TUE BEARING-REIN. 205 



even more ponderous than that which caused such 

 torture to Mr. Flower's horse. 



There is another point to be considered with 

 regard to these heavy bits, and that is, the pain which 

 the cold iron causes to the animal in the winter time 

 when the bit is first put into its mouth. Even in 

 ordinary weather the contact of cold iron with the 

 teeth will cause pain, but in the winter time it must 

 be absolute torture. 



All these bits and curbs are visible proofs that as 

 a rule those who ride or drive, and especially the 

 latter, seem to think that the object of the bit is to 

 coerce the animal, whereas its right object is to guide 

 it. A horse which has been trained to act as a ser- 

 vant and not an unwilling slave, does not need to have 

 his jaws dragged this way and that. All that he re- 

 quires is that his master should let him know what is 

 wanted of him, and he will be only too glad to obey. 

 We shall revert to this branch of the subject on a 

 future page. 



THE BEARING -REIN. 



Cruel as may be the bits which I have mentioned, 

 they are but trifles until they are combined with the 

 Bearing-rein, an invention by means of which the 



