CAEE AND MANAGEMENT OF HORSES 137 



large extent is natural to the horse. Tender and bad mouths 

 usually result from improper handling. Bad mouths are very 

 aggravating and often the cause of many other imperfections — 

 tongue loUing, crossing the jaws, hobbling, irregular and un- 

 steadygaits, and the like — many of which when well established 

 are very difficult to overcome. 



Bitting the colt. — The young animal can usually be made 

 familiar with the uses of the bit by the application of the bitting 



Fig. 56. — Arrangement of "Bitting Harness" to familiarize the Colt 



WITH THE Bit. 



harness or "dumb jockey." This harness consists of an open 

 bridle with a large smooth bit and check-rein, a surcingle and 

 crupper, and two side-lines running from the bit to buckles on 

 either side of the surcingle (Fig 56). The adjustment of the 

 bridle is important. The length of the head-stall must be so 



