BITS AN"D BITTING. 36 



the offices of the bit to produce pain ; but only when the 

 horse resists its action, and then only so much as may be 

 necessary to secure submission to the rider's will. As he 

 will instinctively yield to a pressure that would cause pain 

 if he did not yield, and as, if the pain is produced from 

 both directions, he will try so to move as to escape from 

 that which is the more intense, it is of the greatest im- 

 portance that the bit be constructed in such a manner, 

 and so placed in the mouth, as to impel his head in the 

 right direction — that is, toward the rider's hand. 



The bit rests against the ^^bars" of the lower jaw, 

 those parts of the jaw where there are no teeth. It has 

 two levers, one at each side ; one end of each of these 

 levers projects upward, carrying the chain that passes 

 under the chin, and the other ends project downward to 

 receive the reins, by which the force is to be applied. 

 The object is to have the chin serve as a fulcrum, so that 

 when a strain is applied to the lower ends of the levers, 

 the pressure on the bars will be sufficiently suggestive of 

 pain to cause the horse to draw in his head. If, from 

 bad construction or improper adjustment, the chain be- 

 comes more painful than the bit, the horse will withstand 

 the lesser pain in his mouth to escape the greater pain 

 behind it, and will thrust out his head in obedience to 

 the real impulsion. In this case the bit is virtually the 

 fulcrum, and the stronger impression is produced by the 

 chain. It is in the principle herein suggested that we are 

 to seek the solution of the greatest difficulties connected 

 with proper bitting ; and its close observance is necessary 

 to complete success. In nine cases out of ten the arrange- 

 ment of the bit is so faulty, that it is impossible for it to 



