198 BRIDLES AND SADDLES. 



I may remark that the term bit is very often restricted 

 to curbs. I have, however, in the following pages, used 

 it, for convenience sake, as a general term for either 

 curb or snaffle. A double bridle is the expression used 

 to signify one which has both a curb and a snaffle. It 

 is also called a bit and bridoon. 



A curb bridle is placed on the horse's head in the 

 manner shown in Fig. 31, page 229. 



The rings of the upper arms of the cheeks of the bit 

 are attached to the checkpieces of the headstall, which 

 is the term applied to the leather part of the bridle 

 that goes on the horse's head. 



The curbchain lies under the lower jaw, and is at- 

 tached to the upper rings of the bit. 



The lipsti^ap, which passes through a ring placed for 

 that purpose on the curbchain, serves to prevent the 

 curbchain from shifting upwards, and also keeps the 

 cheeks of the bit from swinging forward and becoming 

 reversed. It also helps to prevent a tricky horse from 

 catching the cheekpiece of the bit wdth his lower lip, or 

 with his teeth. 



The depression in the lower jaw, in which the curb- 

 chain should rest, is called the chin groove. 



Action of the cnrb. — The following pressures are, when 



