ON BRIDLING 321 



The proportion of the length between the upper 

 and lower clieeks giAes a proportionate power of 

 action to the bit by means of the curb. The shor- 

 ter the cheeks are above the cannon and the lon- 

 ger they are under the cannon the more the curb- 

 bit acts. Weyrother says that the upper cheeks 

 must be equal to tlie depth of the cavity of the 

 bars and the lower cheeks double, but to find a bit 

 whicli suits a horse it is better to try the upper 

 and lower clieeks of different lengths and see which 

 length gives the curb-bit the power of action which 

 will suit him best without causing him too much 

 pain. A degree of pain must be caused so that he 

 should find the necessity of giving way. If the 

 curb-bit can give no pain at all the horse will 

 not obey it. 



As a rule, the horse, and all other animals 

 yield to a brief infliction of pain and revolt against 

 pain if prolonged. Revolting against brief pain may 

 arise if the horse is particularly excitable, but 

 usually revolting results from provocation of the 

 rider who draws the reins tightly and continuously 

 thus giving the horse continual pain. If we yield 



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