256 THE CHOICE OF A BIT. 



ports, some without. Nine horses out of ten will go pleasantly in a shifting 

 bit, which has a smooth side and a rough side to the bar, which also shifts up 

 and down for about an inch, and the cheek of which turns so that the smooth 

 or rough side can be used." "Driving" Badminton, p. 90. 



The second consideration in the selection of a bit is its 

 design. As the purchaser, his coachman and the dealer, in 

 all likelihood, know nothing of the character of the horse's 

 mouth, the simplest bit should be chosen unless the former 

 owner of the horse has recommended some distinct type. 



The common failing of dealers is to offer expensive, fancy 

 and severe patterns which serve their purpose in swelling 

 the size of the bill for equipment, but under most circum- 

 stances such bits are totally unsuited to the horse's mouth. 



The third consideration is that the bit should be of the 

 best quality steel, for upon its strength the safety of the 

 rider or driver and his control over the horse depend; hence 

 all bits should be of the best forged steel. Plated bits, which 

 are in high favor with lazy stable servants, are dangerous 

 and otherwise objectionable. Flaws in the steel or the in- 

 ferior metal of which the bit is made cannot be detected, 

 and in cleaning plate, sand cannot be used for scouring 

 without removing the plating. In a short time, even when 

 merely metal polish is used, the plating wears off, the bit 

 rusts and has to be discarded. 



For driving a single horse the choice of a Liverpool bit 

 with a half rough mouth-piece is advised, unless the horse 

 is of the roadster type, for which a plain ring jointed snaffle 

 with a half cheek-piece and check bit will be required. For 

 a pair the Ashleigh with a half rough mouth-piece is advised ; 

 the objection to the Liverpool is that the front part of the 

 rings on the inner sides of the reversible pattern with round 



