THE KEMBLE JACKSOK CHECK. 179 



A horse that has a long dwelling stroke is compelled to 

 shorten it when his head is thus elevated, and, being 

 quickened in his recovery in a greater ratio than what 

 he loses by shortening his stride, of course goes faster. 

 Horses that have the reverse of this action would in a 

 corresponding manner be injured by the appliance. "When 

 an animal is narrow between the jaw-bones, pulling com- 

 presses the throttle, and the result is roaring, high blow- 

 ing, whistling, according as the area for the passage of 

 air is diminished. The outstretched nose makes a more 

 direct route from the nostrils to the lungs, and the breath- 

 ing is easier. The Kemble Jackson check is proper, then, 

 when a horse throws his head down in a break, and re- 

 fuses to catch his trot only at his pleasure, when the head 

 is thrown heavily on the bit, " hogging," as some term it. 

 There is a modification of this check for an animal need- 

 ing an additional restraint to the usual paraphernalia, for 

 his proper government, but being so narrow between the 

 jaws that the breathing is impeded, and whose action will 

 be benefited by raising the head. The reins run over the 

 forehead, and through the loops between the ears, similar 

 to the Kemble Jackson ; but in place of running to the 

 water-hook, is furnished with gag runners through which 

 the ordinary bearing -rein is run. I never could see that 

 there was much advantage gained, but I have known men, 

 very successful in training, who hold it in high favor. 



The allongeing you mentioned as part of the system of 

 breaking the colts, I have not viewed very favorably, and 

 have imagined that many horses drove on one rein owed 

 the habit to having been so used by calouses forming on 

 one side of the mouth, while the other was natural. I have 

 thought, with other objections, that are perhaps of not 

 much weight, that there is danger to the legs from the 

 violence of the animal, when confined in so small a space. 



