HORSES. 



CHECK REINS. 



77 



The check or bearing reins of a horse answer no good 

 purpose, but are a great evil ; a severe restraint and vexa- 

 tion; confining his head in an unnatural position, by 

 which he is constantly tormented. He cannot travel at 

 ease, nor see impediments in the road, and, when he 

 makes a misstep, is more liable to stumble. 



We have observed that the greatest travellers are those 

 horses whose humane masters have allowed their heads 

 to be free ; and as they draw a load up hill, a motion of 

 the head is perceived, which supports the motion of the 

 feet and legs, in the same way as a man, in walking, 

 assists the motion of his legs by a counteracting motion 

 of the arms. How would a man walk with his arms 

 tied to his sides? Let those who torment their horses 

 with unnecessary restraint, try it on themselves. 



Besides these serious disadvantages in travelling, the 

 horse, by the use of the fixed bridle, is in a painful posi- 

 tion at all times ; even when standing, he cannot rest at 

 ease, but is incessantly tossing up his head, to get momen- 

 tary relief from this painful position ; which violent and 

 constant action produces inflammation and ulceration on 

 the point upon which the head articulates Avith the spine ; 

 hence the poll evil, and here we have the reason for this 

 formidable disorder being almost exclusively confined to 

 carriage horses. 



"We found, a long time since, by experience and obser- 

 vation, that horses would travel better, perform more 

 labor, and were less liable to stumble, when their heads 

 were free ; therefore, we abandoned the cruel practice ; 

 and we hope that it will be totally abolished, and, with 

 that absurd custom of using blind bridles, sink into obliv- 

 ion, so that, in regard to these fashions, our grand- 

 children may laugh at the folly of their forefathers. 

 7* 



