76 



HORSES AND PJDING. 



Thus, if a man lias a poii}^ with a hard mouth, 

 and a large horse with a tender mouth, he will find 

 himself obliged either to put into the pony's mouth a 

 light bit, with which he cannot hold him, or a big 

 bit, twice the width it ought to be ; while with the 

 tender-mouthed horse he will have the choice between 

 a little pony's bit, which will not go into his mouth, 

 or a bit that fits him, but is too severe for him. 



The size of a curb bit depends on the size of the 



Fig. 8. 



crossbar or port, as it is called ; while the severity 

 of the bit depends on the length of the upright bars 

 or cheeks. The longer the long part of the cheek 

 is the more severe the bit is. The crossbar or port 

 should be quite plain and smooth, with the exception 

 of a slight curve, and the severity" of the bit should 

 be increased by lengthening the cheek alone, and not 

 by altering the shape or size of the port. The best 

 way to get a good curb bit is to order one to be made 

 for you at a saddler's, giving him the Avidth of the 



