134 THROUGH STABLE AND SADDLE-ROOM. 



towards restoring the tenderness which should exist 

 in a horse's mouth. 



Now it will be well to explain how a bit should 

 be placed in the mouth of a horse so as to be 

 least annoying to him, and also give the rider the 

 greatest control over him. The following simple 

 rules, as laid down for the bitting of cavalry horses, 

 will be found sufficient for all practical purposes : 



The snaffle should fit the horse's mouth so as to 

 touch the corners of the mouth lightly, but with- 

 out creasing or gagging them. The bit should be 

 placed so that the mouthpiece should rest on the 

 bars (the gums) one inch above the tusk in a horse, 

 and two inches above the corner tooth (the last of 

 the gatherers, or front teeth) in a mare. 



The curb-chain should be loose enough to admit 

 the breadth of at least one finger between it and 

 the jawbone. 



The throat-lash should be loose enough to admit 

 the breadth of three fingers between it and the 

 side of the jaw. 



The noseband (if one is used) should be j:>laced 

 so as to be the breadth of two fingers below the 

 projection on the cheek-bone of the upper jaw, 

 and loose enough to admit two fingers'-breadth 

 between it and the lower jaw. 



' Circumstances alter cases,' but that is the fitting 



