HORSES TO JUMP 89 



(4) If the bit is too narrow it will bruise the sides 

 of the horse's mouth and upset his temper. 



(5) If the bit is too wide it may work to one 

 side of the mouth so that the edge of the port 

 may rest on one of the bars of the mouth ; 

 this will cause an uneven pressure and a one- 

 sided mouth. The curb chain, also, instead of 

 having an even bearing all round the chin groove, 

 will press on one spot and cause soreness. 



(6) A long cheek and high port increases the 

 severity of the bit. Too high a port may 

 bruise the roof of the mouth. The tongue 

 fitting into the port produces a stronger bear- 

 ing of the bit on the bars of the mouth ; 

 whereas with a straight bar bit a considerable 

 amount of the bearing is taken on the tongue. 



ONE-SIDED MOUTH 



Generally a horse is more comfortable with 

 sufficient port to give freedom to his tongue. 

 With a one-sided mouth the bit may be 

 dropped a hole lower on the hard side. 



COLDS AND COUGHS 



Young horses coming in from grass to stables 

 are liable to catch colds and coughs, especially 

 if their stables are not well ventilated. The 

 symptoms are a discharge from the nostrils, 



