SADDLERY AND HARNESS. 517 



are aggravated by faulty reins. A contest arises between a restive liorse 

 and an intemperate master. The contest, which from the earliest period 

 alarmed timidity in the animal, has just excited the man, when the reins 

 fly asunder. The scared quadruped finds itself suddenly released. The 

 creature understands nothing of the cause ; but the first impulse natural 

 to fear is to fly from the presence of the power against which it has been 

 struggling. Whenever the horse displeases its master, pain inflicted by 

 whip, bit, or spur generally ensues as a natural consequence. It is from 

 such torture that the poor life endeavors to escape. Motion increases its 

 terror as the unshackled being dashes blindly onward. An accident is 

 the probable result. The coroner and the jury assemble ; a verdict, which 

 all approve, is formally delivered ; but no one thinks of inspecting the 

 reins to discover the real cause of injury. 



Reins should always be attentively examined. If good, they look 

 pleasant to the eye, and are yielding to the touch. Any roughness, 

 harshness, or hardness denotes the presence of defective leather. It 

 may not break to-morrow or the next day, but before long the rein will 

 separate. The slightest indication of a crack will gradually become an 

 extensive division. Messrs. Gibson have often been honored with com- 

 mands to export reins, the foreign leather being harsh and inelastic, 

 therefore feeling unpleasant to English hands ; but more frequently the 

 natives of this country are afraid to employ reins exhibiting innumerable 

 cracks, everywhere displaying the roughness which should not exist, 

 and being totally deficient in the suppleness which ought to be abund- 

 antly present. 



When reins are intended for the use of ladies, their character should 

 be unexceptionable. Many girls, before they have conquered the seat, 

 depend, in no slight degree, upon the reins 

 for retaining their positions in the saddle. 

 They of course understand nothing about 

 saddlery. They accept anything which is 

 offered ; but the sudden snapping of the reins 

 always terrifies the steed, while it greatly 

 alarms the gentle being on its back, whose 

 fears are increased by finding herself instan- 

 taneously deprived of a support on which 

 her inexperience had depended. Ladies' 

 reins, being made lighter, should be cut from 

 better leather than those intended for gen- ^ lady's bridle. 



tlemen ; if there be a possible choice, it should 



be accorded to the weaker party. Some horsewomen like the reins and 

 the head-piece to be formed of rounded straps. Thus made, they cer 



