GAG BIT— GALLOWAY 



times to be seen pounding it with their feet to soften it 

 before takinsf it into their mouths. 



Gag" Bit is a severe and totally unnecessary development 

 of the bearing-rein, and has done much to bring the latter 

 into disrepute amongst people who are unable to distinguish 

 the great difference that exists between the two. It consists 

 of a bit attached to a round rein passing from the cheek 

 upwards through rings near the brow-band to the pad-hook, 

 and drawn so tightly that the corners of the lips are dragged 

 upwards. If this bit is associated with a severe curb chain 

 linked up very tight, the horse is unable to move his head 

 without torture, and is therefore compelled to stand or move 

 with his lips almost cut through at the corners, and his head 

 forced back in an unnatural and very painful position. (See 

 Bearing-rein, Harness.) 



Gag Rein. — See Gag Bit. 



Gait. — See Action, Canter, Gallop, Trot, Walk. 



Gallop is the fastest pace at which a horse can move, 

 and may almost be described as an exaggerated canter, the 

 main difference between the two gaits being that in the 

 gallop the hind-leg is put down on the ground before the fore 

 one on the other side. (See Action, Canter.) 



Galloway is the term applied to undersized thorough- 

 breds, under 15 hands, which are used for racing outside 

 Jockey Club Rules. Owners taking part in the meetings of 

 the Pony and Galloway Society, however, do not incur the 

 risk of being warned off the turf if they race under the former 

 rules ; but the Galloways which run at such meetings are 

 debarred from running under either Jockey Club or National 

 Hunt Rules. An attempt to explain the reason for such 

 contradictory laws is obviously impossible. 



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