322 Harnessing the Colt 



it than with the bar bit. It not only gives more 

 room for the tongue, but the pressure is more evenly 

 distributed on the jaws than with the bar bit. When 

 properly arranged this is a mild or medium bit and 

 a most useful one, but when drawn too tightly by 

 the lines it has a tendency to pinch the jaws and may 

 cause the horse much pain. This pinching effect 

 is made use of in devising severe bits; thus we have 

 bits of the jointed type containing a double mouth- 

 piece (Fig. 94, 9, 11, 12 and 24). Perhaps these 

 are the severest kind of bits. 



The severe bit should never be used unless it is 

 absolutely necessary. While there are many kinds 

 on the market, they each have for their main object 

 that of punishment, which is always to be avoided, 

 as it destroys the natural sensitiveness of the mouth. 

 Such a bit often provokes the horse to lugging. 

 This habit often can be overcome by changing from 

 a severe bit to a mild one. With the former the ani- 

 mal was in constant pain, and hence very nervous 

 and excited. Being excited, his only desire was to 

 go, which suggests that the severe bit should be 

 discarded whenever possible. This is especially 

 true of animals with tender mouths. In training 

 and controlling horses, the bit should be regarded 

 as a means of conveying to the animal our wishes 

 and not as an instrument of torture. 



While the mild or medium bit is the one to use 

 as a general rule, there are times when a severe one 



