HOW TO DRIVE ONE HORSE OR A PAHl. 101 



many different pairs of horses which, from the appearance 

 of the W' orking holes, Avere never altered since they were 

 new. Now, we might have a pair of horses equal as to 

 l^eiight and everything which, goes to make a nice 

 match; but supposing one should have a short neck and 

 the other a long one, how are we going to get them to 

 drive handy unless we have the reins so that each horse 

 shall each have an equal share of them? One coupling 

 rein might have to be six, or even nine holes shorter 

 or longer than the other, as the case might be. Take 

 for instance two horses which shall be exactly alike in 

 height and length. One horse might bend his neck a 

 little more than the other, conseiiuently briugliii^- the n s? 

 a little nearer the chest, making two or three holes 

 shorter in the coupliug rein necessary to bring it to the 

 proper position. Coachmen who use bearing reins have 

 less trouble in bringing their horses together than those 

 who eschew them. All coach, horses that are used for 

 heavy carriages in town, such as landaus, D'Orsays or 

 eight-spring Victorias, look better and dri^e easier wdth 

 them. 



Cobs and ponies look as well without them, having 

 shorter and stiffer necks. Therefore, there is really no 

 utility in using them. Bearing reins, like other parts 

 of harness, should not be used as fashion dictates, but 

 as necessity requires. Driving a journey without bear- 



