BITS FOE SOKE MOUTHS. 183 



made of a thin steel plate, well padded, and covered with, 

 soft leather. On each side, a small steel pin makes a joint 

 for another plate that extends down the cheek, and is at- 

 tached to the bit, leaving a free motion forward and back- 

 ward, but effectually stopping the bit from rising above 

 where we intend it to stay. This is also a capital contri- 

 vance where horses pull on one rein. When this arises 

 from one side of the mouth being sore, or from the cal- 

 louses I spoke of, horses generally bear on the side that is 

 sore, and, by lowering the bit into a well portion of the 

 mouth, not only gives the mouth an opportunity of getting 

 well, but greatly enhances the pleasure of driving. 



The celebrated writer, Mr. Brindley "Harry Hieo- 

 ver" when appealed to for a remedy to stop a mare 

 palling on one rain, recommended a snaffle, plain on one 

 side, the other very much twisted, placing the twisted part 

 on the side she pulled to, so as to punish that side, and 

 render it as sensitive as the other. This advice I deem 

 wrong ; and any one can convince himself of the fallacy 

 of it, by observing that the animal tries to modify the pain 

 of the pressure of the iron on the wound, by pulling till 

 sensation is not so acute. Should the habit arise from 

 one side of the mouth being calloused, then, by compelling 

 the bit to stay in another part, an opportunity is afforded 

 for the thickening integuments to soften, just as the hard, 

 horny palm of the blacksmith becomes soft when relieved 

 from work. "VVe will now take a retrospective glance at 

 the first part of our training exercises, which is soon to be 

 followed by a stage that will require still more strict atten- 

 tion. Training is not alone, what some have defined it 

 the art of increasing the bodily health and vigor to the 

 highest pitch. If this were the case, the system would be 

 benefited by continuing the exercises for an indefinite 

 period; and, barring accidents, a horse would become faster 

 and stronger the longer he was kept in train. This is true 



