HARNESS — KICKING-STRAP. 153 



be carried very higli and in an unnatural position. Indeed 

 it is a severe gag in the mouth, possessing all the faults 

 and giving rise to all the evils of the bridoon and bit, with- 

 out any advantages, unless it be the extreme elevation of 

 the head by the fulcrum or crown of the head, over which 

 this contrivance plays. 



To close this notice of a Kemble Jackson bridle without 

 protesting against its use, would be a dereliction of duty 

 to an animal that deserves better treatment at our hands. 

 Happily, however, its use is not general among our horse- 

 men, but is confined chiefly to some livery and sales stables, 

 to create the impression to the simple in such matters, of 

 the extra style and show of an animal designed to be parted 

 with or sold whenever a price can be obtained — and is one 

 of the means adopted to attract attention of customers by 

 a display of his style and high carriage. 



The Kicking-strap. — This is not the contrivance 

 exhibited to audiences by so called " horse-tamers,^' but 

 a plain strap passing over the loins of the horse when in 

 harness, and buckled to a strap passing round the shafts 

 of the wagon. By its use when so attached, the mere 

 effort to kick by raising the hind parts, elevates the shafts 

 and front part of the wagon, thus keeping the vehicle at 

 all times at good distance from ordinary kicking horses 

 heels. In Europe, the kicking-strap is used on all road 

 horses, instead of the ordinary breeching, looks better, and 

 is less cumbersome. 



Four-in-hand. — However much we admire this drive. 



