280 Outdoor Vices and Whims 



If he is persistent, have the branches curved back- 

 ward. With the Unes attached to the long lever of 

 the curb and the branches curved backward, one can 

 easily compel the most stubborn horse to let go of 

 the bit (Fig. 94, 34 to 36). 



Gnashing teeth. — This is a habit somewhat similar 

 to grasping the bit with the teeth and is caused in 

 like manner. To overcome the habit in case it is 

 confirmed, employ the same kind of curb bit, attach- 

 ing the lines to the long lever of the curb. Then 

 by a slight see-saw motion of the lines one can com- 

 pel the horse to desist. 



Tossing and shaking tha head. — Certain horses 

 have the very aggravating habit of jerking the lines 

 by continually tossing the head up or down, or by 

 throwing it from side to side. Such horses are 

 difficult to drive properly, as they pull the lines 

 through the hands and may throw the lines over the 

 end of a shaft and an accident result. Either habit 

 is due to improper bitting and is often difficult to 

 overcome. The best method of prevention is to ob- 

 tain a short strap about six inches long provided with 

 a loose ring and a snap at either end, to secure in the 

 bit ring on either side so the loose ring will remain 

 under the lower jaw. Now secure a strap to this 

 loose ring under the jaw, pass it down between the 

 front legs and attach to the belly-band similar to 

 a standard martingale. This is a very effective 

 appliance for preventing either habit. 



