TAKING MEASURE FOE THE BIT, ETC. 203 



cheek has been attained. Of course, as we go on from 

 step to step with the adjustment, the straps of the 

 headstall, and subsequently those of the reins, must be 

 buckled into the respective rings ; and when, as a final 

 step, the bridoon has been fitted and the curb hooked, 

 the horse may be mounted and tried/ 1 ' 



In making this trial, those who have hitherto not 

 paid much attention to the subject will do well to take 

 account of the whole circumstances of the case the 

 temperament, build, &c., of the horse, the uses to which 

 it is to be devoted, and whether it has ever been bitted 

 before or not. If the trial-bit be really well adjusted, 

 and the rider have a good hand, the horse will at once 

 take to the bit, or at least give a promise of doing so,, 

 and nothing more will be required than to read off all 

 the dimensions from the trial-bit, in order to have a 

 proper one constructed ; if, on the other hand, its 

 action be found unsatisfactory, the lower rings, the 

 mouth-piece, or the upper bar must be shifted till it 

 does suit. 



It should be borne in mind that the greatest defect 

 a bit can have is to fall through or capsize that is to 

 say, describe a large circle before the horse shows itself 

 sensible to the lever-action. When this takes place to 

 the extent of the lower cheek forming nearly or alto- 

 gether a straight line with the rein, there is no lever- 

 action whatever, and a good snaffle would be more 

 powerful. This falling through may depend on the curb 

 being too long, or on the upper cheek being absolutely 

 too short, or on the lower one being proportionately too 

 long, especially in cases where the conformation and 



* Messrs. White and Coleman, saddlers, 4, Bishopsgate Street 

 Without, London, have patterns of the trial-bit and mouth-gauge. 



