xviii INTRODUCTION. 



port should be of a size to hold the tongue, 

 but it must not be hio^h enoug;h to torture 

 the horse. The check-pieces will be from 

 one inch and a half, to one inch and three 

 quarters in length, from the centre of the 

 mouth -piece to the fastening of the curb- 

 chain hook ; the length of the branches 

 will determine the power of the lever, and 

 must depend upon the force required : 

 they should be from four and one half 

 to five inches lono: for horses that are 

 to be bitted as I recommend. The 

 curb-chain should lie in the groove of 

 the chin, and must be loose enough 

 to allow a play of at least fifteen 

 degrees from the perpendicular before 

 the lever action of the bit begins to 

 operate. 



"When the bits have been fitted, and the 



