THE LEVEK, THE BIT AND CURB, ETC. 



187 



long, selecting some one of the mouth-pieces, Nos. 2, 3, 

 4, or 5, Fig. 14, that may otherwise suit, and placing it 

 accurately opposite to the chin-groove.* Such a bit 

 would be found much more reliable than one of double 

 the dimensions that is badly placed ; and although some 

 authorities recommend for such purposes an ordinary 

 bit placed a little higher in the mouth than its true 

 place, we have found it better to reduce the dimensions 

 of the lower cheek, as you have always a difficulty with 

 the curb, if you once depart from the rule. 



Fig. 15. 



We have hitherto treated the lower cheek of the bit 

 as a straight line, and this is the form usually adopted 

 in common life ; whilst for military purposes various 

 curves are adopted, the best and nicest-looking being 

 nearly in the shape of a capital S. This variety of form, 

 it should be understood, has nothing to do with the 

 action of the bit as a lever : the point of attachment of 

 the lower ring, the centre of the rivet of the mouth-piece, 

 and that of the upper ring or eye, should be in one 

 straight line, and at the same proportional distances 

 from each other, in both cases alike. The real object of 

 the double curve of the lower cheek of the military bit 



* A bridoon should be used with this as with every other 

 regular bit. 



