20 THE ART OF 



where the bit gives liberty to the tongue, 

 that is to say, of the length of about one inch 

 and a half, if not, its action in the mouth would 

 be false. It is also necessary, that the rest be 

 made half a finger from the place where the 

 bit gives liberty to the tongue, otherwise the 

 nether jaw and the tongue would be wounded ; 

 that the lip of the horse be so exactly lodged 

 that the mouth piece cannot be seen at all ; in 

 a word, that all the pieces of the bit, be well 

 polished and well joined. The curb should 

 bear flat, immediately below the bone of the 

 under jaw, for higher or lower, its effect would 

 be almost nothing. 



The power of the bit should be proportioned 

 to the size of the mouth. Where too much 

 iron is used, that is to say, a mouth-piece too 

 thick for a mouth but little open, it necessarily 

 causes the lip to wrinkle ; on the contrary, if 

 it is not sufficiently strong for the slit, it enters 

 too much forward, and it is then said that a 

 horse drinks his bridle. 



Although a good mouth is not injured by 

 any bit, it is better to use a mild one, in order 

 to preserve it a long time in a good state. 



As to horses that have defective mouths, or 

 that resist the bit, you must correct these 



