58 Training the Work Horse 



the importance of correct bitting, many kinds of bits 

 have been devised for training the horse as well as 

 for subsequent use (p. 320). Many of these bits 

 irritate the tender parts and destroy rather than 

 preserve the natural sensitiveness of the lips and 

 bars. While any bit may slightly abrade the lips 

 and bars of the mouth, many of these patent bits 

 produce deep sores. This, of course, renders training 

 to the uses of the bit unnecessarily painful, and may 

 produce a spoiled mouth. 



The proper bit to use depends on the object 

 sought. Thus in training the saddle horse one 

 type of bit is demanded (p. 151) ; in the coach 

 horse another type (p. 134) ; in the trotting horse 

 still another ; and the work horse responds more 

 readily to a bit differing from any of the above types. 

 Whatever kind of bit is used it should be strong, 

 without being heavy and cumbersome. In train- 

 ing the work horse a straight or slightly curved bar- 

 bit with leather guards, and covered with rubber 

 or leather in case the horse's mouth is tender, can- 

 not be improved upon. 



Many training bits are provided with keys at- 

 tached to the mouthpiece, which encourage the horse 

 to champ and thus familiarize himself with the bit 

 (Fig. 94, 26 and 27). While key-bits are useful, 

 especially for those horses which persist in keeping 

 a dry mouth, sulkily refusing to champ the bit, as 

 the keys assist in the work of bitting such an ani- 



