THE MOUTHING BIT. 



273 



which cannot be obtained with the ordinary nose-band, owing 

 to defective construction. 



THE MOUTHING BIT. 



The mouthing bit (see Fig. 149) is a heavy jointed snaffle 

 with full cheek -pieces. The two sections of the mouth-piece 

 are joined in the centre by a small ring to which a flat plate 

 is attached and from the latter three metal keys or drops 

 depend. The ends of the mouth-piece near the cheek-pieces 

 are made very heavy, about an inch in diameter, and the 



FIG. 149. 



cheek-pieces are long and thick. The object of this form of 

 construction is, first, to provide a mouth-piece which will not 

 injure the horse's lips; second, by the existence of the keys, 

 to divert the animal's attention while the bit is being used ; 

 and third, by the length of the cheek-pieces, to prevent the 

 bit from being drawn through the mouth. This form of bit 

 is used in colt breaking and in teaching a horse to hold his 

 head and neck in a proper position. 



