ACTION OF THE HORSE. 227 



hampered with bearing-reins. Even if there be no 

 separate bearing-reins, the leading reins are converted 

 into them by being twisted round the hanies of the 

 collar. 



A horse naturally bows its head and neck at each 

 step, this action being intensified when it is drawing 

 a weight up hill, and adding to the power of draught. 

 Yet some of the horses are * borne up ' so tightly 

 that their heads are nearly immovable, while the 

 others are brought up sharply by the bit against the 

 corners of their mouths each time that they try to 

 add to their power by allowing the head and neck 

 to droop as they step. It is quite pitiful to see the 

 animals straining at their loads on the ' City of the 

 Seven Hills,' as Upper Norwood is popularly called. 

 Four horses will be seen with their heads dragged 

 back, struggling and scratching to pull up the hill 

 a load which would not be too much for three 

 similar horses with their heads free. Seasoning and 

 remonstrance are equally thrown away upon the 

 drivers. They have been used to the bearing-rein 

 all their lives, and cannot be made to believe that 

 they may possibly have been wrong all their lives. 

 If an ordinary carter be told that several railway 

 companies employ some two thousand horses each 

 in similarly heavy work, and never allow the bearing- 

 rein to be used, not the least impression will be made 



q2 



