MORE HAPPY THOUGHTS. 257 



so we very properly tie his head up to make him 

 look at the sky, which gives him a very elegant 

 appearance, especially when he gets used to it and 

 takes naturally to what is called " star-gazing." 



' But even then, he might look to the right or 

 left, and so see something or other which it is far 

 better for him not to see, therefore we half blind 

 him. This is a great point, for with his head tied 

 up, and his blinkers on, he cannot possibly see any- 

 thing but the sky, where there is nothing to see, and 

 consequently nothing to frighten him. 



' Sometimes the brute is badly made, being small 

 in the chest, in which case the saddle, or whatever it 

 may be termed to which this bearing- rein is fastened, 

 is pulled forward by it, in which case it becomes 

 necessary to have a crupper to hold the saddle back, 

 and thus in a manner you tie his head and tail to- 

 gether, so that he cannot put down his head without 

 pulling up his tail. 



' I think the above letter gives ample reason for 

 the use of the bearing-rein and blinkers. 



4 1 am so convinced that this is the right and 

 proper way to educate a horse, that I mean, when I 

 can afford it, to have a horse to ride ; and as I suspect 

 I shall not be a very accomplished horseman, I mean 

 to have a hook at the front of the saddle on which 

 to put a good tight bearing-rein this is to keep him 



s 



