62 



THE BRIDLE BITS. 



dered incapable of some possible performance necessary 

 in the course of their duties. 



It is necessary to have perfect control of the cavalry 

 horse in action. For this purpose the bar of the cavalry 

 bit is arched to such a degree that when the rein is drawn 

 backward, the arch is pressed forward against the roof of 

 the mouth, and thus pries it ojDen, while the curb chain 

 presses on the under-jaw, which combined action brings 

 the head down in subjection to the hand, or causes him 

 to rear. No liorse could swallow this bit if nothing broke, 

 and he is, therefore, always under control. But there is 



Fig. 22.— MOUNTED POLICE BIT. 



a limit to the frequency and the degrees of this use of 

 such a bit, for an undue application of it keeps a nervous, 

 sensitive animal on the dance, fret and sweat while he is 

 on duty, and, besides tiring, takes out of him the vim and 

 lire that could be reserved for a better purpose Avhen 

 required for tiie benefit of the service and not for the 

 vanity of the rider. This bagging and yanking at the bit 

 is done, perhaps, some twenty times an hour while the 

 horse is under the saddle, whereas once or twice a day on 

 such duty might suffice, if necessary at all. 



Bits such as these are used mercifully in countries 



