BITS AND BITTING. 



or the left, and the heels of the mouth-piece from hurting or 

 pressing more on one bar than on the other. The proper 

 place for the mouth-piece is about half an inch above the 

 tush of the lower jaw. In the case of hard-mouthed horses 

 the curb-chain should be rather tight : for good-mouthed 

 horses, star-gazers, and borers^ neither too light nor too 

 loose ; for very tender-mouthed horses, rather loose than 

 tight. 



An important point in the action of the Segundo bit is 

 that the mouth-piece has a partially rotatory movement 

 on its branches; or, more plainly, the branches move 

 upon the ends or butts of the mouth-piece to the extent 

 of a quarter of a circle. For this movement the inventor 

 claims the following noteworthy advantages : — ist, It enables 

 the horse to keep the mouth-piece always in its proper place, 

 independent of the branches, the slightest movement of the 

 tongue sufiicing to introduce it into its port or arch, and 

 thus fix it in that position which is best suited to the former. 

 2nd, The friction of the mouth-piece against the bars, occa- 

 sioned by every pull of the bridle, which, by constant 

 repetition, hardens them, is hereby almost entirely, if not 

 altogether, done away with. 3rd, Were a vicious horse to 

 seize the bit, or one of its branches, with his teeth, he could 

 still be made to feel the bit, because, the branches acting 

 independently of each other, and of the mouth-piece itself, the 

 curb-chain may be brought instantly into play, and the horse 

 under its subjection. Thus those fatal accidents, hitherto of 

 daily occurrence, which proceed from the rider or driver 

 being unable to stop his horse on account of the action of 

 the branches being suspended, are sure to be avoided by 

 means of the rotary movement given to the mouth-piece. 

 4th, It frees the tongue from all oppression, and the horse 

 from the necessity of putting it out; or of drawing it over 



