178 Bits and Bitthig. 



will be covered by the upper bars ; but it is easy to 

 perceive that, by inclining it a little forward, we may 

 increase the tongue-freedom without making the port 

 itself higher ; this, however, can only be resorted to 

 with a port of veiy moderate height, otherwise the roof 

 of the palate would be endangered by every pull on the 

 rein. 



Again, we have the well-known contrivance of rings, 

 which prevent horses from seizing the bit between 

 their grinders, and thereby neutralizing the lever action, 

 as some will do occasionally ; they are also very useful 

 with what are called " dead mouths," and favor the 

 very desirable process of " champing the bit." These 

 rings may also be advantageously applied to the top of 

 the arch of the port, where this, either on account of 

 its absolute height or its being inclined forward is 

 likely to touch the palate. Where rings are employed 

 they must be very movable, and, to insure this, few in 

 number. 



We have hitherto considered the mouthpiece as con- 

 sisting of one piece, but fashion has introduced a great 

 variety of jointed mouthpieces, and these are much 

 used in England. We may classify these mouthpieces 

 generally into such as, having a common snaffle-joint, 

 are capable of being deflected in every direction ; and, 

 on the other hand, such as, having a hinge-joint, can 

 only be deflected backward and forward relatively to 

 the plane of the bit. In both cases the deflection 

 affords in its own way a certain amount of tongue-free- 

 dom, like the port of an unjointed bit ; but here all 

 resemblance between the action of the two ceases ; for 

 while the pressure, and consequently the action, of the 

 latter is exerted in a direction parallel to the horse's 

 backbone, that of the former, taking a diagonal direc- 

 tion toward the centre, degenerates into a pincer-like 

 gripe, which is wholly unreliable with the snaffle-joint. 



