There was much pride and quite a bit of showing off – seeing whose horse could operate the quickest, the quietest and with the most grace. Through this came the evolution, refinement – and adornment – of the loose-jaw spade bit, something that came to be considered to be the ultimate example of light-handed control. Is felt during that era, that the loose jaw spade – in gentle, masterful hands – could create a horse instantly responsive, due to the sensitive nature of a horse’s mouth.