THE O VER - DBA W CHECK 285 



of the mouth soon become sore and finally unrespon- 

 sive; if too long, the horse becomes careless of the 

 driver's wishes. 



A good -sized straight bit, covered with leather, if 

 the mouth is tender, cannot be improved upon except 

 in a few special cases when a more severe one may be 

 required. "Pullers" are frequently cured of their 

 disagreeable habit when the change is made from a 

 severe bit to a straight, mild one. With the severe 

 bit, the horse was in constant pain and hence ner- 

 vous and excited. Being excited, his only desire was 

 to go. With a bit that gives pain and a driver a little 

 afraid of his horse, it is no wonder that the horse 

 pulls. The horse, at one end of the lines, soon dis- 

 covers the qualities of the man at the other end. 



The crupper becomes necessary if no breeching is 

 used on the harness. The modern fad of driving 

 without breeching is to be condemned. If the horse 

 is reined high, the crupper is almost indispensable. 

 But horses should not be reined high. If the crupper 

 is used, care should be taken to have it fit and to keep 

 it clean, lest it abraid the tail and produce a disagree- 

 able, if not a vicious horse. Last of all comes the 

 check-rein, with or without the over-draw attach- 

 ment. Two radically different practices prevail in the 

 use of the check-rein. Some drivers over-use it; 

 some do not use it at all. Is not a happy medium 

 between these two practices best*? The over-draw 

 rein, if worn tight, is nothing less than cruel. (Fig. 

 83.) It makes the horse hold his head, not only in an 

 uncomfortable, but in an unsightly position, If no 



