xvi BEARING REINS 215 



to horse -owners the page (141) dealing with the 

 anatomy of the horse's head and neck. After 

 explaining how the heavy head is supported by 

 very slight muscular exertion, the author says : 

 " Probably if those who have to do with the har- 

 nessing of horses were better acquainted with this 

 admirable, natural, mechanical apparatus for holding 

 up the head in a natural and unstrained position, 

 they would think it less necessary to supplement 

 the cervical ligament by an external contrivance for 

 effecting the same object, called the 'bearing rein,' 

 which, however, not being elastic, never allows the 

 head, even momentarily, to be altered in position." 



Thus Sir William was able to support on 

 scientific grounds the views so strongly held and 

 advocated by his father, Mr. Edward Fordham 

 Flower, in the later years of his life. None of the 

 Flower family ever allowed the use of bearing reins, 

 either those settled at Stratford, the inmates of 

 whose stables were well known throughout the 

 county, or Sir William or his father in London. 



On August 28, 1892, Flower received an intima- 

 tion that he was created a Knight Commander 

 of the Bath. The letter was written by Lord 

 Salisbury, and ran as follows : 



MY DEAR SIR I have much pleasure in informing you that 

 the Queen has been pleased to direct that you should be appointed 

 a Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath, in recognition of 

 the valuable services which you have rendered during your tenure 

 of the post which you so worthily occupy. 



I need hardly say that it is a matter of great satisfaction to 



