THE HORSE. 767 



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made familiar with noises and startling objects, gradually at first by beginning with those of 

 a mild character, urtil he fails to be frightened at almost anything in sight or sound. 

 This will prevent him from shying suddenly when used in the harness. When well halter- 

 broken, that is, when he will lead readily by the halter, and also stand quietly when tied, he 

 has learned a valuable lesson. 



The Bitting Process. A smooth bit that will not hurt the mouth of the colt should 

 be used ; also, one that has a bar at each side to prevent it from pulling through his mouth 

 either way. 



This may be attached to the head-stall of the bridle, without reins, and he be allowed to 

 wear it an hour or two each day, until he becomes accustomed to it, and will bear it without 

 trying to get it out of his mouth. As soon as he will bear it, the reins may be attached. Do 

 not tire or worry him, but let everything that is new to him be gradual. 



The method of bitting, as followed by many ignorant horse-breakers, cannot be con 

 demned in too strong terms. It is alike inhuman and injurious to the animal, and is prac 

 ticed under the mistaken idea that by drawing the horse s head out of its natural position, by 

 this torturing process, he will ever afterward carry it in a graceful manner. 



The position in which a horse carries his head in harness will depend mainly upon his 

 form and temper. A horse may have ever so much spirit and courage, but, if he have a 

 short neck and perpendicular shoulder, no bitting bridle ever invented will give him a grace 

 fully curved neck, and fine style of carriage. Style is something inherent in the animal, and 

 not in the application of any device that may be invented by man. The great object of the 

 bitting bridle is to cause the horse to yield to the pressure of the bit, and to teach him to 

 obey the guidance of the reins. The mouth of the colt is very tender and sensitive, and the 

 use of any bit that will cut, bruise, and mangle the gums, tongue, or lips, is not only cruel, 

 but in time renders the colt hard-mouthed and unmanageable. Of course, it is desired that 

 the horse s mouth shall become toughened to the use of the bit, but this will come gradually 

 by daily use. It is not, however, desirable that the mouth shall become so injured by it that 

 the bit will make no impression whatever. Mr. Murray s opinion on this subject is so much 

 in conformity with our own, that we quote it for the benefit of our readers: 



&quot; To see the bits that have been invented, and the bitting-machines that have been 

 patented and sold, to serve this purpose, is enough to set the satirist on edge, and arouse the 

 ire of the humane. The truth is, the only use of any bitting-machine, if it is any thing 

 more than a plain bar-bit in a bridle without blinkers or check-line, is to make money for 

 some ignoramus, and torture the horse. The philosophy of bitting horses, upon which these 

 bitting-machines are founded, is a fraud and folly. There is no more need for them in a 

 trainer s yard than there is in a nursery. I make no limitation or modification of this state 

 ment at all. Their true name is fool s machine, and not bitting-machine: or, more prop 

 erly, if you wish to designate their use and result of it, call them machines to spoil horses 

 mouths ; for this appellation precisely describes them. A man using one ought to be 

 indicted before the common law of the country, which should at least be able to prevent 

 such cruelty to animals. If any owner of a colt who reads this owns or uses one of these 

 bitting-machines, I urge him to burn it or bury it, as the most mischievous and hurtful 

 thing that he can have about his stables. If I wished to make my colts hogged-mouthed 

 and desperate pullers, I would use one of these infernal machines, as I have no doubt the 

 colts themselves call them, and as they deserve to be called by colts and men. I will show 

 you how this plan of using these machines works. 



&quot; Now let us begin to lit a colt according to the machine method. The colt, never having 

 been even broke to the halter, perhaps, is led out into a yard, the machine strapped on his 

 back, the bit of iron or steel jammed into his mouth, the check-rein adjusted, and the colt s 

 head drawn suddenly up into the air, and the trainer stands one side. The colt, of course, 



