134 HOW TO JUDGE A HORSi!. 



constantly one and three -fourth inches, therefore, 

 the length of the upper branch of the bit should be 

 exactly the same, meaning the distance from where 

 the curb hook rests, in the upper ring, to the centre- 

 line of the mouthpiece where that is riveted to the 

 side branches. 



Thus, we get a right-angled triangle, formed by the 

 upper branch of the bit, an imaginary line drawn 

 from the mouthpiece to the chin groove (both being 

 one and three-fourth inches long), and the curb chain. 

 Only under these conditions can the chain rest in 

 its proper place, that is, in the chin groove, and act 

 as a fulcrum to the leverage of the bit. The chain 

 thus remaining stationary, causes the horse no pain, 

 and it will yield readily to the pressure of the 

 mouthpiece on his jaws. 



The upper branch of the bit being one and three- 

 fourth inches, the lower one should be three and one- 

 half inches, to be in the ratio of 1 and 2— with very 

 big horses three and three-fourth inches — giving the 

 rider all the necessary lever power for controlling 

 the horse. 



The bit put into the horse's mouth, the mouthpiece 

 should be placed right opposite the chin groove, the 

 curb chain twisted so as to be perfectly smooth and 

 hooked in, so that there is room for the first three 

 fingers of the hand, when put between chain and 



