IMPROVING ACTION 79 



colt will face it firmly and carry a steady head. 

 In the development of speed, it is also imperative 

 to use an easy bit, but for the production of style 

 and action, a curb bit is almost indispensable 

 for the majority of horses. The inexperienced 

 ones are apt to think that a curb bit is an instru- 

 ment of torture. The ignorant, thoughtless and 

 rough handler of horses can easily make it so, 

 but if it is properly used it is really more humane 

 for use in many mouths, than a less severe one. 

 The curb bit gives very much increased leverage, 

 and will make some horses bend that cannot be 

 made to do so without it. As soon as they bend, 

 it requires very little force to keep their noses 

 in, and very little pressure need be exerted, so 

 that there is no injury nor irritation resulting. 

 In addition to this, the pressure is divided be- 

 tween the interior and exterior of the mouth, the 

 curb chain exerting its share of the pressure just 

 behind the lower lip. 



Some free, courageous horses, especially if 

 short of work, will pull to a most uncomfortable 

 extent, both to themselves and their drivers, if 

 driven with a snaffle bit. The same horses, if used 

 with curbs, will go without taking hold, and with 

 the exertion on the part of their drivers of very 

 slight restraining force. The perfect handling of 

 a horse with a curb bit is a very fine art, by which 

 are produced the perfection of carriage and the 



