BITS AND BITTING. 



The art of bitting a horse properly is so little un- 

 derstood, that it would seem that some hints about 

 the conformation of a horse's mouth and the place 

 where to locate the bit, might be appreciated by those 

 who take a lively interest in the well-being of our 

 dumb, patient friends ; the same time reaping for 

 themselves the benefits derived from proper bitting: 



The many complaints we so frequently hear: 

 "I dont know what makes my horse pull so hard"; 

 or, " what makes him poke out his nose "; or, "he does 

 not come up to the bit", etc., would very soon cease 

 to be heard. L- nf ortunately, the bitting of horses is 

 generally left to persons who have not the faintest 

 knowledge of the anatomy of a horse's mouth, and 

 whose faculty of reasoning does not go a great way. 

 They conclude a bit is a bit, and toss the same up as 

 high as possible into the *' critter's mouth," but, be- 

 yond that, they don't bother their poor brains. 

 "Whether the master rides or drives comfortably or 

 not, an accident happens or not, they don't care 

 much. At any rate, it is never their fault — *' the boss 

 is no good anyhow." When will the time come that 

 gentlemen take a personal interest in these matters 



131 ! 



