BEARING REINS. 55 



unsafe, and soon get broken knees by the en- 

 deavour to improve their carriage by a martingale 

 or running rein." 



Bearing reins ^ side reins ^ and running reins. — I 

 would dispense with the use, in breaking, of these 

 three appliances, as ordinarily employed ; for the 

 first acts by exerting pressure on the corners of the 

 bars, while the other two tend to keep the head in 

 an unnaturally low position. Were the side reins 

 lengthened out so as to act as a properly arranged 

 standing martingale (see page 70), or were the 

 running reins attached high up on the saddle; as 

 near as possible on the level of the withers^ their 

 use would be wholly unobjectionable. With the 

 long reins (see page 172), the standing martingale 

 (see page 70), and driving pad (see page 166), the 

 horse can be quickly taught to carry himself 

 properly, without any injurious effect being pro- 

 duced. 



