196 ANNALS OF THE ROAD. 



should have more liberty in their coupling reins than 

 leaders, not only on account of the pole, but to enable 

 them to quarter the ground if necessary, as also to enable 

 them to put themselves into a proper position to hold 

 back down a hill, which they cannot do if their heads are 

 too much confined. Admitting that some disadvantage 

 may arise from having the leaders' heads too near 

 together, I confess I like to see it. When this is the 

 case, they are so much easier driven. The very turn of 

 the wrist will affect their mouths, and, of course, they are 

 much safer on their feet, for, on the least false step they 

 make, the support of the coupling rein is immediately 

 felt ; whereas, but for it, they might be down before as- 

 sistance reached them from the coachman's hand. In my 

 early days throat-lashing a horse was unknown. To 

 blind horses it is of the greatest service, and it may be 

 truly observed that they could not go with safety the 

 pace they now do without it. Throat-lashing consists in 

 passing each horse's coupling rein through a ring on his 

 own throat-lash, previous to its being buckled to his 

 partner's bit. I have only one other remark to make 

 respecting coupling reins, which is, that as of two reins 

 one must be uppermost at the crossing, one should be 

 buckled to the horse that carries his head highest or is 

 apt to throw his head about, otherwise he will be con- 

 stantly annoying his partner's mouth. When a coach 

 horse runs in and bores upon his partner, thereby driving 

 him off his ground, a side rein is made use of. It passes 

 from the outside check of his bit through the outside ring 

 of his hames, and fastens to the tug buckle. This will 



