340 ANNALS OF THE ROAD. 



head too much towards his partner, his draught rein must 

 be put down to the bit, and that will bring him straight. 

 He should have liberty in his bearing rein, and his curb 

 chain should not be tight. A check rein, to a nose 

 martingal, is often of service here, as it keeps his head 

 steady, and makes him face his work. Generally speak- 

 ing, such horses work pleasanter out of the throat lash. 



For horses with very hard mouths there are many 

 expedients : there is the bit with the double port, and I 

 have seen the Chiffhey bit used with very good effect. 

 Putting the curb chain in the mouth — over the tongue, 

 instead of under the chin — tells well with some horses, 

 as it prevents what is termed a dead mouth. Letting 

 out the head of the bridle in the middle of a stage has 

 also a good effect, as the bit and curb chain then take 

 hold of a fresh place. A check rein is sometimes put to 

 the middle link of a horse's curb chain, as it keeps the 

 bit in the middle of the mouth, and also keeps the 

 mouth alive. 



There is one other move for a hard puller, and that 

 is all I am acquainted with. Put the bearing rein to the 

 top of the bit (not the cheek), and the coupling rein to 

 the lowest loop in the bit ; this creates a counter- action, 

 and not only makes the bit more severe, but keeps the 

 mouth in play. A hard puller is generally safest, 1 and 

 more in place, before the bars than at wheel, and he will 

 pull less with a free partner than a slack one. 



If it can be avoided, a coach horse should not be 



1 With a good pair of wheel-horses, leaders are soon checked. 



