112 



HORSE SENSE. 



CAREFULLY SELECT THE BRIDLE BIT ADAPTED TO THE 

 HORSE. 



In the commencement of the harness education of the horse, the 

 selection and adjustment of the bit is of the first importance. It should 

 be of the smoothest character, and adapted to the width of the mouth. 

 Many bits are too long, and a few too short. The bridle should be so 

 fitted to the head as to let the bit rest easy in the mouth; not too 

 long nor too short. The bridle should not be so long in the headstall, 

 ■as to drop the bit so low down in the mouth that the rings of the bit 

 -will be drawn into the mouth; nor should it be so short as to draw the 

 angles of the mouth upwards, and become a constant source of annoy- 

 ance to the animal. 



The question of the proper bit for each horse is one that can only 

 be determined by trial, and if several changes are necessary we should not 

 be discouraged. Try, try again. 



Cut No. 48. 

 TONGUE-LOLLING BIT. 



To the horse that is nervous about keeping his tongue under the bit 

 and constantly trying to get it over the bit and let it hang 

 out at one side of the mouth, this bit shown in Cut No. 48 is well adapted 

 for the purpose, and is just as easy in the mouth as the straight bar-bit, 

 except the annoyance of the plate, which should be kept loose on the 

 bit by keeping perfectly clean. 



ATTENTION TO THE HORSE'S TEETH. 



The teeth of the equine, like the human race in civilized life, require 

 close attention. Generally the dilliculty in the human family is in cut- 

 ting the first set of teeth, but with the horse the greatest trouble is in 

 getting the second or permanent teeth; and as the horse's mouth is a 

 -dark and difficult place to examine, he is frequently left to suffer seri-, 

 ously before proper attention is given to his condition. 



YOUNG HORSES' MOUTHS REQUIRE TO BE LOOKED 

 AFTER CAREFULLY. 



Young horses' mouths should be looked after frequently, to see that 

 the temporary or milk teeth are shed or removed at the proper time, so 

 that the permanent teeth m.ay come in regularly, and leave the grinding 



