32 HOESE-BREAKING. 



martingales so much into use, from its having 

 been used during the so-called mouthing of the 

 colt. 



The next bit under consideration is the 

 large, smooth, straight one, with keys hanging 

 from its centre. So far I have condemned all 

 the bits I have mentioned, but this one will not 

 allow of a mere mention and then a dismissal, 

 it having its strong points, and in my opinion, 

 its weak ones also. Its advocates say it pre- 

 vents the colt from being mouthed irregularly, 

 or in other words that the colt cannot relieve 

 the pressure on its mouth by alternately leaning 

 on either side of the bit. This, I must say, is 

 not reasonable, for if the animal only arches his 

 neck a little more, and turns his head to the 

 right when he is tied with the reins to the 

 roller, the pressure of the bit will be on the left 

 side, thus relieving the right side, and vice versa. 

 Again, these bits seldom fit the colt's mouth, 

 and consequently they either pinch and hurt 

 the mouth, or are much too wide, which is 

 generally the case, thus teaching the animal to 



