204 BRIDLES AND SADDLES. 



the cheek, we may, to obtain increased power, lengthen 

 the lower arm, as we may find convenient — say, to four 

 and a half inches. 



(3.) The width of the mouthpiece should accurately 

 correspond with that of the horse's mouth, so that it may 

 not pinch the lips by being too tight, nor be liable to 

 slip from side to side by being too loose. In the latter 

 case, the horse is apt to acquire the habit of " boring " to 

 one side, by getting one of the cheeks of the bit close 

 up against the side of his mouth, which will cause the 

 port to become shifted over to the other side. He 

 will then, owing to the absence of the port, be able 

 to relieve the gum from pressure on the side to which 

 he bores, by interposing his tongue between it and the 

 mouthpiece. When the mouthpiece fits accurately, the 

 port will remain in the centre of the mouth, so that 

 there will be an " even feeling " on both sides. 



(4.) If we wish to render the bit less severe, we may 

 lower the port, so as to allow the tongue to take some of 

 the pressure. The port should on no account be more 

 than one and a quarter inches high, lest it might hurt the 

 horse by pressing against his palate — a form of punish- 

 ment which, I need hardly point out, is opposed to the 

 very first principles of good bitting. 



