198 BITS AND BITTING. 



down till the proper proportional length of the lower 

 bar has been attained. Of course, as we go on from 

 step to step with the adjustment, the straps of the head- 

 stall, and subsequently those of the reins, must be 

 buckled into the respective rings ; and when, as a final 

 step, the bridoon has been fitted and the curb hooked, 

 the horse may be mounted and tried.* 



In making this trial, those wno have hitherto not 

 paid much attention to the subject will do well to take 

 account of the whole circumstances of the case the 

 temperament, build, &c. of the horse, the uses to which 

 it is to be devoted, and whether it has ever been bitted 

 before or not. If the trial-bit be really well adjusted, 

 and the rider have a good hand, the horse will at once 

 take to the bit, or at least give a promise of doing so, 

 and nothing more will be required than to read off all 

 the dimensions from the trial-bit, in order to have a 

 proper^one constructed ; if, on the other hand, its action 

 be found unsatisfactory, the lower rings, the mouth- 

 piece, or the upper bar must be shifted till it does suit. 



It should be borne in mind that the greatest defect 

 a bit can have is to fall through or capsize that is to 

 say, describe a large circle before the horse shows itself 

 sensible to the lever action. When this takes place to 

 the extent of the lower bar forming nearly or altogether 

 a straight line with the rein, there is no lever action 

 whatever, and a good snaffle would be more powerful. 

 This falling through may depend on the curb being too 

 long, or on the upper bar being absolutely too short, 

 or on the lower one being proportionately too long, 

 especially in cases where the conformation and dimen- 



* Mr Childs, saddler, St Mary's, High Street, Bedford, has pat- 

 terns of the trial-bit and mouth-gauge. 



