The Lcvc?'^ the Bit and Ciirh^ etc, 163 



count In estimating the relative lengths of the upper and 

 lower bars of the bit. — See fig, 10. 



The measure for the length of the upper bar of the 

 bit, taken from the "line of bearing" to the point at 

 which the curb-hook acts, is the height of the bars of 

 the horse's mouth, which, as has been shown in a pre- 

 vious chapter, is pretty nearly a constant quantity — 

 namely, i^ English inches, decreasing with very small 

 horses and ponies to i-j^; therefore, rejecting too great 

 nicety, we may say that i| inches is the proper length 

 for the upper bar — very seldom less, and hardly ever 

 more. 



It would be very easy to demonstrate mathematically 

 why these two dimensions should always correspond, 

 but we prefer the simpler and more obvious way of 

 showing what the consequences of a departure from the 

 rule must necessarily be. 



If one puts a bit into a horse's mouth without attach- 

 ing a curb to it^ when the reins are drawn the bit turns 

 right round, and its bars or branches come to lie in the 

 same line as the reins. There is no lever action what- 

 ever, because there is no prop, and a snaffle or bridoon 

 would, on account of their centre joint, be much more 

 efficient. The same thing, too, will happen if the curb 

 be very loose : the bit is then said to " fall through " — 

 in fact, it is nearly useless. The opposite fault to " fall- 

 ing through " is when the bit " stands stift'" without any 

 play, the slightest pull on the reins causing the horse 

 great pain, and, most probably, just in the wrong place 

 — that is to say, externally ; for this stiffness or rigidity 

 of the bit is very often produced by a tight curb, and 

 therefore the horse, instead of following the rider's 

 hand, pokes against it. Good bitting will be equally 

 removed from stiffness and falling through : it lies 

 bet\veen these two extremes. 



7'he length of the upper bar of the bit will, however, 



