90 HORSE MANAGEMENT IN INDFA. 



Major Dwyer (Seats and Saddles) has pointed out 

 that if the distance A B (length of upper arm of cheek- 

 piece) is greater than B C (see Fig. I) the curb chain 

 will naturally tend to shift upwards on to the sensitive 

 edges of the branches of the lower jaw, whilst if it be 

 less, the chain may fail to act, by reason of the cheeks 

 of the bit tending to come into a straight line with the 

 reins, when they are drawn tight. Hence we may 

 assume that the upper arm of the cheek should be of 

 such a length, that the distance from the centre of the 

 mouthpiece to where the curb hooks act, should be equal 

 to the thickness of the lower jaw at the chin groove. I 

 have found that for, ordinary horses, it is advisable to fix 

 the length of the upper arm of the cheek-piece measur- 

 ing from the lower edge of the mouth-piece to the ring 

 on which the curb hook acts at 2J inches (see Fig. II). 



Major Dwyer also points out that, in order to insure 

 the curb chain remaining in the chin groove, the mouth- 

 piece should lie directly opposite to it (see Fig. I.) The 

 usual rule is that it should be placed an inch above the 

 tushes of horses, and two inches above the corner 

 nippers of mares. This arbitrary method, besides placing 

 the bit too high, does not allow for the differences in the 

 sizes of different mouths, nor for the frequent variation 

 found in the position of the tushes. 



Major Dwyer's rule does not provide for the tendency 

 the mouthpiece has to shift upwards, on the reins being 

 drawn tight, for the headstall, by reason of its pull on 

 the eyes of the upper arms of the cheek-pieces of the 

 bit, causes the mouthpiece, and consequently the curb 

 chain, to ascend. Hence, I think, the reader will find 



