rHE OVER-CHECK. 145 



would prevent him from falling if he stumhlerl in a 

 race." 



Over five hundred Yeterinarv Surgeons have signed 

 a paper condemning tight check-reins, as painful to 

 horses and productive of disease, causing distortion of 

 the windpipe to such a degree as to impede respiration. 

 They mention paralysis of the muscles of the face, me- 

 grims, apoplexy, coma, and inflammation as some of tlie 

 results of its use. 



The over-check riein will often cause a horse to 

 become knee-sprung." It destroys the delicate sensitive- 

 ness to the bit Avhich is most desirable in oruidiTisr a 

 horse. 



Dr. Kitching says: "If a horse pulling a load has 

 liis head held in by a check-rein, he cannot throw his 

 weight into his collar, and is hindered from giving his 

 body that position which is the most natural and ef- 

 fective.'' He goes on to speak of the consequent strain 

 of his limbs and muscles, and the injury caused by the 

 constrained position of the head, whereby the breathing 

 and circulation are affected, and the horse made .rest- 

 loss, irritable, and uncomfortable. He says: "The 

 check-rein inflicts unceasing torture upon the animal 

 in another way. By holding the head upward, it puts 

 cite muscles of the neck on a constant strain. They 

 become painfully uneasy and tired. If the horse can- 

 not bear it,, he rests the weight of his head upon the 

 rein, and his mouth is violently stretcjied. Thus, he 



