196 BITS AND BITTING. 



but this can never justify the use of the enormous bits 

 that are commonly used. We should doubt very much 

 whether 5 per cent, of the horses used in harness in 

 these islands really require bits with cheeks of greater 

 dimensions than those shown in Fig. 13, p. 170 ; that is 

 to say, If inch for the upper, and 3f inches for the 

 lower part of the cheek, or in all 5J inches.; and we 

 have very little doubt but that at least 90 per cent, of 

 such horses have bits in their mouths that exceed con- 

 siderably these dimensions some more, some less ; not 

 to speak of the 25 per cent, that are tortured with 

 mouth-pieces too wide for, or otherwise unsuited to their 

 mouths, and curb-chains that act altogether on the 

 sensitive part of the jaw-bone. 



Fortunately the use of ring-snaffles is becoming- 

 more general, and this will in the end lead to lighter 

 bitting. In light draught, and especially where the 

 horses are to be used occasionally under the saddle, 

 a very light Pelham with cheeks not exceeding 5 inches 

 will be found useful. The cheek may be shaped into 

 any fashion that pleases the eye ; the main point 

 being, that it should not exceed the proper length. 

 Another form of bit would be with the mouth-piece, 

 No. 8, Fig, 14, p. 181. Those who wish to use un- 

 jointed bits may adopt any pattern they please for 

 the cheeks, but the dimensions should be carefully 

 adjusted. Therefore it is an absolute absurdity to make 

 the cheeks so long, that one is obliged to buckle the 

 reins not into the lowest eye or ring, but into one 

 placed higher up. The lower portion of the cheek 

 should never exceed in length exactly the double of 

 the upper portion, otherwise the action of the lever 

 becomes too rapid and severe ; and even when the 



