126 ESSAYS ON HORSE SUBJECTS 



inch long. It has a hole in the centre, so that it 

 can be fitted on the mouth-piece of the bit, and a 

 slit running from the circumference to this hole, 

 so that it can be taken off or put on, as occa- 

 sion requires. 



When it is put on it is placed on one end of the 

 mouth-piece of the bit, right up against the cheek- 

 piece of it, with the bristled surface towards the 

 horse's mouth. If the mouth-piece of the bit is 

 of proper width, the bristles do not prick the skin 

 of the horse's lips, unless he voluntarily presses 

 on them. After he has pressed on them a few 

 times, finding they are uncomfortable, he usually 

 stops doing it; then they don't hurt him. 



This is the object of a burr, namely, to keep 

 a horse from pressing on one side of the bit. A 

 horse that presses forcibly on one side of the bit, 

 which habit is usually called side-lining, is very 

 difficult to guide, as he takes an unyielding grip 

 of the bit, usually holds his head to one side, and 

 pulls to an extent most uncomfortable to his 

 driver, and most wearing to himself. Anxious, 

 ambitious, free, high-strung horses are apt to get 

 into this habit, unless their mouths are properly 

 educated to the bit, and their general handling 

 and management good. 



Not the least important amongst the exciting 

 causes is insufficient and irregular work, causing 

 a horse to get what is often called "above him- 



