MEXICAN RING BIT. 77 



presses and exercises its masterly functions, but with 

 double the severity of the curb. Across the middle of 

 the arch in the bar of the bit there is a small bar from 

 which hang two or three coj^per tags, which act on the 

 same principle as those on the mouthing bit and for the 

 same purpose. 



This ring bit is used with a single rein. In handling 

 the lasso it is most effective. , Its simplicity and con- 

 venience recommend it for the expeditious manner in 

 which it can be put on, there being no curb or extra 

 parts to look up and fit on ; but we recommend it only 

 to the hand that is skilled in its use and w^ell balanced 

 in the saddle. No novice should use it before putting an 

 old horseshoe in his own mouth and letting some awk- 

 ward fellow drive him round a while with it and chuck 

 him now and then. That would give him an idea of 

 how his horse would suffer in uncultivated hands. The 

 ring bit is a terror to all horses subject to its control. 

 The best made ring bits are manufactured in England. 

 The cut given represents one of English manufacture, 

 intended for a large horse. We bought the original in 

 the city of Mexico and used it under protest on a favorite 

 horse we took there from New York. Some horses don't 

 take to it. It is too severe for the timid, high-strung 

 animal, and too cruel if used on a 'Munk-head" or large 

 horse that would not yield to it. In our opinion the 

 ring bit is fit only for small horses that can be stopped 

 short, turned round and thrown back at will. The large 

 ten hundred weight horse cannot bring up such a heavy 

 body suddenly in answer to its severity. Such heavy 

 horses should be trained to its moral rather than to its 

 physical power, i, e., if trained to it at all. 



The system of brute force pursued by horsemen in the 

 East is practiced on small, short-legged horses that can 

 manoeuvre on a limited surface. *^ In France,'' savs 

 Capt. Nolan, "they make their chargers canter round a 



