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very fresh, the bearing rein will save considerable 

 arm-aching on the part of the driver, and chafing on 

 the part of the animal. Severity or brute force is not 

 needed in any case, and at all times the end to be ac- 

 complished should not be sought for, or brought about, too 

 hurriedly. The check-rein should always be slackened 

 (if worn tight for the time) in going up hill, and if the 

 opportunity occurs for taking the extra rein off altogether, 

 it may be done ; but it is little carriage, and, the writer 

 would add — no ornament. The less harness and strap- 

 pings a well-broken horse can with safety be made to do 

 with, the better. 



The writer cannot believe that the bearing rein is or 

 ever has been wilfully converted into the instrument of 

 torture, or made to administer one third the amount of 

 punishment that its hidden substitute — the "Gag Bit," (see 

 illustration,) has done ; the working of which can be seen 

 at a glance. And the imaginary charges and ridiculous 

 illustrations that have been published against the bearing 

 rein, is (or was) an insult to the many owners of horses, 

 and proprietors of large establishments, who think proper, 

 and are perfectly justified in using their own discretion, in 

 adopting any means they may try or decide upon for the 

 safety of the " Turn Out," and the public in particular, as 

 the result of experience ; and the author's argument is 

 conclusive when the fact becomes generally known, that 

 the majority of the largest and richest individual horse ow?iers 

 in the kingdom adopt, aiid are known to use, the bearing 

 rein, to all animals where speed and blood are in 

 hand, which fact is proved by the notice that appeared 

 in the Saddlers and Coach- Builders Gazette, dated 

 June I St, 1877, viz: — TJiat at the recent meeti^ig of the 

 Coaching ffour-in-handj Club, in Hyde Park, it was 



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