56 ESSAYS ON HORSE SUBJECTS 



to this form of injury to the mouth, as can be 

 understood from the explanation already given. 

 In horses that cannot be made to get their noses 

 in, in riding or driving, and which show evidence 

 of soreness of the mouth in the lining of the 

 cheeks, the front grinders should be kept as 

 smooth as possible. It is impossible for a horse 

 to have a pleasant responsive mouth when the 

 pressure comes upon the cheeks. Nature evi- 

 dently intended the yielding lower jaw to bear 

 the pressure of the bit, with the soft and elastic 

 tongue to aid in avoiding injury to the sensitive 

 structure which covers the branches of that jaw. 

 Many horses which do not bend their heads upon 

 their necks, when used with a snaffle bit can be 

 made to get their noses in with a curb, which is 

 consequently, when rationally used, the more 

 humane and also the much more effectual in pro- 

 moting style and action. Occasionally, however, 

 one finds that a horse goes better in a snaffle than 

 in any other kind of bit unless it is one with a 

 smooth and slightly curved, un jointed mouth- 

 piece. 



In addition to those already referred to there 

 are many other ill-results from sore mouths, and 

 among the more serious of these are the restless 

 and irritable habits horses develop when being 

 ridden or driven out of the stable, such as going 

 off with a rush, rearing, plunging and balking. 



Digitized by Microsoft® 



