted from pai-tna,
the bandages that are worn round the leg by the inhabitants of Mazanderan.