The Lever ^ the Bit and Curb, etc. iSl 



used, as already mentioned, in the Prussian light cavalry 

 (No. 8, fig. 13). 



These are very similar to a straight-barred bit with 

 moderate tongue-freedom, but with a snaffle-joint at the 

 top of the port ; and their dimensions being in accord- 

 ance with the size and character of the horses, there is 

 nothing irregular in their action, especially as care is 

 taken to put them into the proper part of the horse's 

 mouth. We consider the unjointed bit to be a better 

 and more perfect instrument, especially in the hands 

 of a good rider ; but we must not overlook the fact, 

 that the time of service in the Prussian cavalry being 

 restricted to three years, and, in consequence of the 

 system of recruiting, a considerable number of men 



^i 1 



Fig. 14. 



being brought into the ranks who have no previous 

 habits of horsemanship, there maybe reasons for adopt- 

 ing this jointed bit quite independent of its relative 

 merit. 



We would recommend those who, for hunting or 

 racing purposes, wish to have a sufficient command 

 over their horses, combined with a more decided lean- 

 ing on the bit than is necessary for road-riding or pos- 

 sible for the cavalry soldier, to use what we should be 

 inclined to call a dumpy bit, fig. 14 — that is to say, one 

 whose upper bar is exactly of the dimension prescribed 

 above, but whose lower bar, instead of being double the 

 same, is only about 2I to 3 instead of 3^ inches long, 

 16 



