vii.] THE BIT. 



animal impetuosity or ferocity leads him to attack 

 his neighbours. In such a case a Chifney bit, with 

 the mouth-piece described, with half the length of 

 leg, and a third part of the weight, will be found 

 more effective than a clipper bit ; and at the same 

 time that weight is got rid of, danger is avoided, 

 which, with branches running far below the horse's 

 mouth, is very great in going through living fences 

 or coverts. 



With such a bit, so placed, I have seen the taper 

 tips of the most beautiful fingers in the world constrain 

 the highest-mettled and hottest thorough-bred horses, and 

 " rule them when they're wildest." It is an implement 

 which will give to the weakest hand the power of the 

 strongest, which most of the strongest hands cannot 

 be trusted to wield, and which, if ladies' hands are 

 light, equal, and smooth, will give them the power 

 of riding horses such as few men might venture to 

 mount. 



Provided the indications from the hand are true and 



G 2 



