30 HOESE-BREAKIXG. 



to the bridle, whilst others again beheve in a 

 bit having a smooth semicircular mouthpiece. 

 I will now mention these bits in their reverse 

 order. The semicircular bit being only a modi- 

 fication of the circular, I may treat the two 

 as one. Allowing, as they do, no relief to the 

 gums and mouth, through their continued pres- 

 sure on them, they are not qualified to give a 

 colt a good mouth, but at the same time they 

 are most admirable bits for the use of grooms 

 leading horses out for exercise, or even for the 

 horses they ride during exercise, as they are 

 least calculated to spoil a mouth of any bits 

 with which I am acquainted, and as it is a 

 notorious fact that almost every groom (and a 

 good many gentlemen too) hangs on by the bit 

 instead of by the muscular power of his legs, of 

 course the bit which is least severe on a horse's 

 moutli, and calculated to do least damage to 

 it, is the best. Therefore I can confidently 

 recommend both these bits for exercise work, 

 watering bridles, and in fact for any stable 

 work. 



