320 ON BRIDLING 



uncomfortable as they keep the tongue in an unna- 

 tural position. 



The freedom of the tongue is required more in 

 the case of horses which have the cavity of the 

 bars narrow and a large tongue as in this case the 

 tongue does not fit in the cavity but conies out 

 more. If the cavity of the bars is narrow and the 

 tongue large, much freedom of the tongue is requi- 

 red but not so much as to make the arc touch the 

 palate. If the cavity of the bars is wide and the 

 tongue small, it fits in properly and has no pres- 

 sure from the bit and the bit does not require any 

 freedom for the tongue. 



The measuring curb-bit invented by Weyrother 

 is very convenient for taking the breadth of the 

 cannon as it can be made narrower and wider; and 

 especially for trying the length to be given to the 

 upper and lower cheeks because these can be made 

 shorter or longer to ascertain which degree of 

 action is best suited to the sensibility of the diffe- 

 rent mouths. The cannon should be of the same 

 breadth as the mouth ; if larger it does not remain 

 firm and if narrower it presses the lips. 



