Bits
The steel contrivance attached to the bridle inserted in the horse's mouth, to which the reins are attached. Bits are of many patterns, but for all practical purposes they may be divided into few classes. The only snaffle used for harness horses is the ring snaffle, which has two rings at each end. To drive double ring is to buckle the reins to both rings. To drive single ring is to buckle the rein to one ring only, so that when the rein is drawn it acts through the other ring; this is a severer form. Of curb bits there are the Liverpool and Buxton patterns.
The former has a mouthpiece which shifts up and down; it has its advantages, but is liable to pinch a horse's lips. The Buxton was invented by an amateur of that name. The ports are of different heights, and of late years bits with india-rubber mouthpieces have been used.