272 



THE HORSE IN SERVICE 



diately executes: In the reverse order the horse may conceive 

 the idea of taking some steps on his own initiative, the premedi- 

 tation of which will be felt by the driver, and if not in order 

 he flashes back counter instructions. This is the advantage of 

 keeping the horse always in hand. 



Intelligent use of the bit requires some knowledge of the 



Fig. 138. — Tongue held back to show the bars (a) of the mouth upon which the bit bears. 



structures of the mouth involved and the methods by which the 

 bit operates. 



Following are the structures with which the bit is more or 

 less in contact, the extent and nature of their importance depend- 

 ing upon the style of the bit: 



1. The bars of the mouth, that region of the lower jaw be- 

 tween the incisor and molar teeth (Fig. 138). 



2. The tongue. 



3. Angles of the lips. 



