MOUTHING BITS. 33 



slide his moutli on it from side to side, for 

 which trick the straight mouth-piece with rings 

 has been invented for its eradication. When I 

 say that the colt can, by keeping his tongue 

 more or less elevated in his mouth, prevent all 

 pressure of this bit on his gums and lips, I 

 think I may pass it over as incompetent for the 

 object in view, namely a good mouth. 



The next, and last bit to be considered is 

 the large smooth snaffle, with keys depending 

 from its central ring. 



I consider this to be the best bit as yet in- 

 vented for mouthing a colt. No movement of 

 the tongue can raise it from the gums or lips, 

 the colt can play with it with ease, and seems 

 to enjoy it, instead of continually fighting with 

 it more or less, as he does with the others 

 ah-eady mentioned, with the exception of the 

 circular or semicircular bits. Some people 

 may say it causes an unequal mouth, but I 

 maintain that it does not, for if, as already de- 

 scribed, the animal arches his neck and turns 

 his head to the right, undoubtedly the pressure 



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