14 THE HORSEMAN. 



SECTION III. The Bit. 



The bit (see Plate II.) is composed of five principal 

 pieces, viz. : the mouth piece (1), the branches (2), the 

 rings (3), the curb (4), and the cross-bar* (5). The 

 mouth piece is divided into barrel and crook ; the barrel 

 acting upon the bars, and the crook against the roof of 

 the mouth. 



A medium bit has the branches straight, or when the 

 eye of the ring is in the prolongation of the line passing 

 through the centre of the bit and the eye of the cheek 

 pieces. (See Plate III.) 



A bit is mild when the ring at the lower extremity of 

 the branch is in rear of a vertical line drawn through the 

 eye of the cheek piece and the centre of the bit. (See 

 Plate IV.) 



A bit is severe when the-ring of the branch is in front 

 of the vertical line. (See Plate V.) 



To render the severe bit more powerful, the barrel 

 should be straight and small near the branches, and the 

 crook elevated. 



To render the mild bit milder, the barrel should be 

 large near the branches, and almost without crook. 



It will be observed that the action of the bit is on the 

 principle of the lever, and that it is rendered more or less 

 powerful, according to the position or distance of the eye 

 in the cheek piece from the barrel or fulcrum. 



* The cross-bar serves to strengthen the branches of the bit 

 and prevent them from hooking the reins of other horses. , 



