94 HORSE MANAGEMENT IN INDIA. 



The Chifney bit is very severe, and is inapplicable for 

 most horses that are ridden by men with indifferent 

 hands, for its curb chain alone resists the forward action 

 of the upper arm of the cheek of the bit. Thus the 

 whole of the pressure falls on the gums and on the 

 tongue, while none of it is taken by the animal's poll, a 

 part which, I need hardly say, is not sensitive like the 

 other two. 



Snaffles. The following are the most useful varieties 

 of these bits. 



1st. The plain, smooth snaffle. 



2nd. The twisted snaffle. 



3rd. The thin racing snaffle, either twisted or smooth. 



4th. The chain snaffle, in which the mouthpiece con- 

 sists of a chain of 8 or 9 links. For tender-mouthed 

 horses this chain may be covered over with three or 

 four turns of wash leather sewn on. 



oth. The double-ringed snaffle which is similar to the 

 ordinary bridoon of a double bridle, except that two 

 rings are placed on the mouthpiece, inside those to 

 which the reins are connected, for attachment to the 

 headstall of the bridle. This bit is in very common use 

 for harness horses in England. 



()th. The gag snaffle is used with two reins, one 

 being attached in the ordinary manner, while the other 

 is a continuation of the cheek-pieces of the headstall, 

 which pass downwards through holes in the rings of the 

 snaffle instead of being buckled to them and from 

 thence to the rider's hands. When the gag reins are 

 pulled, the bit is forced against the corners of the horse's 

 mouth, which action makes him draw up his head. 



