54 MECHANICAL AID OF THE RIDER. [CHAP. 



Bearing- observations on bearing-reins, in the " Bubbles of the 



rein. 



Brunnen," are quite philosophical. They should only be 

 used for purposes of parade, or to acquire greater power 

 over a difficult team, or loosely to keep cart-horses " out of 

 mischief." Sir Francis's observations are also true of the 

 harness used by the peasantry of Nassau which he 

 describes, but this arises from the poverty, not the philo- 

 sophy of the peasants ; those among them, who have 

 money enough to buy smart harness have the most 

 elaborate bearing-reins that I have ever seen. One, a 

 chain, from the lower part of the collar, which binds the 

 horse's chin to his breast, and another over the upper 

 part of the collar, along and above the back to the tail, 

 independent of the terret-pad and crupper. This is 

 tying the horse's head to his tail with a vengeance.* To 



* Of all stupid appliances of man to his horse, the most dense is the 

 Austrian and south German mode of driving the einspanner or single 

 horse or a leader. The rein goes single from the driver's hand, and 

 divides into two at the horse's neck. The driver, therefore, has no power 

 of making a distinct indication on either rein : and to turn, he whips and 

 jerks till the horse guesses his meaning. 



