Year: 1885

page_text: I, HENRY ANDREWS. of the Craven Arms, Hungerford, in the County of Berks,
Horse-breaker and Licensed Victualler do hereby declare the nature of this.
invention to be as follows:
My improved bit is designed to render easy the "mouthing" or chewing the bit
of sulky tempered horses which my bit effects by opening the corners of the
mouth, and it also enables a rider or driver to hold-in the hardest pulling horse.
This result is owing to the employment of a novel description of “]
'players"
which I find in actual test to secure the before named advantages.
The "players" of a bit are the metal adjuncts placed on the mouth-bar of the
bit, to afford play to the horses tongue, and facilitate chewing of the bit.
The "players" in my invention are of polished steel and somewhat resemble in
shape a miniature "Bradoon" bit or a "Wilson" bit without the extra ringa
They are composed of three rings made of about 1 steel of about 1 inch to
1 inch in external diameter, one ring at either end of the “players” and one in
the centre, which is rather smaller than the end rings.
These rings are connected by short steel links or bars about 1 inch in length and
about thick having eyes in each end through which the rings pass.
The end rings embrace the centre bar of the bit and slide to and fro easily
thereon.
My improved "players" can be used on bits of various kinds such as a
or "Pelham" bit for riding purposes or a ring-snaffle" for driving.
"Snaffle"
They can be made to act so severely on a horse's mouth, without doing harm, by
pulling through the mouth, that the hardest pulling or bolting horse can be
immediately stopped.
Once the corners of the horse's mouth are forced open by the side action of the
players" the muscles of the jaw must relax and the stubbornness of the animal
inevitably gives way.

page_text: I, HENRY ANDREWS of the Craven Arms, Hungerford in the County of Berks,
Horsebreaker, do hereby declare the nature of my invention for AN IMPROVED
HORSE-BIT and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly
described and ascertained in and by the following statement:-
:
In the management of horses, when either driving or riding, an animal is
frequently found extremely difficult to control by means of the ordinary bit, and
this is especially so when the animal has a trick of seizing the bit between his
teeth.
5
( A sulky or hard-mouthed horse is often able to defy all the efforts of his rider to
compel him to submit to direction or control.
My improved bit, is designed to ensure obedience, without having recourse to
harshness or cruelty.
It effects this in a truly scientific manner, by opening the angles of the animals
mouth, when the muscles of the jaw at once relax, "play" is afforded to his tongue,
and the animal's obstinacy is overcome with comparative ease..
,,
It is found in practice, that if a horse can be induced to "mouth or chew the
bit, he can be readily brought under control.
"
My improved bit effects this by the employment of a novel description of
'player's," which I find by experience, and the test of actual use, to be unfailing
in securing the submission, and prompt obedience of the horse.
The "player's" of a bit, are the loose metal adjuncts placed on the mouth-bar
of the bit, in order to afford "play" to the horse's tongue, and facilitate, the
relaxed condition of the jaw, which accompanies the chewing of the bit.
The "player's" in my invention somewhat resemble a miniature." Bradoon" Bit.
They are composed of three polished metal rings, one in the centre, and one at
each end, connected by two links, or bars of similar metal.
The end ring's embrace the mouth-bar of the bit, and slide freely upon it, the
links or bars, and centre ring, hanging loosely from the end rings.
These rings are about one inch, to one inch and a half-inch in external diameter,
varying with the size of the bit.
These "players" can be attached to any ordinary bit, such as the "Snaffle" or
"Pelham" for riding or the "Ring Snaffle" for driving.
My form of "players" increases to an enormous extent the power of the rider
over the animal, as it prevents rigidity, of the muscles of the jaw, and if pulled
sharply through the mouth, it acts with sufficient severity, to check, and control
the most unruly horse.
In the accompanying drawings,
Fig. 1. represents a bit drawn full-size with my "players" attached. In this
f

page_text: Fig. 2. represents another form of my "players," in which bars are used instead
of links. I prefer this pattern for most purposes.
A shews the mouth-bar of the bit.
E. is the bar.
Having now particularly described, and ascertained the nature of my said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is
1. A novel description of "players" applicable to any ordinary bit for horses,
and consisting of three rings with intermediate links or bars, sliding freely on the
mouth-bar of the bit, as hereinbefore set forth.
2. The combination of a horse-bit of any ordinary pattern with “players” of the
description herein described.