170 BITS AND BITTING. 



standard of length for the upper one ; whereas, if we 

 adhere to the rule laid down above of If inches for the 

 latter dimension, we have 3J inches for the former 

 one, both measured from the line of bearing (see fig. 

 10), and 5J inches for the entire length of the bit 

 measured from the point at which the curb-hook acts 

 above to that where the lower ring acts below (see 

 fig. 12). This will be the maximum required, and will 

 be found to suffice in all cases ; with very small horses 

 or large ponies, the upper bar will have to be reduced 

 to li inches, the lower one to 3 inches, leaving 

 the total equal 4J inches, which will be about the 

 minimum. 



Some authorities, amongst these Von "Weyrother, 

 recommended the measured width of the mouth to be 

 taken as a rule for the length of the lower bar : this 

 varies, as we have already shown, from 3^-, 4| to 5^ 

 inches, and would be, therefore, somewhat more than 

 the rule given above ; but Yon Oeynhausen adheres to 

 this latter, and we are convinced that he is perfectly 

 justified in so doing, because we have it in our power, by 

 means of the mouthpiece, to effect the nicest adjust- 

 ment that can be desired, and there is a much better 

 chance of having the proper proportions adhered to by 

 the bit-makers if we give them one or two fixed quan- 

 tities, instead of a number of variable ones. 



jtfext to the dimensions of the bars of the bit, the 

 most important point to be considered is the curb ; or 

 rather, the position of the bit in the horse's mouth, 

 taken in conjunction with the line of the curb, is what 

 determines in the first instance the height of the upper 

 bar, and consequently that of the lower one. The curb 

 must lie in the curb-groove, without any tendency to 



