DRIVING BITS. /.0 



the driving-rein, and protects the mouth and jaw 

 of the horse from the pressure of the curb- 

 rein ; therefore, 



The Curb-bit should have no other rein at- 

 tached to it than the driving-rein, which should 

 invariably be fixed to the bottom of the check, 

 for the benefit ' and security of exercising the 

 utmost power on the horse's mouth. Never- 

 theless, if the mouth is " tender/ 5 (very sensi- 

 tive) the driver must guide with his hand light 

 in proportion. Too much power in the hand 

 of the driver cannot be possessed; for even 

 " tender-mouthed " horses may be untractable 

 and run away, as well as "hard-mouthed," or 

 frightened, or " high-spirited" horses ; but, by 

 a firm, steady, and unceasing power of the 

 reins in the jaw (in the manner hereafter des- 

 cribed), aided by the separate bridoon with the 

 running-bearing-rein, the horse or horses can al- 

 most always be held in obedience. Driving-reins 

 should be long, and made of sound thick lea- 

 ther, which cannot stretch. Tape or white- 

 leather reins, which may be thought ornamen- 

 tal, are insecure, because they slip through 



