8o BITS AND BRIDLE GEAR. 



CONSTRUCTION OF CURBS. 



I. Length of upper end of cheeks. The longer are the 

 upper ends of the cheeks of a curb, the greater will be the 

 downward pull on the head-stall, and the stronger will be 

 the tendency of the curb-chain to mount up on the sharp 



Fig. 93. Action of a Curb which has tio Curb-chain. 



and sensitive edges of the branches of the lower jaw. If 

 however, the upper ends of the cheeks be too short, they 

 will allow the cheeks of the bit to come more or less into 

 a straight line with the reins, when the latter are drawn 

 tightly, supposing that the curb-chain is somewhat loose. 



