CHAPTER X. 



BITS. 



THE CONSTRUCTION OF DRIVING AND RIDING BITS, THE 

 VARIOUS TYPES, CURB-CHAINS AND COST. 



BITS, in the control of the 

 horse, may be considered the 

 key. If they fit they lay be- 

 fore the owner an extensive 

 field of pleasant diversion, but 

 if they are not right the value 

 of the horse is beyond the 

 reach of the rider or driver. 

 On the other hand, many own- 

 ers, supposing they were the 

 possessors of an equine treas- 

 ure, have had innumerable con- 

 trivances made in their en- 

 deavor to find a key to an imaginary prize. Hence the 

 variety of modifications and elaborations in the forms of bits 

 is almost endless. 



" A bit, whether for riding or driving, should be of such a shape and 

 dimensions, and fitted on in such a manner as to control a horse with the 

 least possible effort of the rider or driver. These essentials may be ob- 

 tained in the highest degree without irritating the animal. Unfortunately, 

 from sheer carelessness and ignorance, a great deal of cruelty is daily 

 practised on the horses of the higher and richer classes, in the way of ill- 

 proportioned, ill-shaped, extravagantly large, heavy and misfitting bits, which, 

 drawn tight by bearing-reins on the gag principle, convert them into instru- 



249 



