88 HORSE MANAGEMENT IN INDIA. 



readily see that the first method, viz., that of pressure 

 by the mouthpiece on the gums and tongue, is the only 

 legitimate one for restraining the horse. The pressure 

 by the curb chain on his lower jaw is a necessary evil, 

 which we should mitigate as much as possible, while we 

 should altogether obviate the possibility of the port 

 touching the roof of his mouth. 



Even if we succeed in getting the animal under con- 

 trol by inflicting pain on him with the curb chain, or 

 port, we will do so, simply by "cowing" him ; in other 

 words, we will make him afraid to " go up his bit," 

 which, if he fails to do, he will neither be safe nor 

 efficient, either under saddle or in harness. 



That curb chains hurt horses in the manner described, 

 is patent to any one who may have seen how restive 

 and unmanageable curbs render many high spirited 

 animals that will go quietly in a plain snaffle. They 

 " chuck up their heads" in the endeavour to save the 

 lower jaw from the painful pressure of the curb chain ; 

 while we will frequently find the part, against which it 

 bears, to be galled and bruised ; in fact, not uncommonly, 

 in old standing cases, a bony deposit is formed on the 

 lower jaw, as a result of continued inflammation. More 

 rarely do we find the palate injured by the port. 



The habits of chucking up the head, and not going 

 up to the bit, so seriously interfere with the comfort of 

 the rider or driver, and with the usefulness of the 

 animal, that it behoves every owner to avoid, by attend- 

 ing to the proper bitting of his horses, the possibility of 

 their contracting such vices. 



The only reason for using curbs at all, is that they 



