238 On the Means generally used 



into this mode of fixing the head, it will be found to operate 

 on a different principle from the bearing-rein. Instead of a 

 simple bit, such as the horse in harness can lean his head 

 upon^ without suffering pain, a bit, calculated to tease and 

 fret, is put into the young -horse's mouth. To relieve, himself 

 from the irritation produced by this, and which is increased by 

 the constant pull of the elastic piece of iron to which the rein 

 is fastened, he curls up his neck, and thus brings all the 

 muscles of the back of tlie neck into strong action, instead 

 of allowing their power to be superseded by the artificial sup- 

 port afforded by the bearing- rein to the horse in harness *. 



Many different contrivances, but all acting nearly on the 

 same principle as the bearing-rein, have been proposed as 

 means for obliging a girl to keep her head erect* 



There is one mode which, to a person ignorant of anatomy, 

 seems to be particularly well adapted for this purpose ; but it 

 is, in fact, more objectionable than the plan of tying the head 

 back with a riband. A piece of lead, of some pounds weight, 



* When the Russians wish to give a horse high action in trotting, 

 they accustom him, while young, to wear heavy shoes on the fore feet. 

 The resistance to be overcome necessarily increases the strength of cer- 

 tain muscles ; and hence, when shoes of the common size are put on, 

 the horse lifts his feet higher than one which has not been subjected to 

 this discipline. Some opera dancers practise with lead weights on 



