THE LEVEE, THE BIT AND CURB, ETC. 193 



to ascertain whether any pinching action occurs, in 

 which case there is sure to be something wrong. 



As to the measure of the proper length of the curb, 

 we have already stated it generally ; but each individual 

 case will require a separate adjustment, and if the links 

 be either very large or very small, it will sometimes 

 occur that the difference of one of these will make the 

 curb either too tight or too loose ; we must then, of 

 course, try another curb. If the bit is rigid or stands 

 stiff on the reins being drawn gently, the curb will be 

 too short ; and on the pressure being increased, the 

 horse will almost certainly either turn his mouth askew 

 to avoid the griping action of the mouth-piece, or bear 

 back suddenly to escape it altogether : we therefore 

 give him another link, and drawing the reins gently as 

 before, we observe whether, after the lower bar has 

 moved through an angle of about eight degrees bring- 

 ing the mouth-piece just to meet, as it were, the in- 

 terior of the mouth the horse gives his head gently 

 and gradually in the direction of your hand as it in- 

 creases the pressure, without either poking his nose or 

 shrinking back. If this be the case, you are all right ; 

 but if the lower bar moves through a much greater 

 angle than the above say fifteen to twenty degrees 

 before the horse yields perceptibly, then your curb will 

 probably be too long. 



We say probably, because you may, after shortening 

 and lengthening the curb once or twice, find that the 

 horse will avoid the bit in the first case or remain in- 

 sensible to it in the second in fact, you discover that 

 the mouth-piece is unsuited ; therefore, in adjusting the 

 length of the curb, you must take care to avoid drawing 

 your conclusions too hastily. When you come to a 



o 



