THE OVER. CHECK. 151 



used it is not the bit itself which causes so much suf- 

 fering to the horse world, but the evil lies in the strap 

 or chain which is fastened to the rims of the curb and 

 tightened under the jaw. 



The common plea for the use of the curb is that 

 t is a safeguard against accident in case the horse be- 

 comes unruly. While in a very few instances the curb 

 lay perhaps have helped to control a fiery, vicious 

 orse, by the intense pain caused, almost always it tends 

 strongly to spoil a horse's disposition, irritating him 

 and making him unwilling to obey. Many of the runa- 

 ways are caused by the animals getting infuriated by 

 the curb, and reaching the point where the pain is un- 

 bearable. Another plea for the curb is that the horses 

 known as ''pullers'' can not be safely driven without it. 

 The fact is that with many horses it only causes them 

 to be more stubborn, and they get into the habit of 

 bearing down on the bit and feeling its resistance, and 

 expect the contest every time they are taken out. 

 Horses are often broken of the pulling habit by being 

 driven with a plain bit after having been used with the 

 curb, and through kindness instead of brute strength, 

 have become good drivers. The use of this bit destroys 

 the delicate sensitiveness of the mouth, a quality which 

 is so desirable in a good driving horse. ^^ * * * * * 

 Often owners leave the entire charge of their horses 

 to coachmen and grooms, who are willing to resort to 

 any methods whereby their turnouts may be ranked 

 among the smartest, regardless of the suffering of the 

 poor creatures in their care. These grooms are always 

 strong advocates of the curb-bit. 



