174 BITS AND BITTIXG. 



ing to this proportion, but too frequently make tlio 

 lower cheek inordinately long, because they have no 

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

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

 latter dimension, we have 3J inches for the former 

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

 11), and 5 J 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. 13), This will be the maximum required, and will 

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

 or large ponies the upper check 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 Weja-other, 

 recommended the measured width of the mouth to be 

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

 varies, as we have already shown, from Stu, 4| to oiV 

 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 tioo fixed quan- 

 tities, instead of a number of variable ones. 



Next to the dimensions of the cheeks 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 



