BRISTOL CARTERS. 231 



They also know that, according to Professor 

 Fleming, the bearing-rein ' does not prevent stum- 

 bling, but, on the contrary, predisposes the horse to 

 fall, and with much more severity than if it were not 

 used.' Lastly, putting the welfare of the horse out 

 of the question, the bearing-rein adds to the expense 

 and weight of harness, and mves additional trouble 

 in keeping it clean. There are some firms which do 

 not include the bearing-rein in their estimates of 

 harness, and, if the buyer insists upon having it, a 

 separate charge is made for it. 



A few years ago I had the pleasure of giving a 

 lecture on the subject at Bristol. I think that nearly, 

 if not quite, four hundred carters and other drivers 

 were present. Bristol being on very hilly ground, 

 the bearing-rein was almost universally employed. 

 However, after much discussion, many of the drivers 

 did see the mistaken ideas under which they had 

 been labouring, and in order to keep each other in 

 countenance, were formed into a society, the mem- 

 bers of which wore a little rosette, by which they 

 could be distinguished. 



I was rather amused with one of the men. After 

 having abandoned the bearing-rein for a few days, 

 he was so delighted with the result, that he procured 

 two additional rosettes, and fastened one on each 

 side of the horse's head. 



