1 68 Bits and Bittincr. 



ii 



lower bar inordinately long, because they have no 

 standard of length for the upper one ; whereas, if we 

 adhere to the rule laid down above of i| inches for the 

 latter dimension, we have 3^ inches for the former 

 one, both measured from the line of bearing (see fig. 

 10), and 5^ inches for the entire length of the bit 

 measured from the point at which the curb-hook acts 

 above to that where the lower ring acts below (see 

 fig. 12). This will be the maximum required, and 

 will be found to suffice in all cases ; with very small 

 horses or large ponies the upper bar will have to be 

 reduced to \\ inches, the lower one to 3 inches, leav- 

 ing the total equal \\ inches, which will be about the 

 minimum. 



Some authorities, among these Von Weyrother, re- 

 commended the measured width of the mouth to be 

 taken as a rule for tlie length of the lower bar ; this 

 varies, as we have already shown, from 3^^, 4! to 5^^ 

 inches, and would be, therefore, somewhat more than 

 the rule given above ; but Von Oeynhausen adheres to 

 this latter, and we are convinced that he is perfectly 

 justified in so doing, because we liave it in our power, 

 by means of the mouthpiece, to efiect the nicest adjust- 

 ment that can be desired, and there is a much better 

 chance of having the proper proportions adhered to by 

 the bit-makers if we give them 07ie or two fixed quanti- 

 ties instead of a number of variable ones. 



Next to the dimensions of the bars of the bit, the most 

 important point to be considered is the curb ; or rather, 

 the position of the bit in the horse's mouth, taken in 

 conjunction with the line of the curb, is what determines 

 in the first instance the height of the upper bar, and 

 consequently that of the lower one. The curb ??ittst 

 lie in the curb-groove^ without a?iy tendeiicy to mount 

 up out of it on to the sharp bones of the lower jaw — 

 otherwise, as we have seen, it ceases to be a painless 



