io 4 



BITS AND BRIDLE GEAR. 



the lower jaw ; and the downward pull on the head-stall will 

 be got rid of as much as the nature of the bit will allow. 

 Also, we may see from Fig. 1 1 5 that the lower the mouth- 

 piece is placed, the broader will be the bearing surfaces of the 

 lower jaw (from the back teeth to the tushes) ; and con- 

 sequently, the less liable will the pressure of the mouth-piece 

 be to hurt the horse. I am aware that when placed as I 

 have described, the curb, when its reins are slack, will appear 

 to unaccustomed eyas to be placed too low down. But when 

 the reins are drawn tight, the veriest novice will appreciate 

 the correctness of this adjustment. By adopting this method 



Fig. 115. View of upper surface of the bones of the lower jaw which 

 form the bearing surfaces of the mouth-piece of the bit. 



of arranging the curb, I have succeeded in scores of cases, as 

 if by magic, in obtaining ready control over horses which had 

 previously been all but unmanageable with even the severest 

 curb in their mouths. I am deeply indebted to Colonel Green- 

 wood for this very " straight tip." In the Cavalry, the mouth- 

 piece of the curb is placed an inch higher than what Colonel 

 Greenwood advises. 



The curb-chain should pass outside the snaffle (Fig. 116), 

 and should lie flat in the chin-groove, with a certain amount 

 of play, say, up to about 45 (as in Fig. 95) with the 

 direction of the cheek-pieces of the head-stall. If too much 

 play be given, the mechanical advantage of the curb will of 



