110 HORSE SENSE. 



show evidence of the discomfort he is sufifering in the many ways al- 

 ready described— such as crossing the jaws, going with the mouth open, 

 head to one side, etc. 



IRREGULAR GAITED HORSES OFTEN CAUSED BY BAD 

 MOUTHS. 



In addition to the discomfort and difficulty of driving a horse with, 

 a bad mouth, as well as the danger, especially in crowded streets, and 

 the unsightliness of his carriage, as in turning the head in and out, 

 etc., a bad mouth is apt to produce irregularity in the gait and impaired 

 control of the legs. 



HITCHING AND HOBBLING OFTEN FORM BAD MOUTHS. 

 What is called "hitching" or "hopping" (generaly of a hind leg), 

 although also due to weakness, too heavy a load, driving beyond speed, 

 heavy shoes, etc., is not infrequently due to tenderness or soreness o! 

 the mouth, or to placing the bit too high in the mouth. There is no 

 such thing as a congenital "hitcher." This habit is always the result of 

 bad management. 



HIGH COURAGED HORSES SHOULD HAVE THE MOUTHS 

 TREATED CAREFULLY. 



In high-c5uraged horses, whose mouths have become permanently 

 injured from the bit, it is a difficult matter to overcome the habit; 

 but if the mouth is allowed to heal thoroughly, the bit placed as low in 

 it as the animal will stand and face it with a moderate degree of firm- 

 ness, and not put his tongue over the bit, the fault can often be remedied. 



OFTEN THE UNSTEADY GAIT IS FROM A BAD MOUTH. 



Mixing the gait is usually attributed to want of balance, resulting from 

 an improper distribution of weight in shoeing, and no doubt this is the 

 case in some instances; but the cause should be more frequently at- 

 tributed to the mouth. You will generally find that a horse inclined to 

 mix in gait has an unsteady mouth. He does not take the bit with the 

 necessary firmness, and keeps retracting his tongue, or putting his tongue 

 over the bit, so that the pressure from the bit comes on the branches 

 of the lower jaw, which always gives rise to irritability and a want of 

 confidence in the animal's manner of going. 



HORSE'S GAIT CONTROLLED WITH COMFORT TO THE 

 TONGUE. 



The tendency to mix the gait can usually be overcome by patient and 

 persevering effort to get the tongue accustomed to pressure. The bit 

 should be placed well up in the mouth, and be as comfortable a one as 

 possible. Carelessness in the position in which the bit is placed in the 

 horse's mouth often results in injury to that very sensitive part of his 

 organization. 



