BRIDLE, in the menage, a contrivance made of straps or thongs of leather and pieces of iron, in order to keep a horse in subjection and obedience.
The several parts of a bridle are the bit, or snaffle; the head-stall, or leathers from the top of the head to the rings of the bit; the fillet, over the fore-head and under the fore-top; the throat-band, which buttons from the head-band under the throat; the reins, or long thongs of leather that come from the rings of the bit, and being cast over the horse's head, the rider holds them in his hand; the nose band, going through loops at the back of the head-stall, and buckled under the cheeks; the trench; the cavesson; the martingale; and the chaff-halter.
Bridles imported pay a duty of 4s. 9d. the dozen; whereof 4s. 3d. is repaid on exporting them again: besides which they also pay 6s. for every 20s. value upon oath, without any drawback.