74 [CHAP. 



CHAPTEK VII. 



THE BIT. 



Place of the bit in the mouth. Principle of the bit. Action of the 

 common bit. Action of the Chifney bit. The loose eye. The nose- 

 band. The horse's defence against the bit by the tongue. Effect of 

 the porte against this defence. Defence by the lip. Defence by the 

 teeth. Bar of the military and driving bit. Martingale. Danger 

 .does not result from power. 



Place of bit To give the bit its most powerful action it should be 



in the 



mouth. placed so low as only just to clear the tusks in a horse's 

 mouth, and to be one inch above the corner teeth in a 

 mare's mouth. The curb-chain should be so tight as not 

 to admit more than one finger freely between it and the 

 chin; these rules are simple, and should be attended to 

 by all riders; a horseman should no more mount with 

 his bit improperly placed, than a seaman should set sail 

 with his helm out of order. 



Principle A twitch round the lower jaw, under the tongue, on the 

 of the bit. 



