a
reference to a Spanish bit, a piece of horse
equipment created by the Spanish to
handle unruly horses. A bit is a metal
bar that fits across a horse's mouth. It is attached to the reins and is
pulled on by the rider to guide or
control the horse. A
curb is a strap or
chain going under the horse's
chin that works in
conjunction with the bit to provide additional
control of the horse. The Spanish bit consisted of a bit with a large
hump that fitted inside the mouth and a metal circle slipped over the horse's lower jaw, instead of a strap or
chain. If used incorrectly the Spanish bit could agonize the horse's mouth and be painful for the horse.