220 HORSE AND MAX. 



heel becomes inflamed and the terrible navicular 

 disease sets in. Besides, the abnormal strain upon 

 the tendons is so great that they give way, and the 

 horse cannot use its limbs in the natural manner. 



So we find that the gag-rein, which interferes 

 with the neck and spine, also injures the feet. Now 

 we will see how it injures some of the internal organs 

 of the animal, such as the brain, heart, and lungs, and 

 will take the authority of Mr. S. Gill, V.S., as quoted 

 by Mr. Flower. ' Members of the veterinary profes- 

 sion are by no means ignorant of the various diseases 

 produced by the use of the bearing -rein roaring, 

 apoplexy, coma, megrims, inflammation, and soften- 

 ing of the brain, all following the barbarous use of 

 this rein.' 



There is not one word to be said in favour of 

 the gag bearing-rein. No one even pretends to aver 

 that the gag-rein serves any purpose except that of 

 show. Its only object is to hold the horse's head up 

 higher than Nature intended, and as long as that 

 purpose is served the driver is content. 



One would have thought that such a machine of 

 torture as the gag bearing-rein would have satisfied 

 any one, but in America an addition was made to it 

 in the form of the 4 Burr ' bit. Owing mostly to the 

 efforts of Mr. Henry Bergh, of New York, it is now 

 very seldom if ever seen. I looked out carefully 



