n the smooth. He may certainly, out
of contempt for its very smoothness, perpetually try to get a purchase
on it, and that is why we attach large discs to the smooth bit, the
effect of which is to make him open his mouth, and drop the mouthpiece.
It is possible to make the rough bit of every degree of roughness by
keeping it slack or taut.

(4) See Morgan, op. cit. p. 144 foll.

But, whatever the type of bit may be, let it in any case be flexible.
If it be stiff, at whatever point the horse seizes it he must take it up
bodily against his jaws; just as it does not matter at what point a
man takes hold of a bar of iron, (5) he lifts it as a whole. The other
flexibly constructed type acts like a chain (only the single point
at which you hold it remains stiff, the rest hangs loose); and while
perpetually hunting for the portion which escapes him, he lets the
mouthpiece go from his bars. (6) For this reason the rings are hung in
the middle from the two axles, (7) so that while feeling for them with
his tongue and teeth he may neglect to take the bit up against his jaws.

(5) Or, "poker," as we might say; lit. "spit."

(6) Schneid. cf. Eur. "Hippol." 1223.

(7) See Morgan, note ad loc. Berenger (i. 261) notes: "We have a small
chain in the upset or hollow part of our bits, called a 'Player,'
with which the horse playing with his tongue, and rolling it
about, keeps his mouth moist and fresh; and, as Xenophon hints, it
may serve likewise to fix his attention and prevent him from
writhing his mouth about, or as the French call it, 'faire ses
forces.'"

To explain what is meant by flexible and stiff as applied to a bit, we
will describe the matter. A flexible bit is one in which the axles have
their points of junction broad and smooth, (8) so as to bend easily; and
where the several parts fitting round the axles, being large of aperture
and not too closely packed, have greater flexibility; whereas, if the
several parts do not slide to and fro with ease, and play into each
other, that is what we call a stiff bit. Whatever the kind of bit may
be, the rider must carry out precisely the same rules in using it, as
follows, if he wishes to turn out a horse with the qualities described.
The horse's mouth is not to be pulled back too harshly so as to make
him toss his head aside, nor yet so gently that he will not feel the
pressure. But the instant he raises his neck in answer to the pull, give
him the