88 NOTES FOR IIUNTING-MEN 



I need not tell you not to have your curb chain 

 too tight. When the cheek of the bit is in line 

 with the cheek piece of the bridle, there should 

 be plenty of room for your finger between the curb 

 chain and the jaw. 



It is advisable to have a leather chain 



Curb chain 



guard to prevent the risk of the curb 

 chain galling, and a really tight-mouthed horse 

 will go best in a leather curb. 



If an animal requires a strong bit, get this 

 strength by a long cheek and not by a high port. 

 The latter may play the mischief with a horse's 

 mouth before you know what you have done, and 

 when once a horse's mouth gets really sore inside it 

 is a long and tedious business getting it right again, 

 and sometimes requires a veterinary operation. 

 Besides, with a well-bred spirited horse, the more 

 you hurt him the more he will fight you, and 

 one day's pain from a severe bit may convert what 

 was only a keen eager horse into a determined 

 puller. 



